how do i hide my under cabinet lighting

Hiding Under Cabinet Lighting in Different Ways

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How do you hide under cabinet lighting wires?

You can also secure the wires under the cabinet using brackets. Under-cabinet lighting is gorgeous, and wires that hang down can seriously detract from them. Between wooden valances, cable protectors, and special panels, there are many options to hide lighting wires.

How do you install under cabinet lighting?

Under-cabinet lighting is often installed through the back of the cabinet, and that will make it easier to hide the wires. You can cut directly into the wall to tuck the wires inside if you are a seasoned builder-owner or DIY enthusiast.

Should you hide wires behind the wall when wiring a room?

If you do this, it will minimize the wire exposure and the wires will essentially be hidden behind the wall. If you are running your wires through the cabinets or from some other location, then hiding wires will be a bigger deal for you.

Where should I place my kitchen light fixtures?

If you happen to choose the option pictured below where the fixture is mounted to the back of the cabinet and up against the wall, you will not see any wires at all. The placement of your lights should be about how the light projects across your counter and back splash and not about hiding wires.

How do you hide under cabinet lights?

1:002:58Episode 54 - Conceal Under Cabinet Lighting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou could add a piece of molding underneath that creates a hollow space an additional hollow spaceMoreYou could add a piece of molding underneath that creates a hollow space an additional hollow space underneath in frame situations.

How do you hide under cabinet lighting plugs?

Use Cable Protectors Tie the cords together with tie wraps and staple them to the bottom of the cabinet. The wire should come from the light to the wall, then go into a groove in a piece of wood that is cut so it's long enough for all of your wires. Put this on top of your bundle and it will be hidden.

How do you hide LED wires under cabinets?

One of the simplest solutions to unsightly under-cabinet wires is using a cable protector. You can secure the wiring into one bundle with tie wraps and adhere it to the cabinet's underside with staples. The wiring length itself should extend directly from the light to the wall.

How do you install under cabinet lighting and hide wires?

One way to do this is by bundling the wiring carefully and compactly into a bundle and then using tie wraps to hold it in place. You can then stick it the underside of the cabinet using staples (being careful of course not to pierce the wiring and ruining all your hard work).

How do you hide wires from lights?

0:405:40How to Hide Light Fixture Cords - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's pretty simple there's a sticky piece on the back it sticks to the wall. You put your cordMoreIt's pretty simple there's a sticky piece on the back it sticks to the wall. You put your cord inside of it you can paint it most of them are all sustainable.

How do you put lights on the bottom of kitchen cabinets?

1:472:54How to Install Under Cabinet Lighting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSimply fasten with the included clips and plug in tape lights work the same way except all you needMoreSimply fasten with the included clips and plug in tape lights work the same way except all you need to do is remove the adhesive backing. And press onto the cabinet. Some even come with a remote.

What kind of wire do you use for under cabinet lighting?

Traditional under cabinet lights run on 120V, which requires thick and bulky Romex wire to be used.

How do you hide LED lights?

1:0512:147 Common LED Strip FAILS and How To Avoid Them - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou should instead install your leds. Inside of a channel with a diffuser. Not only do theseMoreYou should instead install your leds. Inside of a channel with a diffuser. Not only do these channels hide the led strips. Themselves but they're also much easier to mount.

How do you install led coving?

3:355:26How to Install Easy, Inexpensive Cove Lighting - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI just pressed the molding to the wall. Double-check the position and make any necessary adjustment.MoreI just pressed the molding to the wall. Double-check the position and make any necessary adjustment. Then caulk the miters. The LED light tape can be plugged directly into the power cable.

How do you get rid of dots on LED lights?

1. The most commonly requested solution for the “dot effect” is to use a lens to help diffuse the light. Inspired LED's Designer Series panels feature a texturized lens which helps to break up the light cast from each individual diode.

Where do you put LED strip lights under cabinets?

If you want to install under cabinet lighting as task lighting, you should place the strip lights closer to the middle front edge of the cabinets, so the countertop will be exposed to as much light as possible. For ambient or accent lighting, you may want to place them closer to the back edge.

How can I hide my kitchen wires?

The Smartest Ways to Deal with Cords on Your Kitchen CounterHook it up. ... Use a twist-tie. ... Try Velcro. ... Hide them in plain view. ... Or hide them in a drawer. ... Tuck them into a wall. ... Hang up a charging station.

Is under cabinet lighting worth it?

Under cabinet lighting is the easy upgrade to brighten the kitchen and every room in your home. Whether looking for ideas for remodeling or for a quick kitchen update, consider installing under cabinet lighting. This type of lighting is beneficial for everyday use and even increases the overall value of your home.

How do you make cords look neat?

Fasten Cables to Walls With Coaxial Cable Staples. ... Guide Cords Along Delicate Surfaces With Command Strips. ... Secure Bundles of Cables With Zip Ties or One-Wraps. ... Use Painter's Tape in a Pinch. ... Set Up Enough Power Strips. ... Label Your Cords. ... Use Bread Bag Tags if You Don't Have a Label Maker. ... Store Unused Cables in a Shoe Rack.More items...•

How do you cover exposed electrical wires?

Electrical tape is the simplest method of making electric wires safe. You also use tape on capped live electric wires as an extra precaution. Tapes can be used on loose live wires that do not fit the cap. You can simply use tape over the live wire to fit into the cap.

How do you hide wall wires?

How to Hide Wires in a WallUse a stud finder to find a spot between two studs in the wall. Mark the wall where you want the upper and lower holes to go. ... Attach a drywall hole saw bit to a power drill. ... Insert the cord or cords through one of the hole covers. ... Insert the hole covers and push firmly into place.

How do you run LED lights under kitchen cabinets?

2:3915:43How to install LED Strip Lights – Under Cabinet Lightstrips for your ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd so here is my connection for my light strips and we'll plug it in here mount it underneath. We'MoreAnd so here is my connection for my light strips and we'll plug it in here mount it underneath. We're going to create that gap under the microwave. And then extend the light strip.

How do you hide a light switch in a kitchen?

How to hide existing electrical outlets in the kitchenPainted or color matched wall plates.Color matched receptacles.Clear or faux finish decorative wall plates.Removable tile outlet cover.

How many under cabinet lights do I need?

In general, one puck light is needed for every 8–12 in. of cabinet length. This spacing will provide the best uniformity and distribution of light and avoid any dark areas under the cabinets. Incandescent linear lighting comes in two forms: as a light strip or as a linear fixture or light bar.

How do you hide LED strip lights on the ceiling?

Alternatively, you can use coving to provide extra space to hide and install your strips. To achieve this look, buy aluminum coving, which is a strip of aluminum with a recession to place your LED strips, and a raised lip to hide them from view. The lip is low enough to allow the soft and mystical glow to come out.

How do you install LED lights on a ceiling?

Five steps to install LED stripsDecide what kind of lights you want. ... Plan the route, locate a power source, and measure for length of strip. ... Check your ceiling type. ... Install the LEDs on the ceiling. ... Connect the LED strips to power.

How to hide wires under cabinets?

Wooden valances are an excellent way to hide under cabinet lighting wires, and they look great. You can find valances of all shapes, sizes, and colors that can match your cabinets and kitchen overall. All that you need to attach a valance to your cabinet to hide wires is some wood glue.

How much does it cost to hide wires in a cabinet?

You can hide the wires in your under-cabinet lighting for less than $60 in most cases. Simply bundle up the wires so that they’re close together and straight and run them into a cable protector. Cable protectors can be made of wood, plastic, or more, but wood is the best option for cabinets.

How far apart should you space under cabinet lights?

You should generally space out under-cabinet lighting by at least 8”-12” underneath the cabinet. Spacing them out any further than that fails to illuminate countertops and flooring the same way that it would. Under-cabinet lights look great close together when you have a backsplash, granite countertops, or reflective surfaces in the kitchen.

What is the best under cabinet light?

Now, LED lights are considered the best type of under cabinet lighting due to energy efficiency. Besides being energy-efficient, LED lights are long-lasting and bright enough to illuminate the kitchen well. Fluorescent lights are a good option as well, but they’ll run your energy bills higher and won’t last nearly as long as LEDs.

How much space between recessed lights and cabinets?

You want at least between one foot and 18” of space between recessed lights and the cabinets. If they were too close to the cabinets, they wouldn’t be able to shine on the countertops as well. Depending on how far your cabinets stick out, you can place the recessed lights even further away from the cabinets.

What is the heart of a home?

The kitchen is the heart of many homes, and every single detail determines the overall look of the space. Everything from flooring, countertops, cabinets, and lighting is crucial to an attractive kitchen . Under-cabinet lighting can add value to a home, but it can be frustrating when you can’t hide the wires.

How much does it cost to install undercabinet lights?

The materials and lights themselves are inexpensive, but labor can make the cost soar. You could install your under-cabinet lighting for less than $40 per fixture.

What is an adhesive wire clip?

Adhesive wire clips are small plastic fixtures that have an adhesive back. They are good to help with a tidy home. You can thread your wires through the loops on the clips. This will keep them fixed firmly against your cabinets and they will no longer hang down. Adhesive wire clips can also be used with wire wraps to bundle your wires together. If you use wire wraps it will be easier for you to fit more than one cable through the loops and they are popular in DIY family homes.

Why hide wires in cabinet?

You might want to hide your wires inside the cabinet because you cannot remove the electric cord from where it is plugged in.

How to hide under cabinet lights?

You can also use a cable protector which will help how to hide under cabinet lighting wires, but they cannot be moved around without removing them from where they were placed first.

Can you buy cord covers for under cabinet lights?

Cabinet Lighting Wires: You can purchase cord covers which are specifically designed with the purpose of how to hide under cabinet lighting wires.

Can you use wire clips to hide wires?

No tools are needed and they come in many colors so you can match them with your room. Wire clips can only handle a few wires at a time though, so if you need to hide more than two cords, use wire protectors or wood valances. They cannot be moved around without removing the clip from the surface first though, because they lose their adhesive when removed from where they were placed.

Can you run wires down a wall?

If you need to run wires down a wall or somewhere they will be seen, use a cable protector. They are found in colors and finishes that may work for you. If you do not use this option, your wire could get damaged or hurt someone. My advice is to use other options like hiding wires behind the cabinets if possible. You can find these in various lengths and they are easy to cut to size too!

Can you hang a light fixture from the bottom of a cabinet?

Some light fixtures hang up from the cabinet’s bottom. You might not want it to be seen. If that is the case, you can glue a wood valance to the cabinet’s bottom so that it goes out and covers where the light fixture and wiring are. The wiring should also be hidden by tying wraps around it so that they cannot be seen hanging below the wood valance.

Hiding Under Cabinet Lighting in Different Ways

There are several ways to hide under cabinet lighting wires. Choose the most suitable option based on the type of cabinets that you have.

Where To Mount Under Cabinet Lights: 3 Possible Locations

Deciding what is the best placement for your under cabinet lights can be daunting. Each location comes with pros and cons, so you must consider whether you’re looking for a design feature or a functional element.

Hiding Under Cabinet Lighting Wires: Is It Still Worth It?

If you want to install wired lights under the cabinets, concealing the wires will give your kitchen a cleaner, more streamlined look. The only exception is a design feature with exposed wires – but these are generally covered in rope or other stylish materials.

Related Questions

Concealing under cabinet lighting wires is easy, and the task won’t take more than an hour or two to complete. However, you may still have questions. Check out the answers below.

Next Steps

Hiding the under cabinet lighting wires can give your kitchen a beautiful finished look. Under cabinet lights may not raise the resale value of your home, but they can be a practical and aesthetical addition to your space. Hopefully, the methods above will help you conceal the wires like a pro.

How to keep undercabinet lights out of the way?

That is with cable protector. One way to do this is by bundling the wiring carefully and compactly into a bundle and then using tie wraps to hold it in place.

What to do if cable protector doesn't match color?

If the wooden cable protector does not match the color of the cabinet, you can use a suitable stain or paint to make it all look seamless. Or as close to seamless as possible.

How to make a hole and channel in a cabinet?

To create a neat and tidy hole and channel you can use a router. The wooden plank can then slide into place within the cabinet’s interior. To finish you need to use a wooden plank without any openings to cover the completed construction.

Can you hang a light fixture on the underside of a cabinet?

You will find some lighting fixtures tend to hang down somewhat from the underside of cabinets, which is not ideal if you are trying to keep the fixture or just the wiring hidden. This problem can be solved by installing a wooden valance to the underside using some wood adhesive to extend the front face of the cabinet.

Can you hide wires in a cabinet?

Yes, the idea is to keep the wires affixed to the wall or surface as close to the bottom edge at the front of the cabinet as they can, using a slight overhand on the cabinet to keep them hidden.

Can you stain wood furniture?

You can decorate this wood appropriately so that even if you don’t find the right color to match from the beginning, you can use a stain or paint to get it as close to the rest of the furniture as possible.

Can you hide undercabinet lights?

However, there are ways to avoid this happening. By using some forethought, planning, preparation and clever designs, you can hide the wiring for those under-cabinet lighting so that it will look like areas of your kitchen or other dark rooms light up as if by magic.

Placement of the Wiring

Ideally, you would want the lights to be drawing power from an outlet that you don't need to open to get to the power source. This way, you can simply unplug the power strip and plug it back in once you’re done with the wiring.

Wooden Valances

If your lights are installed in wooden valances, then you can use the wooden trim to hide the wiring. You need to first saw off about 1/2 to 1 inch of the top of the wooden valance to hide the wires. You will then need to remove at least 2 inches off the top of all the wooden valance trim pieces.

Inside the Cabinetry

If you have recently installed LED under cabinet lighting and you're tired of looking at the cables and wires, you might want to minimize their appearance.

Cable Protectors

If you are going to use surface-mounted under cabinet lights, you don’t need to worry too much about the wires. However, the next time you see how your faucet and cooktop lights are hidden, you’ll certainly be interested.

Why is concealing lighting important?

Concealing your lighting helps hide unsightly wiring and can help redirect the lighting downwards to higher usage countertop areas, which can be helpful in a kitchen. It’s important to plan your preferred lighting concealment option in advance, rather than afterwards, as you may not be able to add this later.

How high can a puck light be installed?

This cabinet modification also allows the height of the light box to be manufactured as low as 7/8” for simple wiring and up to 6” high, allowing space to conceal electrical outlets to be mounted and exposed on the bottom side of the cabinet for that streamline look. The best part is that it can be removed to allow the installer to drill for wiring, recessed puck lights and electrical boxes. The light box will match the cabinet interior so it esthetically blends with the inside of the cabinet and you’ll hardly know it’s even there.

What is a light valance?

This is a piece of matching straight material that gets cut and attached to the bottom of the cabinet using L-Brackets or Pin Nails from the inside. This type of light valance comes in many different heights, routing and design types. This is by far the most economical choice for your space.

Can you add a bottom light valance to cabinets?

It’s important to plan your preferred lighting concealment option in advance, so your cabinets can be built accordingly. Although it may seem easy to add a bottom light valance moulding afterwards, this is sometimes not possible due to Code Clearance Requirements.

Can you conceal under cabinet lights?

NO CONCEALMENT. Some homeowners prefer to have no under cabinet lighting concealment and don’t mind having the under cabinet light showing. In this case, it is recommended you select a light that has a finished appearance/housing, so it isn’t unsightly to look at.

Is concealment required for under cabinet lighting?

Using an under cabinet lighting valance or a concealment method is an optional and not mandatory. Some opt to have the lighting fixture exposed and forfeit the light valance for a more streamline look. Of course, you’ll want to choose a sleeker lighting and have tidy wiring, as everything will be exposed. Most homeowners would agree that under cabinet lighting is worth investing in.