I would just get more overheard lighting like recessed

I have xenon under cabinet lights throughout my kitchen. It looks crisp and sharp. We love it. They do get hot though.

The value of UCL is as task lighting: there is no countertop shadow cast by overhead light hitting your shoulder. Overhead lights are for path lighting and ambient lighting. Chandeliers and pendant lights are additional task and ambient lights. Over the cabinet lights create a great mood light source. This is why layering of lighting is fundamental in a kitchen.

I have a medium size galley which I recently remodeled. I read a lot on lighting, bit the bullet and read even more on quality UCL lights which I installed. For me, that meant a diffuser on the UCL so many small bright lights didn't reflect off my counter top as well as transformer built in to the piece and low voltage. I spent more than I had to because my GC insisted they be "hard wired" meaning Romex electrical pulled through the dry wall to link to light. Low voltage wiring all the way is much cheaper, but not or as dimmable. And the right dimmer for the voltage and manufacturer is very important to avoid buzzing and delay.

You can save money with good UCL with smaller lights, placed in the middle of the cabinets and forward (not against the wall). I did this (against my designers advice) and have no regrets. Good UCL will give you bright light (3000 is daylight). I ran it above all countertop service.

I highly recommend under cabinet lights and a kitchen lighting plan.

When we re-did our kitchen (in our old home) about 3-4 years go, we had under cabinet lights put in. They didn't run the full-length of the cabinet - but within a few inches on either side, I think.

I actually don't think it was money well spent. My mom talked me into it because she loooooved hers. But she has a large, open kitchen with cathedral ceilings. I had a much smaller galley kitchen with regular ceilings. The under cabinet lights just weren't needed in my kitchen.

We're in a new house now with a bigger kitchen but I still don't think I need the under cabinet lights. In the ceiling in front of the cabinets we have recessed (can) lights which shine plenty of light onto the counters.

So, I think the decision should depend on your kitchen's size and main lighting.

OP - Check the sight lines for this.

Anonymous wrote:OP here. One follow-up question: Is your under-cabinet lighting run the full length of the cabinet (18")? That's another way I'm thinking of saving--getting 12" lights.

We have halogen "hockey puck" lights that are about 2.5 inches diameter and spaced about 12 inches apart. They are spaced so that there are no dark spots on the counters. If you go with a 12 inch light that is centered you might end up with big gaps of light. What does your kitchen designer advise on this? Ours was pretty good on figuring out the lighting.

OP here. One follow-up question: Is your under-cabinet lighting run the full length of the cabinet (18")? That's another way I'm thinking of saving--getting 12" lights.

We have it under every cabinet that is over a work space, which is I think all of them in our kitchen. You will not regret spending the money - they make a big difference.

I don't think this is a must have. It depends on the lighting in your kitchen and also on the cabinets and counter top. If you have dark cabinets and dark counters, then additional lighting under the cabinets may be necessary. Is your kitchen dark or are you doing this because you think it is expected? I don't think it is unless it is actually necessary.

If you have this, do you have it under every cabinet or just a few? I'm trying to decide if this is a good place to save some $$$ (each light is about $75).