Plinth Lights

What Are Plinth Lights?

Plinth lights are small recessed lights that are installed into skirting boards or kickboards, and they are popular for usage as kitchen lighting under lower kitchen cabinets, in bathrooms and in dressing rooms, to name a few places.

Sometimes referred to as kickboard lights, they are fantastic for adding an ambient glow to an area or room. They shine a low-key light that can even be used to improve the safety of a dark spot or walkway, helping to guide an area such as a landing or a hall, for example.

Most LED plinth lights operate on a 12V low-voltage system, making them safe and energy-efficient. Typical cut-out sizes include:

• 15mm micro plinth lights
• 30mm standard plinth lights (the most common option)
• 40mm larger feature lights

They are recessed into the board with a depth as shallow as 8.5mm; Typical models require a depth of 25mm to 28mm. Once installed, only the trim is visible, providing a clean and integrated finish.

LED plinth lights can be used in a variety of ways, which makes them a great addition to your home and a worthwhile investment. You can use warm white plinth lights for night lighting in your stairs and hallways, or RGB plinth lights to elevate visual appeal. Cleverly position them in any way you need them for a touch of light or to enhance an area.

Add a touch of class and style to your kitchen, bathroom, or any area of your room where plinth lights will go. Whatever the layout of your home, you can add and enhance your rooms with a lighting solution such as plinth lights.

Why Use Plinth Lights?

LED plinth lights are a great lighting solution to use - they are continually recommended for usage in bathrooms and kitchens, especially, and they make for super easy cleaning.

They have a slim profile and fit seamlessly into the skirting boards and kickboards whilst providing practical and elegant lighting.

Traditional ceiling lighting is something you should not have to be limited to, as plinth lights are stylish and a modern way of providing the lighting you need for a room without being too harsh or disrupting the ambience of a room.

Compared to LED strip lights, plinth lights offer a more durable, high-end, modern look for kitchen kickboards, with a more secure mounting. They are purpose-built for recessed installation, resulting in a cleaner and more professional finish.

Luxurious and elegant, impress your guests in your kitchen while you entertain them with the perfect lighting illumination around you, or relax and unwind as you bathe in your bathroom with a lovely plinth lighting glow.

The Benefits of Using Plinth Lights

Achieving the right kind of indoor lighting for your home will create a lovely atmosphere that will make you not want to leave. LED plinth lights provide the right balance between practical lighting whilst adding a decorative element and mood enhancement. Below, you will find more on the practical benefits of plinth lighting.

Energy-efficient

The square and round plinth lights that we stock at Simple Lighting are LED plinth lights. LED bulbs are well known to be extremely long-lasting and more energy efficient than traditional types of light bulbs.

A typical 1W LED plinth light costs less than £1 per year to run under normal household usage compared to a 4W halogen plinth of the same light output, making them ideal for evening ambient lighting or night-time guidance lighting.

With an extremely long lifespan, you will not have to worry about replacing the plinth lights in your home for many years to come. Not only that, but using low energy means you will save money on your lighting and your energy bill in the long run.

Environmentally Friendly

As LED plinth lights are long-lasting, they will not need to be replaced as often, and once they have reached the end of their lifespan, they are recyclable, too, which means a win-win for sustainability.

LED light bulbs also contain no harmful toxins or harmful UV rays. This means they are better for the environment in every way, with less wastage due to the lesser need for replacement bulbs and less energy needed to perform.

Budget Friendly

LED plinth lights will not cost a fortune. Although they look sophisticated, luxurious and classy, they will not cost you a fortune to buy and install.

Complete plinth light kits are available with matching drivers included, helping to simplify installation and reduce additional component costs.

If you use plinth lights for the kitchen, bedroom, living room, hallway, etc., you can achieve a lovely atmosphere and ambience in your home without the price tag to go with it.

Stylish Safety Lighting

Who said that safety lighting had to be all practical and not stylish? LED plinth lights can provide an ideal solution to a nightlight and make moving around your home at night a lot easier and less frightening if the dark is something you are afraid of.

Plinth lights can be fantastic at illuminating stairs or across your landing, which makes them useful as well as looking the part. This feature means they are also great for a home with small children, the elderly, or perhaps when you don’t wish to wake up others in your household by turning on the ‘big light’.

For added convenience, some homeowners choose plinth lights with sensor functionality. Motion sensor plinth lights automatically activate when movement is detected, providing gentle illumination for night-time trips to the kitchen, hallway or bathroom without needing to switch on overhead lighting.

Plinth Light Types

There are a variety of different plinth lights that you can buy, coming in different sizes, shapes and colours. Whatever your tastes are or the look you are trying to achieve with plinth lights, we have some to suit everyone's home. 

Colour Changing

Looking for something a bit different and jazzy? We have colour-changing RGB LED plinth lights, complete with a remote control that allows you to change the colour with ease. Brighten up your kitchens and impress your guests with these great lights whilst setting the mood to whatever you wish.

If colour changing is not your thing, we, of course, stock the classic, more neutral colour plinth lights, including natural white, warm white and cool white, too, for whatever your bulb colour preference.

Dimmable

Dimmable square or round plinth lights are brilliant for setting the ambience just right. This is the same with our dimmable LED plinth lights.

It is ideal for whatever you are up to, especially as places such as the bathroom and kitchen are used so often throughout different times of the day. Having the option to alter the brightness of your plinth lights will come in handy.

Dimmable lighting also gives you control over your energy consumption and can save you money on your energy bill by only using the amount of light that you need.

Round vs Square

Round plinth lights are the most popular choice. They are easy to install, blend seamlessly into kickboards, and provide evenly distributed light.

Square plinth lights offer a more contemporary look with slightly bolder visual presence, often preferred in modern kitchens with sharp cabinetry lines.

Size Options

• 15mm micro lights – Minimal and discreet, ideal for a subtle glow
• 30mm standard lights – Balanced output and appearance, most common choice
• 40mm+ larger fittings – Brighter output and stronger visual feature

Choosing the correct size depends on how subtle or prominent you want the lighting effect to be.

Kits vs Individual Lights

Plinth light kits (4x, 6x, 8x, 10x) include a matched LED driver and compatible fittings, simplifying installation and ensuring consistent brightness.

Individual plinth lights are useful when expanding an existing setup or when a custom quantity is required.

Where to Use Plinth Lights

Kitchen Plinth Lights / Kickboard Lighting

Kitchen plinth lights are the most popular application. Installed beneath base units on kickboards, they create a floating-cabinet effect while illuminating the floor area.

For even coverage, plinth lights are typically spaced 30–50cm apart. As a general guide:

Number of lights = Total length in cm ÷ Desired spacing in cm

For example, a 3m run of cabinets would typically require around 6 plinth lights at 50cm intervals, while a 4m run may require 8 lights. Most kitchens use between 6 and 12 plinth lights, depending on layout.

This type of plinth lighting provides subtle night-time visibility, reduces glare from overhead lighting, and enhances the overall kitchen aesthetic.

Staircase & Hallway

Installed into skirting boards, plinth lights provide low-level guidance lighting for hallways and staircases. This makes them ideal for improving safety without requiring full ceiling lighting.

Bathroom Plinth Lights & Other Areas

Plinth lights can be installed under bathroom vanity units to provide soft, low-level lighting that improves visibility at night. They can also create a subtle “floating” effect that enhances the overall bathroom design.

Because bathrooms are higher-moisture environments, it is important to choose plinth lights with the appropriate IP rating for the intended zone. For example, installations near sinks, showers or baths may require IP44-rated or higher fittings to ensure safe operation in humid conditions.

In addition, these bathroom plinth lights work well in other areas of the home where gentle ambient lighting is beneficial. Popular installations include:

• Living room skirting boards
• Bedroom or wardrobe lighting
• Dressing areas

These low-level lights provide practical illumination without overpowering the space, making them ideal for areas where subtle ambient lighting is preferred.

How to Install Plinth Lights

Installing plinth lights is not rocket science. Follow these steps for a clean and professional result:

Step 1: Plan Your Layout

Measure the total length of the kickboard. Space plinth lights approximately 30-50cm apart for even illumination.

Step 2: Mark and Cut the Holes

Check the required cut-out size and depth for your chosen fitting (typical sizes are 15mm, 30mm, or 40mm). Mark positions carefully and drill the correct diameter holes. Ensure that the recess depth is within the required range.

Step 3: Install the Wiring

Most LED plinth lights operate on a 12V low-voltage system. Route the cables behind the base units or through the kickboard before securing the lights. Keep wiring tidy and clear of moving cabinet components.

Step 4: Position the LED Driver

Connect the lights to the LED driver (included in most kits). The driver is typically positioned inside a base unit, where it remains accessible for maintenance and ventilation.

Step 5: Connect to Power

If replacing an existing low-voltage setup, you can DIY and connect to the current power supply. But if a new mains connection is needed, a qualified electrician should complete the final power connection.

Step 6: Secure and Test

Insert the plinth lights into the cut-outs, secure them in place, then test the full run before finalising cabinet panels.

Low-voltage plinth lighting is straightforward to install when planned correctly, and complete kits simplify the process by providing matched lights and drivers.

Can I Use Plinth Lights Outdoors?

The plinth lights in this category are for indoor use only. This is due to them not having the correct IP rating to be used as outdoor lighting.

If you are looking for the perfect outdoor lighting solution, be sure to check out Simple Lighting’s extensive selection of Outdoor Lights and Garden Lights we have available. A range of decking lights is also available. These are specifically designed for exterior use and built with the correct weather-resistant protection.

Why Choose Plinth Lights With Simple Lighting

Choose LED plinth lights with Simple Lighting, and you will not be disappointed. We supply high-quality LED plinth lights suitable for both domestic and commercial settings.

Our range includes round and square plinth lights, multiple size options, complete kits with drivers included, and a choice of warm white, natural white, cool white, and RGB colour-changing options.

We offer competitive pricing across the range, with regular sales and promotions to ensure excellent value without compromising on quality. Trade accounts are also available for installers and professionals.

Browse our selection below and contact us if you need help choosing the right plinth lighting solution for your kitchen or home.