Under Cabinet Lighting
Most kitchens face shadows. Under cabinet lighting solves this by delivering light where it’s needed most. They deliver light directly onto the worktop, where everyday tasks like chopping, prepping, and cooking take place. Bright overhead lights cast shadows on worktops, making tasks harder to do and, at times, unsafe.
At Simple Lighting, our under cabinet LED lights are designed to brighten worktops, improve visibility, enhance food prep safety, and create a kitchen that not only looks great but also feels more comfortable to use. Scroll on to find under cabinet LED lights perfect for your kitchen needs.
What Is Under Cabinet Lighting?
These slim, discreet light fittings go under hanging kitchen cabinets or wall units to illuminate the area directly below them, typically the kitchen worktop.
In kitchens, under cabinet lighting is primarily used to reduce shadows cast by overhead lights and provide focused task lighting for cooking and food preparation.
Modern, energy-efficient LED under-cabinet lights are the preferred choice, as they offer bright, even illumination with low running costs and long lifespans. You can get LED cabinet lights in strip, light bar, puck, and recessed fittings.
Why get LED under cabinet lights in the kitchen?
Key benefits include improved visibility, safer cooking conditions, enhanced kitchen aesthetics, and lower energy consumption than halogen or fluorescent alternatives.
Explore our full range of under cabinet lights to find the right solution for your cabinet layout and lighting needs.
Types of Under Cabinet Lighting
There’s no one-size-fits-all under cabinet lighting. This flexibility enables you to choose from different types of under cabinet lights to meet your specific kitchen layout, desired appearance, and how you use your space.
Each option offers different benefits for task lighting, ambience, and installation.
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights provide continuous, even illumination along the full length of your cabinets. They are highly flexible, which makes them ideal for custom layouts, corners, and longer cabinet runs. They’re also easy to install, so they’re a popular choice for kitchen worktops where uniform brightness is important.
Browse our LED strip lights for slim, discreet solutions that work well for both task and ambient under cabinet lighting.
LED Light Bars
LED light bars are rigid fittings available in fixed lengths, making them easy to plan and install under kitchen cabinets with standard widths. Most light bars are linkable, so multiple units can be attached to a single power source for a clean finish.
Light bars are a good option for kitchen under cabinet lighting if even light distribution and easy installation top your list of requirements. You can check out LED light bar options with multiple sizes to find the perfect fit for your kitchen cabinets.
Puck Lights
Puck lights are generally used to accent more areas rather than to cast broad light. These are perfect for decor shelving, glass cabinets, or smaller on-counter prep spaces where focused lighting is all that is needed.
Surface Mounted Cabinet Lights
They screw or stick directly to the underside of the cabinet. Surface mounted cabinet lights offer flexible location placement, and can be installed in an existing kitchen without pulling out all the cabinets. The super slimline LED flat panel lights are a popular surface-mounted option for kitchen under cabinet lighting.
Recessed & Integrated Cabinet Lights
The majority of under cabinet and under cupboard lights are surface-mounted. These ones are not; they’re instead flush-mounted into the cabinet base to create discreet lighting without visible fixtures. Installation requires precise cut-outs, so make sure to plan properly before mounting them.
Where to Use Under Cabinet Lights
Under cabinet lighting is widely used in kitchens, but you can also find it in bathrooms, bedrooms, and workspaces.
Kitchen Worktops & Food Preparation Areas
Food preparation, cooking, and kitchen cleaning require proper task lighting for both efficiency and safety. Placing lights under wall cabinets directs the beam onto the countertop, eliminating the shadows cast by overhead kitchen downlights.
Linkable under cabinet lights are ideal for kitchens with multiple cabinet runs, allowing you to illuminate the entire worktop from a single power connection. But if you want a more focused light, we have multi-pack options to help you achieve uniform lighting on your kitchen worktops.
Bathroom Mirror Cabinets & Vanity Units
Under cabinet lighting in bathrooms is commonly found beneath mirror cabinets or vanity units. Just remember that these areas require moisture-resistant fittings (recommended at least IP44) since they’re prone to accidental splashes and moisture/steam build-up.
Ingress Protection (IP) indicates the level of protection the fixture is rated for both solid (first number, max 6) and liquid (second number, max 8) ingress.
Warm white lighting is often preferred for bathrooms for a softer, more flattering effect.
Bedroom Storage & Display Shelving
LED under cabinet lights also work well inside wardrobes, shelving units, and dressing areas. They provide clear visibility without taking up valuable space. Slim LED strips and light bars are the go-to for this kind of lighting use.
Office Desks & Workspaces
Under cabinet lighting can also be used beneath shelves or cupboards in home offices to provide focused task lighting for desks and workstations, helping reduce eye strain and improve productivity.
Super-slim under cabinet lights are a great choice, not just for kitchen use but also for office workspaces, as they don’t distract from the overall aesthetic and offer adjustable colour temperature.
How to Choose the Right Under Cabinet Lighting
Choosing the right under cabinet light ensures an easy-to-use, well-illuminated space. Here are some important things to consider when choosing your lights:
Brightness & Colour Temperature Guide
Brightness is measured in lumens (not watts!). For under kitchen cabinet lighting, 300-500 lumens per metre is typically recommended for task lighting, while 200-300 lumens per metre is suitable for softer ambient lighting.
Colour temperature, measured in Kelvin (K), affects how the light appears:
- Warm white (2700K-3000K) – Cosy, soft, and inviting, best for ambient lighting.
- Natural white (4000K-4500K) – Best for kitchens as it offers accurate colour for food prep.
- Cool white (6000K+) – Very bright and clinical… best used sparingly in domestic kitchen settings
High-quality LED under cabinet lighting with a high CRI (Colour Rendering Index) ensures colours appear natural and food looks as it should under your lights.
Cheap imitations with low CRI result in dull, desaturated, or distorted colour rendering.
Power Options: Which Is Right for You?
Under cabinet lighting is available in several power options:
- Plug-In – Easiest to install, ideal for DIY projects since, as the name suggests, you just plug them in. Best for temporary installs. Be wary of visible wires, though.
- Hardwired – Clean (you can hide the wires), permanent installation, requires a qualified electrician.
- Battery – Flexible placement with no wiring, suitable for low-use areas
Linkable systems allow multiple lights to run from one power supply, creating a tidy, professional finish across your kitchen.
Measuring & Planning Your Installation
Measure the width and depth of your kitchen cabinets before choosing fittings. Under cabinet lights should sit towards the front of the cabinet base to evenly illuminate the worktop.
Also consider cabinet spacing, cable routing, and whether you want visible or concealed wiring for your setup.
Choosing Under Cabinet Lighting for Kitchens
The goal for any under kitchen cabinet lighting is clear, practical light. Brightness and colour temperature matter more here than in any other room, as food handling goes beyond just washing and chopping vegetables. For kitchens, a natural white light (4000K) with a high CRI (>90) is ideal because it shows the true colours of your ingredients, helping you better identify whether they’re fresh. Good colour rendering also helps you accurately judge the doneness of your food, avoiding under- and over-cooking.
That’s why positioning is just as important. To maximise the brightness of your under cabinet lights, they need to be positioned towards the front of the cabinets. This is to avoid shadows, particularly over sinks and hobs where safety matters most.
Linkable systems are also especially valuable in kitchens, as multiple fittings can run neatly from end to end with a single power source. That means more even light with less clutter.
Planned well, under cabinet lighting transforms your kitchen into a safer, more efficient, and more enjoyable space to work in.
Installing Under Cabinet Lighting
Most under cabinet lights are easy to install, especially plug-in or battery options. If you can use adhesive pads or a screwdriver, many setups are DIY-friendly.
Your Installation Options
Plug-in lights (easiest)
- Fix in place with adhesive, clips, or screws
- Plug into a nearby socket
- Ideal for quick upgrades, rentals, and low-effort DIY
- Minimal disruption, instant results
Battery-powered lights (most flexible)
- No wiring required
- Attach with adhesive pads
- Great for cupboards, wardrobes, or hard-to-reach areas
- Best for low-use spaces (usually lower brightness)
Hardwired lights (cleanest finish)
- Permanently wired into the mains
- No visible cables or plugs
- Controlled by wall switches or integrated controls
- Must be installed by a qualified electrician
Installation Tips That Matter
- Mount lights towards the front of the cabinet for even worktop lighting
- Plan cable routes in advance to keep wiring clean or hidden
- Use IP-rated fittings near sinks or damp areas for safety and longevity
Why Buy Under Cabinet Lighting from Simple Lighting?
Choosing under cabinet lighting from Simple Lighting means investing in high-quality, reliable performance, and great service from a UK-based specialist. Our extensive range includes everything you need, from ultra-slim LED light bars and flexible strip lights to recessed fittings and fully linkable systems, making it easy to find the perfect solution for any kitchen or interior space.
Trade pricing is available for larger projects, and we have a team of experts on hand to help you choose the right cabinet lighting for your space.
With Simple Lighting, you’re not just buying light fixtures. You’re securing peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is CRI and why does it matter?
CRI (Colour Rendering Index) measures how true colours look under a light. A higher CRI (80+) means food looks more natural and appealing on your worktops.
Are linkable lights worth it?
Yes, especially for longer cabinet runs. They let you power multiple lights from a single source, reducing cable clutter and delivering a cleaner, more even result.
Where should lights be placed?
Install them near the front edge of the cabinet's underside, not in the middle or near the wall. This spreads light evenly across the worktop and cuts down shadows.
Do I need an IP rating?
It’s wise to have some moisture resistance when installing near sinks or hobs. For splash-prone areas, IP44 or higher is recommended.
Can under cabinet lights be dimmed?
Many LED options are dimmable using dimmer controllers. Dimming lets you switch from bright task lighting to a softer evening glow without changing or adding fixtures.
Are battery lights bright enough?
They’re handy during power cuts; however, they’re usually less bright. Best for cupboards or low-use areas, not main kitchen task lighting.
Can I install them myself?
Most plug-in or battery lights are DIY-friendly. Hardwired lights should always be installed by a qualified electrician to comply with UK regulations.
