Under-cabinet lighting for a brighter, more functional kitchen

June 02, 2022

Under-cabinet lighting is a popular way to add extra illumination to your home in a subtle and stylish way. LED strip lights are in high demand for this purpose — they don’t emit heat, they’re energy efficient, and they’re easy to install. Discover how to use LED strip lights to create effective under-cabinet lighting. 

Under-cabinet lighting refers to lights installed beneath wall cabinets to illuminate the countertop surface below. Unlike ceiling lights, which can cast shadows when you stand at the counter, under-cabinet lighting delivers even, targeted illumination exactly where tasks happen.

This improves safety when handling knives, makes it easier to read recipes or packaging, and reduces eye strain during detailed work. Visually, it also helps define work zones and gives the kitchen a cleaner, more polished appearance.

Under-cabinet lighting serves two important roles:

• Task lighting, which provides bright, focused light for cooking, chopping, and cleaning

• Ambient lighting, which contributes to the overall mood of the space, especially in the evening

With smart under-cabinet lighting, these roles don’t have to be separated. The same lights can be brighter and cooler during active hours, then dimmed or warmed later to create a calmer atmosphere without changing fixtures or layouts. 

There are several types of under-cabinet lighting, but LED strip lights are among the most versatile and widely used. Their slim profile allows them to remain hidden beneath cabinets, while their continuous light output prevents uneven illumination or dark gaps along the counter.

Philips Hue strip lights are designed to adapt to different cabinet lengths and layouts, making them suitable for a wide range of kitchen sizes and styles. Check more kitchen lighting ideas.

LED strip lights are particularly effective because:

• They distribute light evenly across long surfaces

• They stay cool, even during extended use

• They are energy efficient compared to traditional bulbs 

• They can be cut or extended to match cabinet dimensions

Because Philips Hue strip lights are smart, brightness and color temperature can be adjusted through the Hue app. This flexibility allows the lighting to adapt to different tasks, times of day, and personal preferences.

Installing LED strip lights under your cabinets is easy, especially with Philips Hue lightstrips — there’s no drilling or rewiring required. Peel the cover off the adhesive backing to attach your strip light to any solid surface. Strip light too long? Cut it to size along the designated cut lines. However, don’t forget that you can even bend it around curved surfaces, so you may not need to cut it at all!

If you want a longer strip light running under the length of your kitchen cabinets, use a strip light extension. With Philips Hue lightstrip extension you can extend them to a maximum length of 10 meters — all you need to do is connect your lightstrips together using the included connector pieces. 

For best results:

• Mount lights close to the front edge of the cabinet to illuminate the work surface directly

• Avoid positioning lights too far back, which can cause glare on the backsplash

• Test placement temporarily before securing strips permanently 

Countertop materials also play a role. Light-colored or reflective surfaces bounce light more effectively, while darker or matte surfaces may require slightly higher brightness settings.

Explore the Philips Hue replacements

Smart under-cabinet lighting adds flexibility to how kitchens function throughout the day. In the morning, brighter, cooler light supports focus and visibility. In the evening, warmer tones help create a relaxed environment without fully lighting the room.

Automations can handle these transitions automatically, while motion sensors provide hands-free convenience—particularly useful when cooking or entering the kitchen at night.

Smart lighting can also support more energy-conscious habits by reducing brightness when full output isn’t necessary.

Explore Philips Hue lighting controls

Although kitchens are the most common use case, under-cabinet lighting works well in other areas of the home. LED strips can highlight shelving, add depth under sideboards, or provide a subtle guiding light in hallways during nighttime hours.

Because smart LED strips are adjustable, they can serve both decorative and practical purposes across different rooms without overwhelming the space.

Under-cabinet lighting is a practical upgrade that delivers immediate benefits: improved visibility, reduced shadows, and a more inviting kitchen atmosphere. When paired with smart controls, it becomes a flexible lighting layer that adapts naturally to daily routines.

From installing under-cabinet lighting for focused task use to creating smart lighting scenes for evenings and gatherings, this approach helps transform kitchens into spaces that work comfortably at any hour of the day.