Under Cabinet Lighting

Under-cabinet lighting, also called under counter lighting, is the task light that makes a kitchen actually work. A ceiling light sits behind you and throws a shadow onto the worktop, so under counter lights fill in that shadow and light the surface where you chop, read recipes and prep. Modern LED strips, pucks and bars are slim, energy efficient and easy to fit, so it's one of the cheapest upgrades that makes a real difference.

What types of under-cabinet lighting are there?

• LED strip and tape for a continuous, even line of light under the whole run.
• Batten and striplights that link together end to end for a neat, wired-in look.
• Puck lights for pools of light under individual cabinets.
• Spotlights surface-mounted for focused light over a specific spot.
• Plinth and kickboard lights for a low accent glow along the base of the units.

Do I really need under counter lights?

If you prep on your worktops, it's the difference between working in your own shadow and having the surface properly lit. Put it on its own switch and it also doubles as a soft night light for the kitchen, so you're not turning on the full ceiling lights for a late glass of water.

Warm white, cool white or daylight?

The colour temperature changes the whole feel of the kitchen. Warm white is cosy and homely, cool white is crisp and easy to prep under, and daylight is the brightest and best for detailed tasks. Here's the same kitchen in all three:

Are they easy to fit?

Many under-cabinet and under counter lights are plug-in and stick on with adhesive, so there's no electrician needed, you just link them along the run and plug in. Linkable strips daisy-chain from one to the next, and some come with a built-in switch or motion sensor so they come on as you reach the worktop. Hardwired versions give the cleanest finish if you're fitting a new kitchen.

Features to look for

• Dimmable, to set the level to suit the task
• Motion or touch sensor for hands-free light
• Rechargeable and cordless options where there's no socket

Buying under-cabinet lighting in Ireland

We stock under-cabinet and under counter lighting from brands including Endon, Searchlight, Saxby and Dar, all available to order online with fast delivery across Ireland and Europe.

Related categories

Browse LED strip lights, kitchen ceiling lights and kitchen island lights, or see all kitchen lights.