Under Cupboard lights

Under cabinet lights from Lumination cover LED strip lights and individual LED spotlights for mounting to the underside of kitchen wall units, shelving and cupboards. Every fitting is listed with lumen output per metre or per unit, colour temperature and mounting method. Brands include Saxby and Endon. All options are suitable for DIY installation using adhesive tape or screw-fix mounting without professional electrical work.

Under Cabinet Lighting for Kitchen Worktops

Under cabinet lights eliminate the shadow cast by wall-mounted kitchen units onto the worktop below. When working at a kitchen worktop with overhead ceiling lighting, the body and cabinet units block the ceiling light and create a shadow on the most-used part of the workspace. An LED strip or individual LED spotlights mounted to the underside of the cabinet directs light from directly above the task area, giving shadow-free illumination for cutting, preparation and cooking.

Lumination stocks under cabinet LED strip lights from Saxby that run at 200 to 400 lumens per metre at 3,000 K to 4,000 K. Individual LED spotlights from Endon mount at 30 to 40 cm intervals along the underside of the cabinet and deliver 250 to 400 lumens each. For the full kitchen lighting scheme including ceiling lights and island pendants, browse the kitchen lights hub page.

LED Strip Lights vs Individual Spotlights for Under Cabinet Use

LED strip lights provide continuous, even light across the full length of the worktop run, with no dark patches between units. They suit long worktop runs and kitchens where a seamless light line is preferred aesthetically. The strip is typically 10 mm to 12 mm wide and 5 mm to 6 mm deep, making it easy to conceal behind the lower lip of the cabinet. Individual LED spotlights suit kitchens where the worktop run is broken into shorter sections by appliances or drawers, and where the ability to direct the light source is useful. Both types use a 12 V or 240 V supply and can be linked to the kitchen lighting circuit or run from a plug socket via a driver transformer.

Under Cabinet Light Colour Temperature and Kitchen Finish

The colour temperature of under cabinet lights should match or be close to the colour temperature of the main kitchen ceiling lights for a coherent look. A ceiling light at 4,000 K paired with under cabinet lights at 2,700 K creates a visible mismatch between the upper and lower light zones in the kitchen. Lumination stocks under cabinet LED lights in 3,000 K and 4,000 K to match the most common kitchen ceiling light specifications. The fitting finish should coordinate with the kitchen handle finish: chrome or brushed nickel under cabinet spotlights suit kitchens with matching metalwork. Concealed LED strip with no visible fitting suits handle-less or high-gloss kitchens where visible hardware would disrupt the surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

Most under cabinet lights are designed for DIY installation without a qualified electrician, provided they connect to an existing socket rather than a hardwired circuit. Plug-in LED strip lights and individual spotlights with mains transformer drivers connect to a standard 13-amp socket beneath the cabinet. Self-adhesive LED strip applies directly to the cabinet underside and is suitable for most clean, painted or veneered surfaces. Screw-fix individual spotlights use small screws into the cabinet base panel. For hardwired under cabinet lights that connect to the kitchen lighting circuit, a qualified electrician is required. Lumination stocks both plug-in and hardwired under cabinet options, with the installation method specified on every product page. Free delivery applies to all orders over £75.

For shadow-free task lighting on a kitchen worktop, an LED strip light delivering 250 to 350 lumens per metre is the most effective under cabinet option. This provides a continuous, even light band along the full worktop length with no dark patches between spotlights. Individual LED spotlights at 30 to 40 cm spacing deliver equivalent coverage but in a more directional, punctuated format. The best choice depends on the kitchen: strip lights suit long unbroken worktop runs and high-gloss or handle-less kitchens. Individual spotlights suit kitchens where the worktop is broken by appliances. Lumination stocks under cabinet LED options from Saxby and Endon in both formats, all listed with lumen output per metre and recommended spacing.

For under cabinet lights used as kitchen worktop task lighting, aim for 250 to 400 lumens per metre of worktop length. A standard 1 m kitchen worktop run needs 250 to 400 lumens from the under cabinet source. A 3 m worktop run needs 750 to 1,200 lumens total. This output is supplementary to the ceiling light: under cabinet lights do not need to match the total ambient lumen output of the ceiling. Their role is to eliminate the worktop shadow and provide close-range task light for cutting and preparation. At 3,000 K to 4,000 K, 300 lumens per metre is sufficient for clear visibility of food and cutting boards. Lumination lists lumens per metre on all LED strip products.

Yes, ideally. When under cabinet lights are a significantly different colour temperature to the ceiling lights, the kitchen can feel visually disjointed, with a warm yellow zone at worktop level against a cooler white ceiling. For the most coherent kitchen lighting scheme, choose under cabinet lights within 500 K of the main ceiling light colour temperature. If the ceiling lights run at 4,000 K, use under cabinet lights at 3,500 K to 4,000 K. If the ceiling is at 3,000 K, use under cabinet lights at 2,700 K to 3,000 K. Lumination stocks under cabinet LED strip and spotlights in 3,000 K and 4,000 K options from Saxby, so you can match your existing kitchen ceiling light specification. Our Taunton showroom team is happy to advise on colour temperature matching.

Yes. Lumination stocks plug-in under cabinet LED lights that connect to a standard 13-amp socket using a mains transformer driver. These are the most straightforward under cabinet option for retrofitting an existing kitchen, as they require no electrical work. The driver transformer typically sits inside the cabinet above and connects via a low-voltage cable to the strip or individual spotlights below. On-off and dimmer control can be via the plug socket switch or an inline cable switch. Plug-in under cabinet lights from Saxby are available in 300 mm, 600 mm and 900 mm strip lengths to suit standard UK kitchen unit widths. With over 25 years in the industry, Lumination's team can advise on the right format for your kitchen cabinet dimensions.