How to Light a Cabinet

Assess your cabinet lighting needs to determine the best location for fixtures. In areas where the cabinets receive natural light from a window or skylight, lighting is not always necessary. However, in areas such as corner cabinets and on top shelves, a lighting option might be a benefit.

Remove fragile items from your cabinets. Do not attempt to install lighting with the cabinets full. Even if drilling and installation does not damage the cabinet, they may still need to be cleaned of dirt or sawdust.

Find the nearest inconspicuous power source. The lighting will need power to function, but designating a kitchen outlet for this purpose may hinder your ability to use appliances regularly and may not be aesthetically-pleasing. Good locations for a power source are from a power strip behind the refrigerator, underneath the cabinet or above and out of sight. If no outlet is available, battery-operated lighting is another option.

Position a lighting strip in place in the desired location. Mark where you plan to hang the lighting strip with a pencil. Note where screws or brackets will be placed.

Mount the strip in place with screws. If the cabinet is thick wood, you may need to pre-drill the hole to install. Screw tightly in place to prevent the strip from falling loose and damaging the contents of the cabinet.

Run the power cord to the chosen outlet. It may be necessary to drill a hole through a portion of the cabinet to slide a power cord through to direct it to the source.