Under-cabinet lighting eliminates the shadows your body casts on the counter and adds a warm ambient glow. It's one of the most popular and effective kitchen upgrades, with options from plug-in DIY to hardwired.
The options
LED strip (tape) lights give continuous, even light and are the most popular. Linear bar lights are a sturdier, brighter option. Puck lights create pools of light, good for accent. LED is the standard now — cool-running, long-lasting, and low-energy.
Powering it
Plug-in and battery (or rechargeable) under-cabinet lights are fully DIY — stick or screw them up and plug in. Hardwired lighting wired into a switch is cleaner with no visible cords but requires running wiring, which may need an electrician depending on your comfort and local rules.
Placement and colour
Mount the lights toward the front underside of the cabinet so they light the counter, not just the backsplash, and hide them behind a lip or trim so you don't see the diodes. A warm-to-neutral white (around 2700–3500K) suits most kitchens.