If you want to set an aesthetic look to your kitchen or other rooms, installing lighting under the cabinets is a perfect choice. Lighting not only enhances the aesthetic look of the room but also works as task lighting, which makes it more convenient for food preparation.
Under-cabinet lighting improves visibility and safety by reducing shadows and dark spots in the kitchen, especially in areas with limited natural or overhead lighting. Since the lights are installed beneath the cabinets, they don’t take up extra space on the counters.
When you find visible wires under the cabinets, a question arises in your mind how to hide under cabinet lighting wires? which is wasting your whole effort to give an aesthetic look.
In this guide, I will explain various ways, how to hide under cabinet lighting wires which will help you to hide lighting wires and get back the furnished look.
Types of wires commonly used for under cabinet lighting
To make our under-cabinet lighting function properly, we have a variety of wiring types. These wires are a little bit different from each other such as voltage requirements, current load, and the overall safety of the installation.
If you are not confident in your electrical skills, it’s always best to consult a licensed electrician for the job. However, I have listed some common types of wires commonly used for under cabinet lighting.
Standard Electrical Wire: The most common type of wire used for under cabinet lighting is standard electrical wire. It comes in different gauges (thicknesses), such as 14 AWG, 16 AWG, and 18 AWG, and you have to decide which one you require.
Romex Cable: It is made up of two or more insulated conductors, a ground wire made of bare copper, and a moisture-resistant covering. Under cabinet lighting wires run on 120v that’s why you can use a Romex cable.
Striped Wire: Stripped wires come in various distinct colors usually black and red. These colors help us to identify negative and positive connections which makes the installation process more easier. However, these wires are visible under the cabinet.
Wire with Connectors: Some under cabinet lighting comes with wires that have pre-attached connectors to connect the wires without stripping or soldering. these connectors make it more efficient to connect other wires to an existing wire.
Precautions before hiding wires
If you are not an experienced electrician, Don’t go ahead on how to hide under cabinet lighting wires before reading these precautions. It’s essential to take certain precautions to ensure safety and a successful installation.
- Turn off Power: Before working with any electrical wires, it’s necessary to turn off the electric power at the circuit breaker. This will prevent you from any electric shock.
- Avoid Heat Sources: Make sure the electric wires are not installed near excessive heat. The excessive heat may damage the wires which can cause short circuits.
- Avoid Obstructions: Choose the route of wires around the cabinets to avoid obstructions. Sharp edges or door movement can damage the wires.
- Use connectors: Use wire connectors to connect wires because connectors prevent wires from contacting other wires or exposed metal surfaces.
- Follow manufacturer instructions: If you are using a specific under cabinet lighting kit, follow the manufacturer’s installation instructions carefully to ensure correct setup and secure function.
How to hide under cabinet lighting wires?
The under cabinet lighting looks awkward when we find wires of lights visible or not set well. If you are also facing that issue, then I have explained some easier and more effective ways to hide under cabinet lighting wires.
The process of hiding wires varies with the type of wire that you have used. If the wires are thin enough then they can be hidden easily on the other hand if the wires are thick then it needs a solid way to hide properly under the cabinet.
Hide Wires Inside Cabinets
Hiding wires inside the cabinet is an easier, more inexpensive, and less time-consuming process to hide under cabinet lighting wires. You don’t need to have any other material to hide the wire in this process. You can do it in some simple steps.
Drill a small hole inside the cabinet, to pass wire starting at the top and exiting to the bottom. Drill a hole at the front side of the cabinet on the corner where the door is fixed. In this way, the wires will hide behind the hinged side, when the door is opened.
Pass the wires from the top hole to the bottom hole of the cabinet. If there is any extra wire, coil it with zip ties or tape on the upper side of the cabinet. Loss wire can be visible inside the cabinet when the door is opened.
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Use Adhesive Wire Clips
An effective but short-term way to hide the under cabinet lighting wires without damaging the cabinets is the use of adhesive wire clips. The adherence of these strips helps to stick on the surface of the cabinet and save the cabinet from any damage that may cause while screwing.
Plan the best route for wires to run from the lights to the power source. Avoid placing the wires at points that affect the door movements of the cabinet.
Clean the cabinet surface, where you planned to place adhesive strips, with a cleaning cloth to remove any dust because it is crucial for the adherence of the strips.
Peel off the backing of the adhesive wire strips. Firmly press the adhesive wire strips on the cabinet’s surface after some intervals of distance. Leave enough space to secure wires in them.
Carefully pass the wires from the adhesive clips. Make sure they are held strongly but not stretched too much which may cause damage to the wire.
Use Cord Covers
It is another, without using screws, way that might work better on how to hide under cabinet lighting wires. You can use adhesive cord covers with the matching color of your cabinets.
Measure and plane the route of wires, ensuring they are hidden from view and do not interfere with any moving parts such as doors or heat sources.
Clean the cabinet surface, where you planned to place adhesive cord covers, with a cleaning cloth to remove any dust because it is crucial for the adherence of the cord.
Peel off the backing of the adhesive cord covers. Firmly press the adhesive cord covers on the cabinet’s surface where you have planned. If you don’t have an adhesive cord then screw the cord with extreme care.
Once the cover cords are placed correctly, carefully route the lighting wires inside the cords. If there is any extra wire use zip ties to coil it. Now turn on the power supply and test the lighting to ensure everything is going well.
Use Wire Channel Strips or raceway
Wire Channel Strips or cable raceways are typically designed to hold and conceal wires securely. You can buy it at any hardware store with a color that matches your cabinets. It will look more aesthetic or almost invisible.
Same as the above methods, Measure and plane the route of wires, ensuring they are hidden from view and do not interrupt any moving parts such as doors or heat sources.
Peel off the backing of the adhesive cord covers. Firmly press the adhesive Wire Channel Strips or cable raceway on the cabinet’s surface where you have planned. If you don’t have an adhesive Wire Channel Strips or raceway then screw the cord with extreme care.
After placing the channel strips or cable raceway, route the wire from inside them. It provides a professional and organized look to your cabinets.
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Installing LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights are widely used for under cabinet lighting and many other purposes. The installation process of LED light strips is very simple and easy. You can install LED strip lights without damaging the cabinets and without using a single nail or screw.
Plan the area where you want to install LED strip lights. Measure the section where you have decided to place Lights and cut the LED light strips according to the measurement.
Before sticking the LED strip lights, clean the surface where it will be installed. This will help to stick LED strips more strongly and efficiently.
Remove the backing of the adhesive tape on the back of the LED strip. Carefully stick the LED strip to the cleaned surface and firmly press the strips to ensure a secure bond.
If LED strip lights are not adhesive then you can install them with the help of wire channel strips. If your LED strip requires a power supply or adapter, connect it to the strip accordingly manufacturer’s guide.
Turn ON the power supply or adapter to check the functionality of the LED lights. If wanted, use wire channel strips or cord covers to hide the LED strip wires for a spotless look.
FAQs
How to hide under cabinet lighting with a frameless cabinet?
To hide under cabinet lighting with a frameless cabinet install lighting towards the front, just behind the cabinet’s lip, to provide effective task lighting on the countertop. Conceal the lights by placing them behind the cabinet’s lip or using a light channel.
What are the best methods to hide under cabinet lighting wires?
There are some easiest and most effective methods to hide under cabinet lighting wires:
1: Hide Wires Inside Cabinets
2: Use Adhesive Wire Clips
3: Use Cord Covers
4: Use Wire Channel Strips or raceway
How can I hide wires without drilling holes?
Yes, you can hide wires without drilling holes with the help of adhesive wire clips or cord covers. The adherence of these strips helps to stick on the surface of the cabinet or any other surface and save them from any damage that may cause while screwing or drilling holes.
Conclusion
If we install the under cabinet lighting badly, then the wires will be visible which ruins the furnished and aesthetic look of our room. That’s why it is necessary to hide under cabinet lighting wires.
In this detailed article on your problem how to hide under cabinet lighting wires? I have explained 4 ways to hide wires. If you have followed my instructions then I am sure that you have hidden your lighting wires with a little bit of effort.
However, if you have any related questions about this post then you can cross-examine us by leaving a comment in the comment box. We will do our best to resolve your issue.