This IKEA Under-Cabinet Lighting Solution Gives Kitchens A Modern Upgrade For Less

Many interior designers will agree that lighting has a massive influence on the look of the space, even if it's not top of mind for most people. But light can change the way colors look, it determines where in the room your eye is drawn, and it affects the ambience of a space. In the kitchen, adding under-cabinet lighting is the perfect way to create a layer of light that makes the area inviting and dynamic. And if Joanna Gaines uses this simple lighting to open up a small kitchen, it's definitely worth trying in your home. 

You should add lights under your kitchen cabinets not just because it looks great — it's also a practical choice. It provides better visibility when cooking, handling sharp tools, and it makes it easier to see messes that need to be cleaned. If you're interested, there are plenty of ways to add under-cabinet lighting to your own kitchen that range widely in cost effectiveness. For those with the budget and are doing a more involved remodel, you might consider having lighting built into your new cabinetry from the jump. According to Home Advisor, that may cost you between $230 to $300 dollars per light. Assuming you will need more than one (which most kitchens will), costs can quickly run up into the thousands. To save on cash for the same lighting effect, try opting for a less pricey option like the MITTLED lighting strip from IKEA – priced at just $25 per 18" inch piece.

To install the MITTLED, you will need a bit more than the lights themselves. If you don't mind using a switch to turn your lights on and off right at the source, you can opt to purchase the ANSLUTA LED driver with a cord. You can connect up to 6 different light sources to the ANSLUTA, which then plugs directly into your wall outlet for power. But if you want to turn your lights on from wherever you want in the home, you will want to opt for wireless control of your MITTLED lights. To do this, you'll need to purchase a different driver, called the TRÅDFRI – which can pair with one of IKEA's many light remote controls.

While the ANSLUTA is a more affordable driver at $15, it has its limitations. Because one switch controls all of the light sources, turning the lights on is an all or nothing operation. It also doesn't allow you to take advantage of the MITTLED's dimming feature. For $40, the TRÅDFRI with 30 watts of power will allow you to control your lights remotely, as well as independent of one another. And you also will have the option to dim them. To operate your MITTLED from afar, you'll need a remote that pairs to the TRÅDFRI like the RODRET. The simple gadget is only $8 and allows you to turn your light on and off, as well as control the dimmer, from up to 33 feet away.

Choosing the best under-cabinet lighting for your kitchen will depend on the layout of your kitchen and your specific goals. But for home improvement DIYers, contractors, and interior designers alike, the MITTLED is a beloved option for easily installing under-cabinet lighting without the markup or the fuss. And from a design perspective, the MITTLED is especially great because it is an uninterrupted strip of light housed within a channel that diffuses the light.

Interior designer and lighting expert Patricia Brown of Patricia Davis Brown Designs shares that she prefers this style of LED lighting because "if it doesn't have the diffuser, you're going to get a lot of hot spots, almost like a carnival look." With the diffuser casing, the light will cast a continuous glow on your countertop that provides a more premium look. And for the best illuminating effect, be sure to place your under-cabinet lighting toward the front of your cabinets. Installing them too far back will cause light to be lost.

While strip lights are great for so many reasons, your kitchen may have certain quirks or features where something like a puck light might be a better choice. Or, it may just be your preference! In that case, you can opt for another product in the MITTLED line, like the LED spotlight, which hooks up to the driver of your choice the same way as the strip lights. You can also find wireless options for a great price at other retailers, like Amazon.