LED strip lights win for 90% of kitchens. They provide even, continuous light with no dark spots, use minimal energy (5-10 watts per foot), last 50,000+ hours, and come in any color temperature. Get 3000K warm white with 90+ CRI for best results. Hardwired installation looks cleanest but plug-in works fine if you can hide cords. Avoid puck lights except for accent – they create hot spots and shadows. Skip xenon (too hot) and fluorescent (outdated).

Aim for 200-400 lumens per linear foot of counter. For a 10-foot counter section, that’s 2,000-4,000 total lumens. Task areas (sink, stove prep) need the higher end, while ambient areas can use less. Most quality LED strips produce 300-400 lumens per foot. Always install dimmers – you can reduce brightness but can’t add more if undersized. For reference, a 40W incandescent bulb = 450 lumens, so you’re essentially putting a 40W bulb every 12-18 inches.

Yes, but it’s trickier and costs more. You can’t drill through granite to hide wires, so options are: (1) Surface-mount wire channels painted to match ($50-100 extra), (2) Run wires through cabinet bottom and down inside corners ($100-200 extra labor), (3) Use plug-in lights with cord covers, or (4) Install before backsplash if renovating. Best solution: LED strips in aluminum channels mounted to cabinet bottom – channels hide connections and look professional against granite.

Match your existing kitchen lighting, but 3000K (soft white) works best for most kitchens. It’s warm enough to feel cozy but cool enough for task work. 2700K looks too yellow for food prep. 4000K+ feels too clinical/commercial. If your overhead lights are 2700K warm, stick with that for consistency. Color-changing strips seem fun but most people set them once and never change. Spend money on high CRI (90+) instead – makes food look appetizing and colors accurate.

Hardwired is better if you own the home – cleaner look, wall switch control, no visible cords, and adds value. Costs $300-600 more for electrical work but worth it long-term. Plug-in works great for renters or quick upgrades – just hide cords with paintable channels. If doing any kitchen electrical work, add under-cabinet wiring for just $200-300 extra. Hybrid option: hardwire a switched outlet inside cabinet, then plug in lights – gives switch control without direct wiring.

Quality LED strips last 50,000+ hours – that’s 17 years at 8 hours daily use. However, the weakest link is usually the transformer/driver (5-10 years) or adhesive failing (3-5 years in steamy kitchens). Cheap strips fail within 1-2 years – LEDs dim, colors shift, or sections die. Prevent early failure: buy quality brands, ensure good ventilation, use aluminum channels for heat dissipation, and keep transformers accessible for replacement. The LED strips themselves rarely fail if you buy decent quality.