Cabinet Lights Are Here to Save Your Kitchen from Too-Harsh Lighting-by Christianna Silva

It’s time to lighten up your kitchen—without compromising the atmosphere.

Anthony Masterson

Design trends come and go, but one that seems to have some significant staying power: the dissolution of the Big Light.

The overhead light, also known disdainfully as the big light, is a staple in nearly every room of a typical house. There are a few reasons people are doing everything they can to avoid these fixtures, but primarily, the light they give off is too harsh. Now, there’s a movement to replace it with a more subtle, ambient option—like lamps or wall sconces. But how do you replace the brightest light in your home in a room where brightness is imperative to its functionality?

Related: 6 Little Light Ideas that Will Let You Say Goodbye to Overhead Lighting for Good

The kitchen deserves a lighting scheme that is beautiful but still practical—you do have to see what dish your grabbing and the appliance you’re turning on. Enter: cabinet lights.

While overhead lighting casts shadows and makes your space feel like an office building or supermarket, alternative lighting like in-cabinet and under-cabinet lights make your space look softer and more inviting without taking away any functionality. We first came across the genius idea while scoping out the New York Kips Bay Show House, which provides a plethora of decor inspiration from the most innovative designers each year.

You can add lighting inside your cabinets by using motion sensor lights that automatically turn on when you open the cabinets, have an on or off switch, or come with a remote control. There are options for all of the above that are also either rechargeable or battery-powered, so you don’t have to worry about drilling any outlets into your cabinets. The same goes for under-cabinet lights, but it may be best to have those with switches—so you can maintain the relaxed energy in your kitchen no matter what you’re doing.

Related: 13 Lighting Trends to Brighten Your Home in 2024

These lights allow you to have more visibility and showcase design elements that might otherwise be hidden. And since modern in-cabinet lighting options tend to be energy-efficient and long-lasting, they can be better for the environment. Add in the fact that you can customize them to fit your needs without having to ruin the aesthetic with those glaring overhead lights, and they’re the ultimate solution.

Of course, you’ll need to use overhead lighting sometimes—so don’t remove the bulb from your big light just yet. But, when there’s an opportunity to cultivate the aura in any room, you should definitely take it.

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