If you’ve been planning to add under-cabinet lighting, but dreading the hassle of installing it, don’t worry–we’ve got you covered. Hiding wires in your kitchen cabinets can be tricky and time-consuming, especially if you don’t know where to start. In this informative blog post, we’ll walk you through some simple steps that will make wire-hiding easy and quick so that your under cabinet lighting looks great without all the extra labor!
We’ll show you how to organize those pesky cords behind each countertop with a few tools and through strategic techniques that won’t break the bank. With just a few simple steps on how to hide under cabinet light wires, you can complete this task quickly while keeping your kitchen looking neat and clean. Keep reading for our top tips for hiding kitchen light wires and creating an aesthetically pleasing look!
Why Do You Need to Hide Under Cabinet Light Wires?
1. Reduce Hazards
It’s important to properly hide under cabinet light wires to keep your kitchen looking its best and reduce the potential for tripping hazards. Unsecured cords can get in the way of traffic patterns, creating a potentially dangerous environment. Concealing those cords behind cabinets will also help protect them from accidental damage while ensuring that you don’t have to worry about having an eyesore in the middle of your space.
2. Create a Professional Look
Hiding wires is essential for creating an aesthetically pleasing look in your kitchen. This will make it easier to decorate and design future projects without worrying about the cords getting in the way. Not to mention, it’s much more visually appealing than having bare cords running across your countertop.
Required Items for Hiding Under Cabinet Light Wires
Before you get started, it’s important to make sure you have the necessary tools and materials. For most projects, these items include:
- Zip ties
- Cable clamps
- Power strips
- Adhesive clips/strips
- Drill and drill bits (if needed)
How to Hide Under Cabinet Light Wires in 10 Steps
Step 1: Measure the Space
The first step in hiding wires is to measure the space so that you know exactly how much cord you have to work with and which areas will need extra attention. It’s important to remember that you don’t want your cords to be too short or too long, so take your time and get it right.
Step 2: Clear the Area
Clear out any items that are in the way of wiring, and make sure you have a clean work area before you start. This will help ensure that you don’t trip over anything while working on hiding the wires.
Step 3: Secure the Wires
Secure the wires to the cabinet with either cable clamps or zip ties. Make sure not to overtighten the ties because this can damage the cord.
Step 4: Attach Power Strips
Attach power strips behind each countertop. This will help keep your cords organized and make them easier to access when needed.
Step 5: Secure the Power Strips
Once you have the power strips in place, it’s important to secure them with either screws or adhesive strips so they don’t come loose. This will also help make sure that your cords won’t be able to move around and cause a tripping hazard.
Step 6: Connect the Wires to the Power Strips
Connect your light wires to the power strips and make sure they are securely attached. This will help ensure that all of your lights stay lit without any problems. Connecting the wires to a power strip also allows you to turn off the lights in one area without having to switch them all at once.
Step 7: Drill Holes if Necessary
If your cabinets don’t have existing holes, drill some so that cords can be routed through them. Remember to use the right bit size and always wear safety equipment. Drilling holes can also be used to route the power strips and power cords.
Step 8: Hide the Wires
Once you have all of your wires in place, begin to hide them behind cabinets or under countertops with adhesive clips. This will keep them out of sight and reduce the potential for tripping hazards.
Step 9: Label the Wires
Label all of your wires so that you know which ones are connected to which power strips and lights. This will make it easier to troubleshoot any issues in the future and ensure that all lights stay lit.
Step 10: Test the Lights
The final step is to test your lights to make sure they’re all working properly. Once everything is hooked up correctly, you can enjoy the new lighting in your kitchen.
Hiding under cabinet light wires can be intimidating at first, but it doesn’t have to be. With these simple steps and the right materials, you’ll have those pesky cords out of sight in no time! Not only will this help make your kitchen look more professional, but it will also help reduce potential hazards.
8 Safety Precautions to Follow when Hiding Under Cabinet Light Wires
Although hiding under cabinet light wires can be a relatively simple process, there are certain safety precautions to take in order to ensure that the job is done correctly and safely. Here are 8 safety precautions to keep in mind:
- Turn off the electricity. Before attempting to hide any wires, make sure that all of the electricity is turned off. While the wires may not be live, it is always better to be safe rather than sorry. Keep in mind that it is always best to hire a professional electrician to handle any wiring-related tasks in your home.
- Wear protective gear. Be sure to wear safety glasses, gloves, and other necessary pieces of protective gear when handling or hiding under cabinet light wires. This will help ensure that you do not injure yourself while working with the wires.
- Measure the distance. Before actually hiding the wires, it is important to measure the exact distance from the power source to where you plan on hiding the wires in order to make sure that you are not cutting too much wiring or not having enough wiring to complete the task.
- Check for any exposed wiring and insulation coverings. Make sure that all of the exposed wiring and insulation coverings are still intact before beginning any work.
- Label each wire. It is important to label each wire with a permanent marker or tape so that you know which one goes where when putting everything back together at the end of the job.
- Use quality zip ties. Quality zip ties are essential for keeping all of the wires together and making sure that they are securely hidden.
- Do not over-tighten the zip ties. While you want to make sure that the wires are secure, you do not want to over-tighten the zip ties, as this could cause damage or even breakage of the wiring.
- Test for functionality. Once you have finished hiding the wires, it is important to test them for functionality in order to make sure that everything has been wired correctly.
Following these safety precautions and taking your time will ensure that hiding under cabinet light wires goes smoothly and is completed safely. If you need any additional help with this task, it is always best to consult a professional electrician.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Often Do You Need to Repair the Wiring?
Generally, the wiring of under cabinet lights should not require repairs unless it has been damaged. It is recommended to inspect your wiring every few months so that any issues can be addressed immediately before they become bigger problems. If you notice any signs of fraying or damage in the wires, contact an electrician for professional help.
How Can I Make My Under Cabinet Light Wires Less Visible?
If you want to make your under cabinet light wires less visible, there are several options available. One of the easiest is to use wire clips or adhesive cable organizers to secure the wires in place and keep them out of sight.
You can also hide the wiring behind other objects like molding or baseboards or on the underside of cabinets for a more discreet look. Lastly, you can opt for recessed lighting fixtures that are mounted to the wall or ceiling and come with built-in wiring channels or conduits.
Conclusion
Hiding under cabinet light wires doesn’t need to be a difficult task; with the right planning on how to hide under cabinet light wires and the right materials, you can easily achieve a clean and hidden install.
Whether you choose to go with wire molding or surface wiring, keep in mind that this isn’t going to be an overnight task. It will require patience and careful attention to detail to make sure that your lights are secured and ready for use.
DIYers of all skill levels will appreciate the effort put into hiding their light wires, making them virtually unnoticeable to anyone walking into the kitchen. So, don’t hesitate to go ahead and tackle this project head-on – it can be done! With these tips, you should have no problem figuring out exactly how you want your under cabinet lighting installed. Best of luck with your project!
