Installed the undercabinet lights in a little over an hour. Cost $160 from Inspired LED. It could not have been easier. I used the microwave outlet and just used a 3 way outlet adapter. I'll use the 3rd outlet for a home security camera. All I had to do was drill a few holes to run the cords and used self adhesive LED strip lights. Also got a remote control because it was only a few bucks more than a regular switch. You can adjust from 1%-100% brightness with it. It really makes an aesthetic difference and was basically cheap to do. Also weeks ago I installed a pull out garbage can. $40 at Home Depot and 10 mins to install.
You guys are awesome!! We totally aren't paying $1000 for their under cabinet lights. Saving this post for the lights and the pullout trash...I want 2...1 for recyclables too. ;-) Great job!
ReplyDeleteThanks! By us I don't think they even had an undercabinet light option. Wow a grand is insane! It really was simple. I've read on other people's blogs that they somehow think this is a huge undertaking to do, but it's not. We also wanted the double trash bin, but Unfortunately it was too big for our cabinet.
DeleteYup, just shy of 1k. Took it off our list. I gotta see if we have 2 cabinet eats side by side. Maybe in the gourmet island but I think that will take away baking ware space. I'll have to see in our model house. If not, I can just our recycling in the garage but it's not convenient. I'll turn to you if we have issues with lighting after we move in (not until August). :)
DeleteWow, yeah $1000 is insane. You could buy the lights, fly me out there, throw me a $100 to install and it would still be cheaper. Lol!!!
DeleteYour kitchen looks amazing! We chose not to do undercabinet lighting through RH since it was so expensive, but we want to add it later. I can't believe how cheap you did it, and it looks professional. Did the kit come with any instructions for how to install it?
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Just Google Inspired LED and then click on the company. They have a ton of how to videos, FAQ's and other resources. Really couldn't be easier. I watched one video for an issue I didn't even think of. It was if you have granite and you had the lights aiming down, you would see all the lighted dots in the granite. So instead do it on the inside lip of the cabinet frame and aim it towards the backsplash for more even lighting and no dots. I consider myself a very handy guy and there really isn't a project I'd be able to tackle, for on the difficulty level of 1 to 10 for someone with average skills, this is around a 2. Basically you measure the length you want the lights to run and that's how much you order with a bit extra for just in case. You then basically plug in your power supply, run it to their switch or remote like I did, then to a splitter block, run your cables to each side of the cabinet, stick on the lights and you're done. It's far simpler than I wrote and they give you great instructions. Ha. I was debating adding lights on top of the cabinet too, but for now decided against it because I don't think it's needed. But if we change our minds, the system is easily expanded and I just need to order more strip LED's.
DeleteThanks for the information! I'll definitely keep this is mind when I move in May.
DeleteJames, could the pull out trash bin work for under the sink maybe?
ReplyDeleteFor us one side is blocked by the garbage disposal, the other by the drain plumbing. Our aftermarket sink is pretty deep and wiped out any room. But from what I remember, even with the original sink it wouldn't fit. Of course your layout/plumbing might vary.
DeleteLooks amazing! My husband will be installing ours (not sure where it landed on his to-do list) but I think yours look great! I love that you can get such a great look without paying for the builder upgrade that isn't that sexy! Great job AGAIN!!!!
ReplyDeleteEboni thanks as always! My honest belief is held the time you're better of doing it yourself because you will take more care and pride than some of the subcontractors do. Case in point, I did our own cabinet hardware. It is dead on even and consistent (though it's weird when I see some pictures some of the knobs looks off. Must be angles and the way lighting bouncing off of some knobs). We saw a house where Ryan did the knobs. Not only are their knobs of the dollar store variety, but they were all over the place. You could tell it was a low man on the totem pole tasked with it and he slipped through it.
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DeleteArgh. Hate you can't edit a reply easily for spelling. Have a two year old jumping on my stomach right now causing errors. Lol
ReplyDeleteLol. I hate that you can't edit once you comment. I'm with ya on the 2 yr old trying to jump at your phone or iPad X 2!! Twins at 2 is t-o-u-g-h! I'll be happy when I can get them their own playroom! ;-)
DeleteThe lighting looks awesome! Love the pull out trash can as well! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the compliments!
DeleteLooks great! Love the way the kitchen has come together! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for posting this. I've been wondering how we will do this in our new home and this is very helpful.
ReplyDeleteGlad it helps! Really was that easy and cheap.
ReplyDeleteLooks great! I love those pendants too!
ReplyDeleteI'm debating about not installing that 4" granite piece or possibly removing it about a year from now when I decide to install a backsplash. How much did that backsplash end up running you?
ReplyDeleteTile was $400. Labor for the guy we hired was $400. This was something if normally tackle myself, but with it being glass and having to be done perfect or it would look like crap, I thought the labor was money well spent. It took him a total of 18 hours to install, so I'm actually happy we didn't tackle it.
ReplyDeleteHave so much to learn from your blog. First home with zero experience. We will also add under cabinet lighting, kitchen backsplash and security later. Any recommendations for home security.. Thanks in advance
ReplyDeleteWe were all there at the beginning at one time. I started with small projects and built up my skill set and courage as time went on. Lol. Basically myself and Bridget fully remodeled our old house, some down to the studs. So with everything you do, you get better. We already were doing Comcast for cable, Internet and home phone, so we went with Xfinity Home for security. So far we like it. We like the cameras and the interface is pretty simple and the price is reasonable. My main thing is I like to see the house while gone and receive immediate alerts if something was tripped. Guardian, and by us ProCom, is simply crazy overpriced. I personally think their alarm is nothing special and they try to make it sound like be hard wired is something special. It pained me to pay them to run the surround sound roughin wiring. But since we weren't allowed to run our own wires before drywall we had no choice.
DeleteKitchen options look very similar to what we selected. We went with a lighter subway tile and a darker granite though. But I love the combo you have. And the under cabinet lighting looks very nicel
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