Discuss Lighting Solution on IKEAFANS.com. We're Personalizing the IKEA Experience. Lighting Solution - Sinks, Faucets, Knobs and Pulls - also coordinating kitchen elements. See also: Kitchen Appliances and Backsplash |Splashback.
Unfortunately, my kitchen remodel has been one ordeal after another. I'm in my 3rd month and it's still not finished. I had to fire my GCand I just realized he didn't have the wiring installed for the undercabinet lights or two glass cabinet interior lights (there were so many other problems that this one got overlooked). Anyway, now the electrician that's installing my recessed lights has informed me that the cabinets will have to be removed to install undercabinet lights. At this point, I'm over budget and overstressed and can't afford to have the cabinets taken down, the wiring for the lights done and then the cabinets reinstalled.
So, don't shoot me, but unless and until some unexpected money comes my way, I'm going to have to go with the very undesireable battery operated lights. I don't anticipate using the undercabinet lights very often, but can't imagine not having them at all.
Does anyone use battery operated lights and if so, do you have any recommendations? I'm really at a loss for what to do as far as the interior cabinet lights since the cabinets will be too high for me to turn on the lights from inside the cabinet. I was looking for some type of remote controlled solution, but there doesn't seem to be anything that combines the elements of battery operated AND remote controlled....any ideas?
By the way, wish me luck that my 3rd granite installation attempt is successful tomorrow. The first time, the sink cutout was wrong and the second time there was a crack in the counter, let's hope the 3rd time is a charm!!!
Lynda, I'm sorry to hear it's been so difficult for you. Have you considered lights which just plug in? They can be attached to the underside of the cabinet and simply plugged into the outlet in the backsplash area. If you can connect them in a line, there will be fewer cords visible and switches to use.
HTH
Gloria
Best wishes and positive thoughts for gorgeous granite counters!
Lynda,
One reason many of us have gone with Ikea cabinets is that they are surprisingly easy to install and remove. Have you considered taking them down yourself, or having a few friends over for a pizza and beer party ("oh, and while you're here, can you help me take these down...")?
The wiring part is another story entirely. Are there any outlets high up on your wall? Are you OK with the cost of the electrician doing that part of the work for you? Thankfully, I'm a reformed electrical engineer, so that part wasn't a big deal for me, but I understand why others would be reluctant to tackle the electrical work. That being said, it really isn't that hard, especially if the outlets are already in place.
Good luck! And if all else fails, those little battery operated ones aren't bad, just somewhat on the dim side. Great for toekicks and the like, but not my first choice for undercabinet lights.
Well, I had to fire my first electrician, and take down the cabinets so that the second electrician could get the wiring in. If your contractor used the suspension rail method, you just have to remove the light rail and molding, ungang the cabinets, and unscrew the bolts holding them on to the wall. Reverse to put everything back. Definitely do-able even iif you didn't install them yourself in the first place (that was my situation). It's easy to reverse because all the holes are pre-drilled. Just be careful once you loosen those bolts because the cabinets WILL come flying off whether or not you are prepared.
Good luck- sounds like you have had a rougher time than most- firing the electrician and the events leading up to it was bad enough for me!
This may or may not help but our electrician did all the wiring for our UC lights with the cabinets up - he actually preferred that so that the lights were in the correct position. We cut out all the sheetrock under the cabinets so the walls were open to run the wires beneath but you might clarify with the elect. why they need to be down/
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