#4 Types of Under-Cabinet Lighting: Pros, Cons, and Shopping Advice

The under-cabinet lights in my kitchen are chunky T12 fluorescents from the 1980s. They flicker and buzz and have that aggravating warm-up period every time you turn them on. In other words, they must go. This led me to research replacements, which I thought I'd share with you here! Whether you're starting from scratch or, like me, are replacing old fixtures, here are some options to consider.

1. T4 Fluorescent Strips: Unlike the T12 bulbs in my current fixtures (which have a 1 1/2-inch diameter), T4 bulbs have just a 1/2-inch diameter. This makes for a much sleeker fixture. Today's fluorescent bulbs are also much improved from their predecessors in that they don't have a delay when you flip on the switch, they don't produce a hum, and their color value is improved.

4. LED Rope or Tape: These fixtures are extremely thin, making them easy to install, unlikely to get bumped as you work at your counter, and visually discreet. They don't put out as much light as the other options, so these are truly for complementing already-strong overhead kitchen lighting. LED tape is also flexible, which could come in handy in particular scenarios: