🌟 Ultimate DIY Guide: How to Install Under Cabinet Lighting + Tile Your Backsplash Like a Pro

💡 Pro Tip: Do your lighting BEFORE tiling — it saves you from costly tile damage and rework!

If you’re looking to upgrade your kitchen with smart, customizable under cabinet lighting and a sleek tiled backsplash, you’re in the right place. In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to install under cabinet lighting system — including hardwiring into existing outlets, removing outlets for clean installs, and linking multiple units. Then, we’ll prep you for the backsplash tiling phase, ensuring you avoid the #1 mistake most DIYers make: tiling before wiring.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a first-time DIYer, this guide is packed with pro tips, safety reminders, tool lists to help you execute this project flawlessly.

Let’s light up your kitchen — literally and figuratively.

🧰 Part 1: Tools & Materials You’ll Need

Before you grab your drill, make sure you’ve got everything on this checklist:

🔧 Essential Tools:

• Wire stripper
• Electrical tape
• Multimeter or non-contact voltage tester
• Klein Tools transmitter/receiver combo (highly recommended!)
• Drill + drill bits
• Oscillating multi-tool (for drywall cuts)
• Needle-nose pliers
• Drywall screws + scrap wood (for patching)
• Painter’s tape (blue preferred)
• Drop cloths or floor grips (to protect surfaces)

💡 Lighting Kit:

• Smart Under Cabinet Lighting Kit (supports Alexa/Google Home)
• Sync App (iOS/Android)
• Linking cables (included in kit)
• Mounting hardware (built-in — no extra brackets!)

🛡️ Step 1: Prep Your Workspace — Protect Counters & Floors

Never skip prep work. A clean, protected workspace saves you from scratches, stains, and stress.

1. Clear & Clean Countertops — Remove all appliances, decor, and clutter.
2. Lay Down Protective Paper — Use heavy-duty brown kraft paper (available at Home Depot or Amazon). Secure edges with blue painter’s tape — it won’t leave residue.
3. Protect Floors — Use non-slip “cover grips” or rosin paper to catch dust and debris.
4. Secure Everything — Tape down paper at corners and high-traffic zones to prevent tripping or shifting.

⚠️ Safety First: Even if you’re not cutting yet, assume wires are live until proven otherwise. Test outlets before touching!

🔌 Step 2: Plan Your Lighting Layout & Power Sources

The AIBOO Smart Lights can link up to 15 units per circuit and are controlled via the Sync App — compatible with Alexa and Google Home. You can choose any color, warmth, or preset (think: candle flicker, fireworks, or music pulse mode!).

📍 Decide Where Lights Go:

• Lights don’t need to be flush against the cabinet front — they project light forward.
• Space units evenly for balanced illumination.
• Identify which outlets you’ll use (or remove) for hardwiring.

⚡ Step 3: Turn Off Power & Verify with Tester

Working with electricity? Safety is non-negotiable.

1. Locate your breaker box.
2. Plug in your Klein transmitter into the outlet you plan to use.
3. Use the receiver at the breaker panel — it’ll beep and flash red when you’ve found the correct breaker.
4. Flip the breaker OFF.
5. Double-check with a multimeter or non-contact tester at the outlet — no voltage = safe to proceed.

💬 Pro Tip: Label your breakers as you go. Future you will thank present you.

🔨 Step 4: Cut Drywall & Run Wires (The “Before Tiling” Advantage)

This is why you MUST install lighting BEFORE tiling.

If you tile first, you’ll have to:

• Chip out tile
• Patch drywall
• Retile — which rarely matches perfectly

Instead, now’s your chance to cut clean access holes behind where your backsplash will go.

📐 How to Cut & Run Wires:

1. Mark where you want wires to exit (top of backsplash zone).
2. Use a drill to start the hole, then an oscillating multi-tool to cut a rectangular access panel.
3. Fish wires from the outlet box up to your marked hole.
4. Leave 6–8 inches of wire slack at the top for easy connection later.

🔌 Step 5A: Hardwiring Option 1 — Remove an Outlet (Clean Install)

Sometimes, an outlet is redundant or in the way. Here’s how to eliminate it and repurpose its power for lighting.

🔧 Steps:

1. Disconnect all wires from the outlet (black/hot, white/neutral, green or bare/ground).
2. Cut wires flush with the box — you won’t need the outlet anymore.
3. Twist matching wires together:
   • All black wires → together with wire nut
   • All white wires → together with wire nut
   • All ground wires → twisted or crimped together
4. Tuck wires neatly into box.
5. Patch drywall over the box — tile will cover it seamlessly.

💬 Why this works: You’re creating a “junction box” behind the wall — power flows uninterrupted to your lights.

🔌 Step 5B: Hardwiring Option 2 — Keep the Outlet (Most Common)

Most people want to keep their outlets. Here’s how to tap into one without removing it.

🔌 Steps:

1. Remove outlet cover and unscrew outlet from box.
2. DO NOT disconnect the outlet — you’re adding to it.
3. Strip ¾” of insulation from your new lighting wire.
4. Tap into existing connections:
   • Add your black wire to the existing black bundle (use back-wire hole or screw terminal).
   • Add white to white.
   • Wrap ground wire around existing ground bundle and secure with wire nut.
5. Carefully tuck wires back, remount outlet, and replace cover.

💡 Step 6: Mount & Link Your  Smart Cabinet Lights

Now for the fun part — installing the lights themselves!

📌 Installation Steps:

1. Position first light where wire exits drywall.
2. Feed wire into light’s rear port (black to black, white to white, ground to ground).
3. Secure collar/nut provided — do this BEFORE wiring to avoid rework!
4. Push light flush to cabinet bottom — built-in screws make mounting tool-free.
5. Link subsequent lights using included cables — just snap and click.
6. Test power after each connection.

💡 Design Tip: Lights have hidden screws — no ugly brackets. Super sleek when installed.

🔄 Step 7: Configure Lights via Sync App

Once installed, download the GE Sync App (iOS/Android). Here’s what you can do:

• 🎨 Choose any color from the full RGB spectrum
• ☀️ Adjust warmth from candlelight (2700K) to daylight (6500K)
• 🎇 Use presets: Candle flicker, Vegas pulse, Holiday mode, Cyberwave
• 🎵 Sync to music — lights pulse to beat (great for parties!)
• 🗣️ Voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant: “Alexa, set kitchen lights to blue.”

🧱 Part 2: Backsplash Tiling (Coming Soon — But Prep Now!)

⏳ This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Part 2 (tiling) drops next week — subscribe so you don’t miss it!

But here’s what you need to know right now to prep for tiling:

✅ All wiring is COMPLETE and tested
✅ Drywall patches are smooth and primed
✅ Countertops remain protected
✅ You’ve avoided the nightmare of chipping tile to run wires later

❗ Critical Mistakes to Avoid

🚫 Tiling before wiring — Biggest regret for 90% of DIYers.
🚫 Not testing power — Assume it’s live until your tester says otherwise.
🚫 Mixing wire colors — Black = hot, White = neutral, Green/Bare = ground. Period.
🚫 Over-tightening wire nuts — Snug is safe. Cranking = broken wires.
🚫 Skipping the collar/nut on light unit — You’ll have to disassemble everything to add it later.

💬 Final Thoughts: Why This Upgrade is Worth It

Smart under cabinet lighting isn’t just about function — it’s about ambiance, safety, and style.

• ✅ Task lighting for cooking and prep
• ✅ Mood lighting for dinners and parties
• ✅ Voice/app control for ultimate convenience
• ✅ Increased home value — modern kitchens sell faster
• ✅ Satisfaction — you built this. No contractor needed.

💬 “I used to hate my kitchen at night. Now? It’s my favorite room in the house.” — Joel Ruiz (and soon, you!)

❓ FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered

Q: Do I need an electrician?

A: If you’re uncomfortable with wiring, YES. But if you can follow steps, test power, and twist wires — you can DIY this safely.

Q: Can I plug these in instead of hardwiring?

A: Some kits offer plug-in options, but hardwiring gives a cleaner look and lets you remove outlets for seamless backsplash.

Q: What if I have no studs behind drywall?

A: Use scrap wood “bridges” screwed between studs — drill pilot holes and use drywall screws to secure patch.

Q: How do I patch drywall after wiring?

A: Cut scrap wood longer than hole, insert through hole, screw to drywall edges, then patch with joint compound and sand smooth.

Q: Can I control each light separately?

A: Not individually — but you can group them in the app or use multiple circuits for zones.

📌 Summary Checklist: Before You Start

🔲 Power OFF + verified with tester
🔲 Countertops + floors protected
🔲 Outlet locations planned (keep or remove?)
🔲 Drywall access holes cut + wires fished
🔲 Wires prepped (¾” stripped)
🔲 Wire nuts + electrical tape ready
🔲 Lights mounted + linked
🔲 App downloaded + lights paired
🔲 Drywall patched + sanded (ready for tile!)