DIY Under Cabinet Lighting installation Hardwired
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đ Ultimate DIY Guide: How to Install Under Cabinet Lighting + Tile Your Backsplash Like a Pro
đĄ Pro Tip: Do your lighting BEFORE tiling â it saves you from costly tile damage and rework!
If youâre looking to upgrade your kitchen with smart, customizable under cabinet lighting and a sleek tiled backsplash, youâre in the right place. In this comprehensive, step-by-step guide, weâll walk you through exactly how to install under cabinet lighting system â including hardwiring into existing outlets, removing outlets for clean installs, and linking multiple units. Then, weâll prep you for the backsplash tiling phase, ensuring you avoid the #1 mistake most DIYers make: tiling before wiring.
Whether youâre 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.
Letâs light up your kitchen â literally and figuratively.
đ§° Part 1: Tools & Materials Youâll Need
Before you grab your drill, make sure youâve got everything on this checklist:
đ§ 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)
- Painterâs tape (blue preferred)
- Drop cloths or floor grips (to protect surfaces)
đĄ Lighting Kit:
- Smart Under Cabinet Lighting Kit (supports Alexa/Google Home)
- Sync App (iOS/Android)
- Linking cables (included in kit)
- Mounting hardware (built-in â no extra brackets!)
đĄïž Step 1: Prep Your Workspace â Protect Counters & Floors
Never skip prep work. A clean, protected workspace saves you from scratches, stains, and stress.
- Clear & Clean Countertops â Remove all appliances, decor, and clutter.
- Lay Down Protective Paper â Use heavy-duty brown kraft paper (available at Home Depot or Amazon). Secure edges with blue painterâs tape â it wonât leave residue.
- Protect Floors â Use non-slip âcover gripsâ or rosin paper to catch dust and debris.
- Secure Everything â Tape down paper at corners and high-traffic zones to prevent tripping or shifting.
â ïž Safety First: Even if youâre not cutting yet, assume wires are live until proven otherwise. Test outlets before touching!
đ 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 â compatible with Alexa and Google Home. You can choose any color, warmth, or preset (think: candle flicker, fireworks, or music pulse mode!).
đ Decide Where Lights Go:
- Lights donât need to be flush against the cabinet front â they project light forward.
- Space units evenly for balanced illumination.
- Identify which outlets youâll use (or remove) for hardwiring.
⥠Step 3: Turn Off Power & Verify with Tester
Working with electricity? Safety is non-negotiable.
- Locate your breaker box.
- Plug in your Klein transmitter into the outlet you plan to use.
- Use the receiver at the breaker panel â itâll beep and flash red when youâve found the correct breaker.
- Flip the breaker OFF.
- Double-check with a multimeter or non-contact tester at the outlet â no voltage = safe to proceed.
đŹ Pro Tip: Label your breakers as you go. Future you will thank present you.
đš Step 4: Cut Drywall & Run Wires (The âBefore Tilingâ Advantage)
This is why you MUST install lighting BEFORE tiling.
If you tile first, youâll have to:
- Chip out tile
- Patch drywall
- Retile â which rarely matches perfectly
Instead, nowâs your chance to cut clean access holes behind where your backsplash will go.
đ How to Cut & Run Wires:
- Mark where you want wires to exit (top of backsplash zone).
- Use a drill to start the hole, then an oscillating multi-tool to cut a rectangular access panel.
- Fish wires from the outlet box up to your marked hole.
- Leave 6â8 inches of wire slack at the top for easy connection later.
đ Step 5A: Hardwiring Option 1 â Remove an Outlet (Clean Install)
Sometimes, an outlet is redundant or in the way. Hereâs how to eliminate it and repurpose its power for lighting.
đ§ Steps:
- Disconnect all wires from the outlet (black/hot, white/neutral, green or bare/ground).
- Cut wires flush with the box â you wonât need the outlet anymore.
-
Twist matching wires together:
- All black wires â together with wire nut
- All white wires â together with wire nut
- All ground wires â twisted or crimped together
- Tuck wires neatly into box.
- Patch drywall over the box â tile will cover it seamlessly.
đŹ Why this works: Youâre creating a âjunction boxâ behind the wall â power flows uninterrupted to your lights.
đ Step 5B: Hardwiring Option 2 â Keep the Outlet (Most Common)
Most people want to keep their outlets. Hereâs how to tap into one without removing it.
đ Steps:
- Remove outlet cover and unscrew outlet from box.
- DO NOT disconnect the outlet â youâre adding to it.
- Strip Ÿâ of insulation from your new lighting wire.
-
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.
- Carefully tuck wires back, remount outlet, and replace cover.
đĄ Step 6: Mount & Link Your Smart Cabinet Lights
Now for the fun part â installing the lights themselves!
đ Installation Steps:
- Position first light where wire exits drywall.
- Feed wire into lightâs rear port (black to black, white to white, ground to ground).
- Secure collar/nut provided â do this BEFORE wiring to avoid rework!
- Push light flush to cabinet bottom â built-in screws make mounting tool-free.
- Link subsequent lights using included cables â just snap and click.
- Test power after each connection.
đĄ Design Tip: Lights have hidden screws â no ugly brackets. Super sleek when installed.
đ Step 7: Configure Lights via Sync App
Once installed, download the GE Sync App (iOS/Android). Hereâs what you can do:
- đš Choose any color from the full RGB spectrum
- âïž Adjust warmth from candlelight (2700K) to daylight (6500K)
- đ Use presets: Candle flicker, Vegas pulse, Holiday mode, Cyberwave
- đ” Sync to music â lights pulse to beat (great for parties!)
- đŁïž Voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant: âAlexa, set kitchen lights to blue.â
đ§± Part 2: Backsplash Tiling (Coming Soon â But Prep Now!)
âł This is Part 1 of a 2-part series. Part 2 (tiling) drops next week â subscribe so you donât miss it!
But hereâs what you need to know right now to prep for tiling:
â
All wiring is COMPLETE and tested
â
Drywall patches are smooth and primed
â
Countertops remain protected
â
Youâve avoided the nightmare of chipping tile to run wires later
â Critical Mistakes to Avoid
đ« Tiling before wiring â Biggest regret for 90% of DIYers.
đ« Not testing power â Assume itâs live until your tester says otherwise.
đ« Mixing wire colors â Black = hot, White = neutral, Green/Bare = ground. Period.
đ« Over-tightening wire nuts â Snug is safe. Cranking = broken wires.
đ« Skipping the collar/nut on light unit â Youâll have to disassemble everything to add it later.
đŹ Final Thoughts: Why This Upgrade is Worth It
Smart under cabinet lighting isnât just about function â itâs about ambiance, safety, and style.
- â Task lighting for cooking and prep
- â Mood lighting for dinners and parties
- â Voice/app control for ultimate convenience
- â Increased home value â modern kitchens sell faster
- â Satisfaction â you built this. No contractor needed.
đŹ âI used to hate my kitchen at night. Now? Itâs my favorite room in the house.â â Joel Ruiz (and soon, you!)
â FAQ: Your Top Questions Answered
Q: Do I need an electrician?
A: If youâre uncomfortable with wiring, YES. But if you can follow steps, test power, and twist wires â 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 âbridgesâ screwed between studs â 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 â but you can group them in the app or use multiple circuits for zones.
đ Summary Checklist: Before You Start
đČ Power OFF + verified with tester
đČ Countertops + floors protected
đČ Outlet locations planned (keep or remove?)
đČ Drywall access holes cut + wires fished
đČ Wires prepped (Ÿâ stripped)
đČ Wire nuts + electrical tape ready
đČ Lights mounted + linked
đČ App downloaded + lights paired
đČ Drywall patched + sanded (ready for tile!)