Over and inside cabinet lighting ideas fit into the accent lighting category, and are just usually puck lighting, although sometimes the led tape lighting is used over cabinets. See the Kitchen Lighting Picture Gallery for examples of all the kitchen lighting in action.

If you wish to use the low voltage lighting that have a transformer, or LED driver then this is the place because it is easy to hide extra equipment above cabinets if there is room. Keep in mind that low voltage wire is not supposed to be run inside walls, just in or around cabinets.

Over cabinet lights do work best with a vaulted ceiling of 1 foot or more of ceiling space above the cabinets. The over cabinet lights can really produce a dramatic affect if done right.

Puck lighting comes in xenon, Led, and halogen. Puck lights also come in finishes of stainless steel, black, white, and bronze. See the light bulb page for a breakdown of the different bulbs, and the best uses.

Led lights may be the best suited for over and inside kitchen cabinet lighting ideas because Xenon and halogen bulbs get too hot, and fluorescent break easy. LED bulbs also last a very long time. The LED puck lights, or tape lights are worth the extra cost.

There is  LED tape lighting that can work well over cabinets, very tough and never gets too hot. LED Tape lighting is usually low voltage with a driver that runs so many feet of lights. With a dimmable driver LED tape lighting is dimmable. There is also a choice of high output, or standard output tape light depending on how much light is needed. Tape light also has color choices, but my favorite is the standard output warm white (3000k) for ambiance lighting over the cabinets. Examples of tape lighting set ups can be seen at this web page: Tape Lighting.

Tape and Puck LED Lights

Inside kitchen cabinet lights are used when the cabinet is open with no doors, or when there are glass doors. Inside cabinet lights are used to high light some item like special plates or glasses. Puck lighting works best inside of cabinets. There are very low profile LED puck lights (1/2") that stay pretty hidden inside of a cabinet.

If you are in the planning stages of a kitchen remodel then do a kitchen lighting idea design plan showing the cabinet lighting locations, type, and switch locations for your electrician. See the Pre Cabinet Kitchen Electrical  page at The Kitchen Idea Guide Book.

Over and inside lighting is hard to retro fit because there would have to be an extension cord down to a plug; and how would you switch them? Still it is possible to creatively hide the wires around the cabinets if needed.

At the risk of sounding over promotional the site www.under-cabinet-lights.net  is a good place to buy under cabinet lighting, and they will answer all the tough questions.