Under-Cabinet Lighting Guide for North Atlanta Kitchens
Since 1984, Simone Feldman has helped homeowners around Roswell, Ga. plan, specify, and install under-cabinet lighting that elevates both style and function. Schedule a consultation today and see why her thoughtful designs and meticulous coordination have earned a stellar reputation.
Under-Cabinet Lighting That Delights
When you search for "under-cabinet lighting near me", you want more than a handyman who sticks on LED strips and hands you a bill.
You want a designer who starts with how you actually cook and clean—where you chop, brew coffee, or help with homework—and then tailors light to those tasks. That includes planning for shadow-free counters, the right color temperature and brightness, discreet wiring, and dimming that lets your kitchen shift from task mode to evening ambiance with ease. You also want someone who keeps disruption minimal during installation so meal prep can continue.
That’s where Simone Feldman starts. Every time.
Simone Feldman Designs is a residential kitchen design and remodeling firm based in Roswell, Georgia, serving homeowners throughout Alpharetta, Milton, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, Cumming, and surrounding North Atlanta communities. Under-cabinet lighting is one of our most requested enhancements, and we integrate it seamlessly into new remodels and existing kitchens alike.
With more than 40 years of architectural design and construction experience and a Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) credential through the National Kitchen & Bath Association, Simone brings a level of expertise to your lighting plan that most kitchen remodel contractors and designers simply can’t match. From LED light bars and tape lighting to drivers, dimmers, and smart controls, Simone specifies components that deliver even illumination, high color accuracy, and long-term reliability—always centered on how you cook and gather.
What Thoughtful Under-Cabinet Lighting Actually Involves
Most homeowners don’t realize how much goes into great under-cabinet lighting until they’ve lived with dark counters or glare. The visible fixtures are only part of the story; behind the scenes, a well-executed system requires careful planning of fixture type, power supplies, wiring paths, switching, dimming, heat management, and code compliance.
▸ Lighting layout — positioning fixtures to eliminate shadows and scalloping, achieving even illumination from backsplash to counter edge, and aligning with task zones
▸ Power and controls — sizing drivers, managing voltage drop on longer runs, assigning circuits, and choosing compatible dimming (TRIAC/ELV/0–10V) or smart-home control
▸ Fixture selection — choosing between LED tape, light bars, or micro pucks; evaluating lumen output, wattage per foot, CRI 90+ with strong R9, and diffuser options for a smooth glow
▸ Cabinet integration — determining light valance depth, concealing wires and drivers, routing channels, and using aluminum profiles as heat sinks to extend LED life
▸ Codes and safety — selecting UL-listed components, providing GFCI protection near sinks, maintaining clearances at cooktops, and ventilating driver locations
▸ Finish coordination — accounting for countertop color and backsplash reflectance to avoid glare, selecting 2700K–3000K or dim-to-warm for mood, and ensuring consistent color across the kitchen
Managing all of this takes a professional who understands both design aesthetics and field installation. Simone’s background spans architectural study, decades running a design/build firm (1984–2008), and close collaboration with North Atlanta electricians and cabinetmakers. She translates your goals into a precise lighting package, verifies measurements on site, and ensures it’s installed and commissioned correctly.
Under-Cabinet Lighting Experts | Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) & Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS)
Simone Feldman Designs brings unmatched expertise to every under-cabinet lighting project. With Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) and Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) credentials through the NKBA and HBA, we create kitchens that balance clarity for tasks, nighttime safety, and warm ambiance. Our team tailors fixture types, layouts, and controls to your needs—prioritizing even light, high CRI, durable components, and accessible switches—so your kitchen works beautifully for years to come.
Planning a larger project too? Learn about Kitchen Remodeling Cost
The Simone Feldman Under-Cabinet Lighting Process
Simone’s process is deliberately thorough—because the choices you make up front determine brightness, color quality, wiring, and how cleanly fixtures integrate with your cabinetry and backsplash. Here’s what working with Simone looks like from first call to finished kitchen:
Step 1: Discovery Consultation
Before any design work begins, Simone spends time with you in your current kitchen. She observes where you prep, read recipes, and plate food; notes shadows under the cabinets; and reviews cabinet construction, light valance depth, and the distance from cabinet to backsplash. She also evaluates outlet locations and existing wiring to understand opportunities and constraints.
She asks questions about what isn’t working—from dim, uneven counters and visible LED dots to harsh glare, inconvenient switches, or flicker—and listens carefully to what you want to change. She’s particularly interested in how your household actually uses the kitchen and how lighting should support it, including preferences for dimming, motion or toe-kick night lighting, and smart control.
Step 2: Lighting Layout and Fixture Selection
Layout is the foundation of effective under-cabinet lighting. Simone evaluates counter runs, upper-cabinet height, finish reflectance, and working zones before recommending a layout. She plans fixture spacing to eliminate shadows, groups zones for intuitive control, and designs wiring and driver locations to keep maintenance simple and components hidden.
She considers where light bars will provide the most even task light, when low-profile tape in aluminum channels is best for continuous runs, and where petite pucks can highlight a niche or display. She selects color temperature and CRI to flatter materials and food, specifies diffusers to smooth hotspots, and uses 3D imaging software to preview brightness, switch placement, and fixture profiles—before a single fixture is ordered.
Step 3: Fixture and Finish Selection
Choosing under‑cabinet fixtures, drivers, dimmers, and finishes is where many homeowners feel overwhelmed. Simone guides you through every selection with clarity—explaining when to use LED strip/tape, rigid light bars, or puck lights; the pros and cons of 12V versus 24V low‑voltage systems; hardwired, plug‑in, or battery solutions; and how color temperature, CRI, and diffuser lenses change the way your counters look and perform.
Together, you’ll decide on continuous runs or spaced fixtures, aluminum channel profiles (surface, recessed, or angled), in‑wall dimmers versus app or motion controls, and whether a warm 2700K–3000K glow or a crisper 3500K–4000K tone suits your home. Nothing gets selected in isolation; brightness, beam spread, finish, and control are coordinated with cabinet depth, light‑rail molding, outlet locations, backsplash reflectivity, and the overall kitchen design so your lighting feels seamless and intentional.
Step 4: Contractor Coordination and Construction
Over four decades in the Atlanta renovation market, Simone has built relationships with licensed electricians, low‑voltage integrators, cabinetmakers, tile installers, and smart‑home specialists who share her standards for craftsmanship and professionalism.
She assembles the right team for your specific project, personally introduces each trade to you before they enter your home, and remains actively involved throughout construction—marking power feed points, confirming driver locations are ventilated and code‑compliant, coordinating wire paths before tile goes up, verifying cut lengths and joiners for continuous illumination, aligning light bars to avoid scalloping, testing dimming curves and color temperature, and keeping you informed at every stage. She also helps plan a temporary task‑light solution so you can keep essentials accessible while your main kitchen is under construction.
Step 5: Final Walkthrough and Completion
Simone doesn’t consider an under‑cabinet lighting project complete until every detail has been inspected and every item on the punch list is resolved. She conducts a final walkthrough with you, checks that lenses are continuous and diodes are concealed, verifies consistent color across runs, confirms there’s no flicker, hum, or glare on glossy backsplashes, and ensures all switches, sensors, smart scenes, and dimmers operate as intended. Drivers are labeled and accessible, wiring is discreet, and care and warranty information are reviewed. Only when you feel your counters are brilliantly lit—and the system supports the way you cook and live—does she consider the project done.
Why Certification Matters in a Kitchen Designer
The title “kitchen designer” is not legally protected in Georgia—anyone can use it. The Certified Kitchen Designer (CKD) credential from the National Kitchen & Bath Association requires demonstrated expertise in space planning, building and electrical codes, construction methods, lighting fundamentals, and professional ethics. It’s earned through documented project experience and rigorous examination, and it must be maintained through ongoing education.
Simone has held her CKD certification for decades and served on the Georgia Chapter of the NKBA as Vice President of Educational Programs. When you’re searching for kitchen renovation near you and choosing between a contractor who “does lights” and a designer who has spent a career earning that credential, the difference matters—especially for under‑cabinet lighting where code compliance, driver placement, glare control, and color quality directly impact safety, comfort, and the beauty of your kitchen.
Types of Under-Cabinet Lighting
Choosing the right under‑cabinet lighting can completely change how your counters look, feel, and function. At Simone Feldman Designs, every lighting plan is customized around your cooking habits, cabinet layout, and backsplash materials.
Common under‑cabinet lighting options include:
- LED Strip Lights – Flexible, low‑profile runs that provide smooth, even countertop illumination when paired with a diffuser.
- Puck Lights – Discreet fixtures that create focused pools of light—great for accents or inside glass cabinets.
- Linear Light Bars – Rigid fixtures that deliver uniform brightness and simple alignment for crisp, shadow‑free task lighting.
- Tape Light in Aluminum Channels – Adds heat dissipation and a frosted lens to hide diode dots and reduce backsplash glare.
- Tunable White Systems – Adjust color temperature from warm 2700K to cool 4000K; requires compatible drivers and controls.
- Plug-In Kits – Fast retrofits with integrated switches; ideal for small kitchens or rentals with limited wiring access.
- Hardwired Low-Voltage – 24V drivers power long, bright runs with consistent output across large kitchens and multiple zones.
- Angled Light Bars – Tilted profiles push light forward, minimizing reflections on glossy backsplashes and improving task visibility.
- Smart and Voice-Controlled – App, voice, and scene‑based control that integrates with whole‑home systems.
- High-CRI Task Lighting – 90+ CRI LEDs reveal true food colors and textures for chef‑level prep and presentation.
Understanding Placement and Power Options
Installation approaches can also vary depending on cabinet construction and power access, including:
- Hardwired low‑voltage systems (drivers in a cabinet, pantry, or basement)
- Plug‑in runs with in‑line switches
- Battery‑powered, motion‑sensing upgrades
- In‑wall dimmers, remote modules, or smart controls
- 12V vs 24V systems for run length and brightness
A thoughtfully designed under‑cabinet plan enhances visibility, reduces shadows and glare, and complements your ambient and accent lighting to create a kitchen that works beautifully day and night.
Learn more about Simone’s design approach to see how fixture choice, wiring, and controls come together for a seamless result.
The Value of Well-Planned Under-Cabinet Lighting
Thoughtful under-cabinet lighting turns dark countertops into bright, safe, and functional workspaces. The right fixtures minimize shadows, reduce glare, and highlight your backsplash and countertops, making everyday prep and entertaining feel effortless while subtly elevating your kitchen’s look and resale appeal.
When you pair professional planning with quality LED components—proper color temperature, high CRI, reliable drivers, and durable channels—you get consistent, long-lasting light that integrates cleanly with your cabinetry and continues to perform beautifully for years.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a full project usually take?
Most under-cabinet lighting projects are completed in one to two days after design and material selection, with total timelines often running one to two weeks from consultation to installation. If part of a larger remodel, the schedule aligns with your cabinetry and electrical milestones.
Can I remain in my home during construction?
Yes. Installation is minimally disruptive. We contain dust, protect surfaces, and coordinate brief power shutoffs to keep your kitchen usable as much as possible.
Do you help with choosing materials and finishes?
Absolutely. We guide you through LED strips, bars, or pucks; recommend color temperature (typically 2700K–3500K), high CRI (90+), lumen output, diffuser options, and dimming controls so your lighting looks cohesive and performs the way you cook and live.
How are unexpected issues handled?
We assess wiring access, cabinet construction, and backsplash constraints, then offer practical solutions—like low-profile channels, concealed raceways, or alternate power locations—so the finished result is seamless and safe.
Can you design around a specific budget?
Yes. We can phase work, select plug-in or hardwired systems, and choose fixtures and controls that deliver the right balance of performance and value for your investment.
Ready to Elevate Your Under-Cabinet Lighting?
If you’ve been exploring ways to brighten your counters and you’re ready to work with a specialist, Simone Feldman can help. For more than 40 years, she’s designed kitchens—and integrated under-cabinet lighting—throughout Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Milton, Roswell, and across North Atlanta. She holds top kitchen design credentials, understands how cabinetry and electrical work together, and specifies precise color temperature, brightness, and controls so your lighting feels natural and looks impeccable.
Call (404) 386‑9487 or send a message to schedule your initial consultation. Let’s create a lighting plan that showcases your materials, improves task visibility, and integrates seamlessly with your kitchen remodeling goals—beautiful, effortless, and built to last.
