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A Hunker report says Joanna Gaines recommends under-cabinet lighting as a way to make a small kitchen feel more open without adding a mirror. The lights can reduce shadows and brighten work surfaces, though the size effect is a visual impression, not a change to the room itself.
Joanna Gaines recommends under-cabinet lighting as a way to make a small kitchen feel more spacious, according to a Hunker report citing an HGTV clip. The approach uses light to reduce shadows and brighten counters, offering an alternative to mirrors that may be impractical where kitchen wall space is limited.
In the HGTV clip cited by Hunker, Gaines says under-cabinet lighting “gives your space the illusion that it’s bigger than it really is.” The effect comes from illuminating areas that might otherwise sit in shadow and reflecting light from nearby surfaces. This can make the kitchen seem brighter and add a sense of visual depth; it does not increase the room’s actual dimensions.
The lighting also has a practical purpose: it casts light directly onto the counter and work area. Hunker reports that brighter counters can appear wider, drawing the eye toward the illuminated surface. Unlike a mirror, the lights do not need a clear stretch of wall, which can be useful in kitchens where cabinets and windows leave little room for one.
Gaines recommends having an electrician install a permanent system, according to the report. Renters or homeowners who do not want electrical work can use plug-in or battery-powered products instead. Hunker gives typical prices of $12 to $60 for light bars and $8 to $20 for battery-powered lights; those figures are the report’s cited ranges, not a guarantee of current prices.
How Lighting Changes a Small Kitchen
The recommendation addresses two common needs in a compact kitchen: making a work surface easier to see and making the room feel less confined. Under-cabinet lights serve both purposes, placing illumination where food preparation happens while adding brightness at counter level. For people with limited wall space, the approach can be more practical than adding a mirror.
The distinction between appearance and actual space matters. The lights may create a perception of more depth or width, but they do not make a kitchen physically larger. Their practical value is clearer: a well-lit counter can be easier to use, and the extra light may reduce dark patches beneath cabinets. The result depends on the kitchen’s layout, surfaces and lighting choices.
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Choosing Lights for Cabinet Spaces
Hunker describes several options for lighting beneath cabinets. Bar lights are thin fixtures that can provide even coverage across a longer counter and can be tucked out of sight. LED strips can follow cabinet runs and bend around corners, while puck lights provide smaller pools of light that can be placed where more focused illumination is wanted.
Light placement and color also affect the result. According to the report, lights near the front edge of the cabinets can better illuminate a work surface; fixtures set farther back can emphasize a backsplash or objects on the counter. Gaines is quoted as saying, “Anything from the countertop up, keep light.” The report says she varies color temperature by the atmosphere desired: cooler light can feel more spacious and alert, while warmer light can produce a cozier effect.
Hunker also links a bright, airy look to light, neutral colors, which reflect more light than darker finishes. This is presented as design guidance, not a measured guarantee that a particular color or fixture will make every kitchen seem larger.
battery operated under cabinet lights
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What the Lighting Tip Cannot Establish
The source does not provide measurements or testing showing how much under-cabinet lighting changes perceived room size. The effect is described as an illusion of added space, and how noticeable it is will vary with cabinet placement, counter and backsplash materials, existing light and fixture positioning.
Hunker’s price ranges may also change by retailer, product and date; the source does not identify specific models or confirm current store stock. It does not specify electrical requirements for individual products. Anyone choosing a hardwired system should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and have installation handled by a qualified electrician, as Gaines recommends. The report does not name a particular electrician or installation standard.
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Options for Applying the Advice
The report does not announce a new product, project or upcoming Gaines design release. Readers considering the approach can compare bar fixtures, LED strips and puck lights based on the counter area they want to illuminate, whether they need a plug-in or battery-powered option, and where the light will fall.
For a permanent system, Gaines’ recommendation, as relayed by Hunker, is to hire an electrician. Renters or people seeking a less permanent setup can look at plug-in or battery-powered lights, while checking product instructions and current pricing. The likely result remains specific to each kitchen: more usable counter light is the direct function, while a more spacious appearance is a possible visual effect.
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Key Questions
What is Joanna Gaines’ trick for making a small kitchen look bigger?
She recommends under-cabinet lighting. A Hunker report citing an HGTV clip says it can reduce shadows, brighten surfaces and create the illusion of more space.
Does under-cabinet lighting make a kitchen physically larger?
No. The reported benefit is a visual impression of added depth or width; the lighting does not change the room’s dimensions.
What kinds of under-cabinet lights are available?
Hunker describes bar lights, flexible LED strips and puck lights. Bar lights can cover a longer area, strips can run around corners, and puck lights can provide more focused illumination.
How much do under-cabinet lights cost?
The Hunker report cites ranges of $12 to $60 for light bars and $8 to $20 for battery-powered options. Prices vary, and the report does not identify particular products or confirm current prices.
Should under-cabinet lighting be professionally installed?
Gaines recommends hiring an electrician for a permanent installation, according to Hunker. Plug-in and battery-powered lights are alternatives, but users should follow each product’s installation and safety instructions.
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