Staging: Under-cabinet Lighting

Whether you are trying to brighten up your kitchen for resale or just need some task lighting, these little guys are a great alternative to hard wired under-cabinet lighting. They are less expensive, easier to install, and quite frankly just as bright. 

We all know that dark kitchens aren't great for selling homes--or for chopping vegetables or reading recipes!!! Painting cabinets is a great way to lighten a dark room, but if you don't have the time or the budget (2 of these lights cost $15 which is about half the cost of a can of chalk paint) or just don't want to paint, adding a few of these under the cabinets and making sure they are on for showings can have a huge impact. You will need a drill to install them properly, but otherwise no special skill is required. They come in various styles so you can pick the one that fits your house the best. They are also great for closets or dark corners in garages and sheds.

Another quick tip: if you have a dark backsplash, set a few light colored, reflective objects in front of it, especially in dark corners. A white pitcher or a simple white plate on a stand can reflect a lot of light and really brighten a space.