Installing under cabinet lighting in a decorative hutch will showcase your collectibles and create a focal point in your room. If you are willing to drill a hole and fasten the lighting fixture in place, then you can easily add under cabinet lighting to your hutch.
1. Pick the right light. – More than likely your hutch is made from wood, so high temperatures from some light fixtures can warp the wood. You will want to choose a low wattage bulb, such as halogen or fluorescent.
Under cabinet fixtures come in a variety of covers, so pick one that best matches the look of your hutch. For example, if your hutch has modern lines, a metallic fixture will continue the modern feel of your hutch. If you want the fixture to fade into the background, pick a fixture that matches or is darker than the finish of your hutch.
2. Mark the installation spot. – The next step is to decide where you would like the light fixture placed. Center the fixture under the shelf or cabinet and tape it into place. Next, plug in the fixture, turn it on and check to see that the light is shining in the desired location. After you have made any necessary adjustments, take a pencil and mark the fixture’s location.
Then, take the fixture down and remove the cover to expose the screw holes. Place the fixture up against the shelf in the desired location, and mark the screw holes. With a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws, drill pilot holes to avoid splitting the wood. Do not go all the way through the wood though. The screws should also be short enough that they will not go through the wood either.
3. Drill a hole for the cord. – You will now need to drill a hole through the backing of your hutch for the cord to thread through. The hole should be directly behind the fixture, as close to the shelf as possible so the cord will be inconspicuous. Drill the hole large enough for the plug to slip through, usually a 1 inch hole will work.
4. Attach the light fixture and hide the cord. – Now you can screw the light fixture into place. Place the cover back into place and thread the cord through the hole in the back of the cabinet.
You can leave the cord or hide it with a cord cover. Cord covers mount with an adhesive backing and come in several colors. Simply cut the cord cover the length between the fixture and the back of the cabinet, remove the adhesive backing and lay the cord into the groove while you mount it to the underside of the shelf or cabinet.
5. Finishing touches. – If you are mounting a couple of light fixtures in your hutch, plug them into an extension cord in back of the hutch. Then run the extension cord to a nearby electrical outlet. Once the lights are plugged in, turn them on to check your work.
If the lights do not turn on, check that the bulbs are screwed in snugly. However, do not touch the halogen bulbs with your skin since oils from your hands can damage the bulb.
Once your lights are working, add your collectibles to showcase them in their new lit area.
