Wednesday, September 21, 2011

DIY cabinet lighting for under $10

For a while now I have been wanting to add lighting inside my glass front cabinet, but was unsure if I was willing to pay an electrician $400-$600 to do it, so I did it myself for $10. That's right, only $10!!!


This was seriously the easiest project ever! I went to Target and bought two boxes of battery powered mini lights, brought them home and simply (using a staple gun) hung a strand of lights up both sides of the cabinet. The cords are neatly hidden behind the sides of the cabinet.
Is my cabinet lighting as bright as that an electrician would install? Probably not, but it also cost a whole lot less! I am really quite happy with the bit of ambiance that my new lights add.















Please click on the links on my "Favorite Places to Link" page to check out the linky parties that I have joined.
Thanks for reading!!!

Posted by Emily at 9:10 PM

42 comments:

  1. Blondie's JournalSeptember 22, 2011 at 2:22 AM

    Very pretty...I love your cabinet!! What a great idea and even better savings!

    XO,
    Janie

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  2. MariaelenaSeptember 22, 2011 at 4:18 AM

    It is absolutely perfect...great money saving idea!!...xo, M

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  3. Deborah MarchSeptember 22, 2011 at 6:03 AM

    Nice idea...bet it leaves a lovely soft glow in your kitchen!

    Deborah ♥ (visiting happily from http://upcyclingmylife.blogspot.com/... hope you can stop by some time...)

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  4. ANNESeptember 22, 2011 at 6:49 AM

    Awesome! I've never even heard of battery operated mini-lights!! I sure hope I can get my hands on some cause I've got so many uses for them :) TFS!!!

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  5. ℳartina @ Northern NestingSeptember 22, 2011 at 7:11 AM

    Great idea Emily it looks so pretty! Martina

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  6. stefanieSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    sooooooo clever...and cute!!!!

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  7. Brenda PruittSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    I like it better that it's not so bright actually!
    Brenda

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  8. Donna~One Simple Country GirlSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:37 AM

    Love it! We did the same thing when we redid our cabinets a few months back and made two of them glass fronts. Only we purchased a 3 bulb touch light for each cabinet that we hung in the center of the top of the cabinets. The little lights are adjustable and when the cabinet doors are shut, you can't even see them! We utilized glass shelving in both of the cabinets so the lights shine all the way thru all 3 shelves. Each light was less than $15 so we saved a bundle too!

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  9. Brave BrookeSeptember 22, 2011 at 11:14 AM

    This is great! I would love to do this in my home!

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  10. **** April ****September 22, 2011 at 7:54 PM

    OK.... where are the cords plugged in? I want to do this to my cabinets... help a sister out! :)

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  11. Nike@ChooseToThriveSeptember 22, 2011 at 9:30 PM

    Love how soft and beautiful the lights ended up looking. Score!

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  12. Erin {Lavender and Lemon Drops}September 22, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Love this look and the idea! Great Job ;)

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  13. Jordan McCollumSeptember 22, 2011 at 10:31 PM

    Brilliant! I so want to do this. As soon as I get glass front cabinets. And pretty things to put in them.

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  14. LindsaySeptember 23, 2011 at 5:57 AM

    This is really useful information. Thanks for all the details, I would love to do this in my home. It looks really wonderful! I have a link party going on now, if you'd like to check it out--
    http://southernlovely.blogspot.com/2011/09/show-share-6.html

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  15. HeatherSeptember 23, 2011 at 7:27 AM

    Such a great idea! Featured you on my blog today!
    http://diykindagirl.blogspot.com/2011/09/friday-finds-92311.html

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  16. CarmenSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:26 AM

    I'm gonna have to remember this. We too are redoing our kitchen on a serious budget. Thanks.

    Would love it if you would link this up to our Rockin' link party going on now at RoCa and Company. Here is the link: http://rocaandcompany.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-fall-and-you-rock-2.html Come and show off what you got. Hope to see you there...

    Remember...YOU ROCK!!

    Carmen @
    RoCa and Company
    www.rocaandcompany.blogspot.com

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  17. At The Picket FenceSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    You are just too clever and it looks gorgeous! Great way to get the look you wanted for much, much less! Thank you for sharing this at Inspiration Friday!

    Heather

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  18. UnknownSeptember 23, 2011 at 12:42 PM

    Smart idea and inexpensive
    visiting from the shabby nest
    Pass by if you have time
    Rasha @ mychampagnetastebeerbudget

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  19. ChristinaSeptember 23, 2011 at 1:41 PM

    Looks fantastic!!
    xo

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  20. BluBabesCreateSeptember 23, 2011 at 4:45 PM

    From one Emily to another cute, cute, cute! Come check out pink girl and blue boy!

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  21. TaushaSeptember 23, 2011 at 8:16 PM

    how very clever! I am sucker for the cabinet lighting as well. So excited to try this! Thanks for the inspiration. Have a happy weeekend!

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  22. Anita @ GoingALittleCoastalSeptember 23, 2011 at 10:10 PM

    It does add a lovely glow to your cabinets! I was just thinking that I needed some lights under my own cabinets!

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  23. TracyMB @ Crows Feet ChicSeptember 24, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    Oh my gosh, you are brilliant (no pun intended)!! I have two open shelves in my kitchen that I have wished were lit... now they will be! Thank you so much!! :)

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  24. Jenny @ Simcoe StreetSeptember 24, 2011 at 12:47 PM

    Amazing!

    Jenny
    www.simcoestreet.blogspot.com

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  25. Lauren @ My Wonderfully MadeSeptember 24, 2011 at 6:28 PM

    This is just beautiful! I love the cabinet and could see why you wanted it lip up -- great idea!

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  26. LP aka A Crafty Southern ChickSeptember 25, 2011 at 12:54 AM

    Fabulous! I think it looks gorgeous. Now I want to do this to the under side of my kitchen cabinets!!! I love that it's more of a glow and not a harsh light. Awesome!

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  27. JoySeptember 26, 2011 at 12:45 AM

    This is great! My husband did something like this for my craft closet, which does not have a light. We used a plug in string of lights and tacked them up just inside the double closet doors, where they are hidden like yours! We have a plug just 10" from the closet door so we are able to plug them right in. My hubby put an off/on switch at the outlet so I can turn it on before I open the doors. I'm going to keep your idea of using the battery operated lights for my craft show displays. Love your blog, too! Keep these great ideas coming!

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  28. Decor To AdoreSeptember 26, 2011 at 7:37 AM

    Oh I just love your cabinet lighting! I hope you will add your lovely metamorphosis to my Fall in Love linky party on Wednesday.

    Until then, stop by and see the under $20 makeover I gave an ugly brass light fixture.

    Happy Monday!

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  29. All That GlittersSeptember 26, 2011 at 10:10 AM

    Wow!! This looks so good! Love your halloween/fall touches too!

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  30. Delightful OrderSeptember 26, 2011 at 12:35 PM

    Thanks for linking up to last weeks party. You have been featured today! Stop by and grab a featured button.

    http://delightfulorder.blogspot.com/2011/09/featuring-you-top-ten-from-9222011.html

    Hope to see you back for the next Delightfully Inspiring Thursday Party.

    DaNita

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  31. Seek FirstSeptember 27, 2011 at 5:30 AM

    SO cute! Love the lights!

    I have a rosette necklace in a great giveaway right now, would love for you to enter and win! http://bouffeebambini.blogspot.com/2011/09/seek-first-rosette-necklace-giveaway.html

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  32. AnonymousSeptember 27, 2011 at 6:16 AM

    That is such an amazing idea! And for $10, you can't beat that!

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  33. JenniferSeptember 27, 2011 at 9:18 AM

    Awesome!! I love how it turned out! And your kitchen is beautiful!!
    Thanks for linking up to Southern Lovely's Show & Share!!

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  34. Phyllis @Around the HouseSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    Love your cabinet and the way you just took care of the lighting problem...it looks wonderful....I am a new follower...see you soon...Phyllis

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  35. PamelaSeptember 27, 2011 at 8:38 PM

    What a great idea! I was just trying to figure out where you p[lugged them in at till I read the box!

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  36. DIYbyDesignSeptember 28, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    You are very clever and who could beat the price tag? Great job. Thanks so much for sharing at my Fall into Fall party.

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  37. LisaSeptember 28, 2011 at 6:06 AM

    Great idea! It looks lovely.

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  38. Ann @ HousefinallySeptember 28, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    Awesome idea. I have been wanting to do this forever. Love that they are battery operated so no worries about having to drill a hole to plug it in!

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  39. ShellySeptember 28, 2011 at 5:07 PM

    What a fabulous idea! Your cabinet looks so beautiful.

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  40. Becca BertottiSeptember 29, 2011 at 3:12 AM

    Wow, this looks wonderful !! Such ambiance ... I think it gives off the perfect amount of light, too! Thanks for sharing!

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  41. MichelleOctober 3, 2011 at 9:51 AM

    I love this idea! I love soft lighting anywhere I can put them, it adds that super cozy feel. Now I need a glass front cabinet:) thanks for sharing!

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  42. visit this linkFebruary 24, 2013 at 11:09 PM

    Beautiful lighting! It just give the right amount of light for your cabinet. Can't wait to try this in our home.

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Thank you so very much for your sweet comment!!!

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