Hi Christine, We normally go with a diffuser / profile (generally they are both part of the same item) if the LED's are going to be visible (ie under wall cabinets in a kitchen) or just as is without a diffuser if under the units on the plinth in the main. Have a look here for someone who used them under both areas without a diffuser and you can just about see the small pinpoints of light when you look close enough under the wall units. These aren't too high though so you'd not normally see them when you're standing. Take a look at Sensio as they are really good, very simple to use (push to fit, no soldering) and are a reasonable cost. http://www.sensio.co.uk/Kitchen-Lighting/flexible-strip-lighting.html (we use the primo 5m strip) And here for the diffusers: http://www.sensio.co.uk/kitchen-lighting/profiles.html  You'll need transformers and cables etc to complete the system so best to speak direct to Senio or to a local stockist who can make sure you get everything in 1 go. Hope that helps! Julian Ocean Home Designs

You can get colour change LEDs to create any colour and change to create different moods. Alternatively you can have more than one set of lights. For instance you might prefer warm white under your cabinets and plinths but put coloured LED strips above your cabinets. In a former house I had amber coloured lights above the cabinets which I loved. In my current dining room I have spotlights set into the floor with orange lights on a dimmer- they spill light into the wall and everyone seems to like the atmosphere they create.

I usually draw then so they centre up to each door.

Everyone really seems to be "pro" tape strips! When I've costed it up, it's roughly the same to do both sides with LED linkable striplights, as is to do tape ones (after factoring in extra drivers and aluminium ducting profiles etc). Given that the LED linkable stiplights put out loads more light (35W for the 2.7m cabinets) vs tape lights which seem to be 10-15W over 5m (so approx half that for my cabinets), why would I want to go with tape? Are there any advantages of tape over striplights (other than being able to fix it flexibly round bends)?