Tiny House GuideBack to Kitchen

Lighting & Power

Good kitchen lighting is layered: bright task light where you work, softer ambient light for the room. LED keeps the power draw tiny — important off-grid. Pricing is shown per country; regions marked "being researched" are coming soon.

Tiny house kitchen lighting and USB options

Lighting & power options

Under-Cabinet LED Strip

Peel-and-stick LED tape under the overhead cabinets, lighting the bench directly. The number-one task light for a small kitchen — cheap, low-draw and tidy.

Advantages

  • Cheap and easy (peel-and-stick)
  • Very low power draw
  • Lights the bench where you work
  • Hidden, no floor/bench space used

Disadvantages

  • Needs a power supply/driver
  • Cheaper strips can be uneven (COB is best)
  • Not dimmable unless you add a dimmer

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 Australia$7 – $40 per 5m kit
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Pendant / Ceiling Lights (ambient)

Overhead pendants or downlights give general room light. Aim for ambient light around a third as bright as your task lighting, layered together.

Advantages

  • Lights the whole space
  • Pendants add style over a bench/bar
  • Pairs with task lighting

Disadvantages

  • Pendants can crowd a low ceiling
  • Another fixed fitting to wire
  • Glare if too bright alone

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaDownlights $15 – $60 each · pendants $40 – $200+
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

12V vs 240V (the off-grid choice)

12V LED runs straight off your battery — very efficient. But 12V fixtures can be lower quality and lose brightness over long runs, so some off-gridders prefer 240V via the inverter for more choice.

Advantages

  • 12V: most efficient, no inverter losses
  • 240V: huge fixture choice and quality
  • LED keeps either option low-draw

Disadvantages

  • 12V DC fixtures can be limited/lower quality
  • 12V loses voltage over long cable runs
  • 240V relies on the inverter being on

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaSystem dependent — plan with your electrician
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched

Power Points & USB / USB-C

Bench power for appliances, plus USB and USB-C points for phones and small devices. In a tiny kitchen, a couple of well-placed points beat many awkward ones.

Advantages

  • USB/USB-C saves plug packs
  • Combo socket + USB + light units exist
  • Plan for appliance spots (kettle, toaster)

Disadvantages

  • Must be installed by a licensed electrician
  • Wet-area placement rules near the sink
  • Limited wall space to fit them

Indicative pricing

🇦🇺 AustraliaGPO with USB approx $30 – $90 + install
🇺🇸 USABeing researched
🇨🇦 CanadaBeing researched
🇬🇧 UKBeing researched
🇪🇺 EuropeBeing researched
Off-grid tip. LED lighting draws so little that it's rarely the problem on an off-grid system — but plan your layout early. Decide with your electrician whether to run 12V direct from the battery or 240V through the inverter, since it affects how you wire the whole home.
Pricing & safety note: figures are indicative 2026 estimates in Australian dollars and exclude installation. All 240V wiring and power points must be installed by a licensed electrician, with wet-area placement rules near the sink. Regions marked "being researched" will be added soon. Last updated: June 2026.