Op mentioned they are in a tiny NYC apartment, so there is potentially ZERO counter space for paper towels (under counter may be the only feasible place. I would put the holder in front of the under counter lighting (lighting being in the back closest to the wall).

It just so happens that I have UCL (cheap tape LED stips from Lowe's) and a UC paper towel holder. These UCL's put out a lot of light. Below is a pic showing the dead spot is mostly on the backsplash, not the counter.

My LED strip lights are towards the front of my cabinet. I have a paper towel dispenser on the wall behind.

UC Lights should never be at the rear. Always the front. There’s another solution. There always is. Post an actual picture.

Why not just get LED tape lights? They work great and the paper towel holder can go right behind it . The lights go right up against the front of the cabinet

an option: put paper towel holder on inside door under sink...maybe not the best solution but better than behind lights., imo.

I use paper towels frequently so I want them right there on the counter.

Next to my handsoap and lotion dispenser.

I think form follows function and in a small kitchen with limited counter space, install a paper towel holder under the cabinet.

In terms of lighting, I am not seeing the problem since the lights are task lights so what does it matter if they light up the paper towels when they are on.

I keep mine in a cupboard between the sink and stove. I more frequently use cloth towels though

Wow, thanks everyone! Very kind of you to take the time to help others. Posting hopefully a useful picture as Sophie requested.

Sptphntc7a and leelee, I really can't spare the counter space for a dispenser and my only viable base cabinet is already too jammed...the door would never close. Under cabinet is the only way.

Cpartist I considered tape lights but have quartz countertops. Inspired LED convinced me the reflections would be too stark and that panels with diffusion covers were the best choice to minimize that.

Helen, it is task lighting but other times I also want it to create a nice dimmed down ambiance. That's why I'm wondering if the uc dispenser is going to stick out in some unpleasant way. Can I ask nidnay, zmith and jhmarie if you dim your lights this way and what the effect on the dispenser is? Thanks again!

Veryscreaming, my UCLs are not on dimmers nor do they have diffusers, however, that's not an issue with my laminate counters. With your dark quartz counters, you will probably have an unattractive reflection from the LEDs without diffusers.

You can see in my picture the paper towels are very brightly illuminated with the lights on. My paper towel dispenser is as far back and I could get it and the lights are right inside the front edge of the cabinets. Hope this helps. :)

I have my under cabinet lighting on almost always just because I like the way it lights up the kitchen. It is LED strip and I have not felt a problem with reflection on the countertop. My system was a DIY system which I eventually had wired to a switch by an electrician - so it does not have all the bells and whistles that some have - it does not dim.

My kitchen is a refreshed older kitchen. Under cabinet lighting only between sink and range:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~110720042

Lights:

https://www.houzz.com/photos/my-pics-work-in-progress-phvw-vp~81033766

The paper towel holder is old - goes back to my first kitchen, but it is a vintage style kitchen so I kept it. It stays in place in part due to some command strips on the back as well as the wall fasteners.

I would do the tape light. Yes, you get a little bit of reflection, but it is not bad. I DIYed these tape lights, and I think it’s fine in the overall scheme.

Cant get that pic to post. :(. https://www.houzz.com/products/cambria-seams-prvw-vr~8950243 

Here’s another with darker brown cabinets and a closeup, using the tape lights. I don’t think it’s too bad here either.

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Same kitchen, distance shot.

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M

It’s not a very large picture, so it is hard to tell, but is there any wall space somewhere lower down where you could mount your PT holder ? ( ie. the wall to the right of the sink or somewhere else ? ). Our uc lights have a brighter option and a dimmer option . We use the dimmer setting most of the time for the ambiance( even for task lighting ) .Ours are mounted toward the back so they wash the wall beautifully. — Sophie, why do you say UC lighting should ALWAYS be mounted in the front ? The overhead recessed lighting in our home is already toward the front and it was the back of the countertop that was in the shadows if we needed more task lighting. So, I think it depends upon the rest of the lighting in each case. Also, having it in the back does wash the wall in such a pretty way at the very place where it is usually darker - the other lighting being obscured by the cabinetry.

Meant to add , when I said, they wash the wall beautifully ,— make no mistake- they also illuminate the entire countertop surface all the way to the front, as well, even on the dimmer setting.

Here are some pics. Remember, my uc lights are back towards the wall (they ARE on dimmers).....ignore the blank walls, I’ve not installed the backsplash yet :)

Full lights.....

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Dimmed.....

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Towels pushed towards the back to simulate how they would look if your lights are installed in the front of the cabs.... full light....

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Dimmed....

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I do not think paper towels should be on kitchen counters and definitely not attached to cabinetry. I install a stainless holder on the inside door of my cabinets underneath sinks in the kitchen, laundry room, Florida room (basically everywhere except bathrooms) for easy access, but hidden from view.

Wow, your kitchens look gorgeous! and so spacious. Mine is like that trash compactor scene in Star Wars where the walls are closing in as our heroes scream for help :)

As nice as Cook's tape lights look, my space is so concentrated that I'm afraid attention would be drawn to the individual reflections of the strips. If the lighting is as diffuse as possible it might help keep the emphasis on the space as a whole (such as it is).

I'm thinking of lighting towards the back for the reasons elucidated by niccidhg and demonstrated by nidnay (thank you so much for the custom photos!) Particularly if, at full brightness, the illumination extends to the counter's front edge. Unless Sophie can talk me out of it. :)

Finally, the backsplashes will likely be Persian-pattern paintings on glass (by my impossibly talented sister) so I feel I'll have more control over their presentation if the lighting is closer to them.

Boy, I thought I'd have one or two answers by the end of the weekend...thanks again for all you've given me to think about! Heading out now for a weekend of my own, will post updates soon!

UC lighting at the back lights the backsplash, and the counter only secondarily. UC lighting at the front, primarily lights the work surface, as intended.

Unless you have recessed lights directly over your counters, and not behind your head, your work surface will lack enough light with the UC lighting positioned towards the rear.

As you can see from the pic, there is so little light falloff from front to back that it's no problem for the uc lights to illuminate the counter for tasks. In fact, if the Keurig was not blocking the light, it would be even brighter. Also, I have no recessed can above this little coffee station.

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In regards to lighting,

the color hue of the lighting effects the surrounding colors.

A dimmer switch is a bonus.

I have been really liking 3000k LED lights. even though it's on the warm end of the spectrum, this color appears bright and neutral to me. not too yellow.

I like how some of the commenters here are not listening to what the OP needs. this is a new york apartment we're talking here. some new yorkers use their oven as a closet for lack of storage space. hanging paper towels may be the only option.

I think the first two photos nidnay posted look like the best option -- with the paper towels in front of the lights.

also I agree with what zmith said about glossy counters and glare. I used to have strip lights behind my TV, which is in front of a glossy dark wall. you could totally see the individual bulbs reflecting, and I wasn't happy with the look (would take a photo but I already fixed that issue).

I'm with the OP on the tape light, those weird pinpoints of light would be annoying, as per The Cook's Kitchen.

But fortunately there are narrow undercab lights that are diffusing.

As for front or back... I don't think it really matters unless you have a large piece of equipment on the counter (say a counter microwave or coffee maker), then you would definitely want front lighting.

Having visited my share of NYC apartments, I totally get where you are coming from, and frankly, having seen under cab towel holders even in larger apartments, I think they're perfectly fine and efficient, and far better than having to duck into an under counter cabinet for the towels each and every time one uses one (then again I'm tall, so for me less efficient.)

Thanks B F and artemis, we're all singing off the same sheet of music here.

I'm going with diffused panels (3000 B F!) mounted toward the back, behind the PT dispenser. If Sophie is right about there not being enough light toward the front edge of the counters I will find a solution. BTW, why does everyone say overhead task lights must be recessed? Wouldn't, for instance, cable track lighting on a dimmer do the trick?

Beyond space & aesthetics, I didn't mention another reason for needing paper towels out front and available: One of my sons has medical issues and we have professionals in our apartment every day working with him. So they need an efficient hand wash station and can't, as artemis said, go ducking into cabinets for PTs. I've just added one of those Umber auto soap dispensers, hope it lasts :)

I'll post a pic next week when the uc lighting is up. Thanks again to everyone for your interest and support!

Here is my tape lights on a very shiny quartzite counter. Tape lights will show less in terms of when you sit down than what you're planning. Mine are dimmable too.
I put the tape lights in front and the paper towel right behind it. It's THIS Simple Human paper holder and it's great.

Wow cpartist, your kitchen is a whole 'nother level!

I'm unable to zoom up the PT holder but I see that the lights are in front. Can you elaborate on what you meant about tape lights showing less when sitting down? Also, I do have that same holder. Do you have it mounted under the cabinet or to the wall?

Can you elaborate on what you meant about tape lights showing less when sitting down? -- I'm guessing that what they meant to say is that if your lights are near the back of the cabinet bottoms, you will probably be able to see them easily when sitting in the kitchen. just make sure the fixture installation is neat and tidy, and the lights are directed down so they don't glare into your eyes.

if you can see the light fixtures and don't like how they look, you could install a slat of wood about 2" in front of the lights to act as kind of a valance (if that makes sense).

If anyone is interested, contrary to my own plan I wound up installing the UC panels under the front of the cabinets instead of the back. I did this everywhere except the PT holder. There, I mounted one just behind it, not all the way to the rear.

The choice for me was simple: I could see the panels in the back and not in the front. The PT holder hides the panel to an acceptable degree, and there is no noticeable inconsistency between the PT panel and the next one in front thanks to excellent diffusion. The glare/reflection I worried about is not a factor and I've got a dual wireless dimmer mounted to the wall. Very happy with the results! Thanks again to everyone for your help.

Btw, I used "Independence" dimmers and "Designer" panels both by InspiredLED. Peter did a good job, quickly providing plans and suggestions and also fixing a hiccup when a piece arrived defective.

I use an under cabinet paper towel holder- would not have it elsewhere. I despise having it sitting on the counter. I skipped the lighting under that cabinet as it is right next to the sink and it wasn’t needed. I have lots of light there.

I don't particularly like paper towels on the counter top but I do use them often, frequently grabbing them with dirty or wet hands. I don't relish the thought of opening cabinets & cupboards with soiled or wet hands looking for a towel. That's how the handles and doors behind the handles get dirty & greasy. So, on the counter the paper towels go. With a decent looking towel holder, it's fine. It's a kitchen for cry eye! I also like the look of installing a holder under an upper the cabinet, especially if it's cute like that copper pipe Artistsharonva posted.

lay it horizontal on a shelf near your fav food platters... above the stove, or on a door hanger inside a cabinet door. People use too many paper towels. Waste of money. Get a brush, a scrubber, some dishcloths, a sponge on a handle/soap dispenser, and a mop. Only use paper towels under fried steak,hamburger patties, chicken, fish, french fries or breakfast sausage patties. Hiding them helps break that grab habit. LOL Only the white ones are microwave safe so they are not artsy anymore. Recall the days of Pink and Blue toilet paper?? LOL

“People use too many paper towels”

LOL