As usual, I have trouble picturing the situation.
I share the feeling (if I hear you correctly) that things on the shelf will need to be cleaned sometimes so best be things easy to clean now and then (or in my case every other year or three
).
I love love my undercabinet lighting but in that case it gives you gentle task lighting, and gentle room lighting for nighttime snacking such as right now.
Maybe art on the wall under the shelf, to be the reason for some light? Says I who have about zero wall space for art in the kitchen and generally zero art in the whole house.
