Under cabinet lighting is a great way to light up your counters and other important kitchen features without flooding the whole room with bright light. It’s also an efficient way to provide task lighting in a kitchen that is usually already well-lit by other fixtures.
Under cabinet lights can be plug-in or hard-wired and are available in a variety of styles. Generally, LEDs are the most popular choice.
Warm, earthy tones, wrought iron fixtures, and rustic textures are all used in spanish style kitchen remodel. Strategic lighting, such as pendant lights and sconces, improves the ambiance and creates a pleasant, inviting atmosphere.
Improved Visibility
Unlike overhead lights that scatter light across the room, under cabinet lighting only illuminates what you need to see. It makes it easy to grab a plate or locate the ingredients you need without having to turn on the kitchen’s main lighting.
Many under cabinet lighting options are available with built-in dimmers that allow you to control how much or little light is produced. Additionally, you can choose from a variety of power sources. Plug-in designs can be easily installed while direct wire options require professional installation and can link multiple lights together on a single switch or dimmer.
LED lights are popular for under cabinet applications because of their energy efficiency and long lifespan. They also come in a variety of color temperatures from warm to cool, which helps homeowners customize the mood and feel of their kitchens.
Other lighting technology, like fluorescent fixtures, is available for those seeking a more traditional look. Xenon bulbs can produce a beautiful, natural glow that highlights granite or marble countertops, but they tend to get hot so are best used as an accent light.
Aesthetics
Cabinet lights offer a variety of aesthetic options that help make your kitchen unique and beautiful. Most of these fixtures are available in different color temperatures to create a mood. For example, warm white LEDs will add a cozy and intimate touch to your cooking, while cool white bulbs can provide a bright and energetic ambiance.
These lights can also highlight your custom backsplash, a special feature in the room or any other aspect that you would like to emphasize and enhance. Additionally, these lights can help cut down on glare caused by glossy countertops, especially if they are made of a reflective surface such as granite or high-polished quartz.
Another great thing about these lights is that they are easy to install and configure. They can be hardwired, plug-in or battery-operated. Moreover, these lights are usually connected to one or more dimmer switches that enable you to turn them on and off as needed.
Reduced Electric Bills
If you want a well-lit kitchen without having to turn on the overhead lights, under cabinet lighting is the answer. They also give a more customized lighting dimension to your space, allowing you to eliminate or accent shadows.
Energy efficient LED lights use the least amount of energy and emit minimal heat, making them ideal for under cabinet lighting. If you prefer a more traditional look, fluorescent lights are another great choice, although they do produce some heat and cannot be controlled with a dimmer switch.
More recent options include LED strip lighting, tape lights (which come in a wide range of colors and lengths) and puck lights (slim hockey-puck-sized disks). Whether hardwired or connected through plug-in units, these can be powered by electricity or battery operated. Integrated with smart home systems, they can be turned on and off remotely, adjusting the light color to create the desired ambiance.
Some can even be set to operate based on movement or automatically, providing added convenience and energy efficiency.
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Safety
Adding under cabinet lighting eliminates shadows and makes it easy to see countertops, reducing the risk of kitchen accidents. If you’re cooking, it helps prevent those embarrassing moments when you mix up a tablespoon for a teaspoon and ruin the recipe.
Puck lights (named for their hockey puck shape) and LED strip lights are a popular choice for under cabinet lighting because they offer a great combination of brightness, efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They use fewer bulbs than ceiling or table lamps and direct light where it is needed rather than spreading it around the room, which reduces energy consumption.
If you choose to add hard-wired under cabinet lights, it’s important that the circuit you plan on using can handle the extra wattage of these fixtures. Otherwise, you may find yourself dealing with blown fuses and other electrical issues. To avoid this problem, make sure your electrician uses a dedicated circuit for under cabinet lighting when installing the system.
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