Your kitchen will be illuminated beautifully and functionally with under-cabinet light strips. Rather than being showpieces, under cabinet lights are workhorses. Their illumination of dark surfaces makes it easier to cook meals and navigate the kitchen safely and efficiently. The downside is that they only provide a little light, but they can come in handy when overhead lights aren’t providing the lighting angles you need.
There are many benefits to using under-cabinet lighting. Installation and setup are more complicated than with standard screw-in bulbs. The purpose of this guide is to assist you in choosing and installing an under-cabinet lighting solution.
Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting:
In kitchens, under-cabinet lighting is optional, but if you choose not to install it, you will miss out on many great benefits. You will see everything better in your kitchen if it has more light. By using this lighting option, you can also make your kitchen feel more welcoming and joyful.
Illuminates the following areas:
These lights add focus to work surfaces and highlight the backsplash while complementing the overhead light. To ensure your cuts and measurements are accurate, you must have the proper lighting when chopping vegetables, measuring ingredients, and reading bread recipes. A teaspoon and a tablespoon would certainly not be mixed up simply because you couldn’t tell what the abbreviation was simply because there needed to be more light. Adding under cabinet lights to your kitchen will provide additional illumination whenever you need it.
Shadows are eliminated:
Overhead lights can only partially eliminate shadows created by upper wall cabinets. In addition to the upper wall cabinets casting a shadow, your head can block the light from above, casting a shadow on the wall. Under-cabinet lighting adds another source of light where you need it, which will be much more difficult to block. Your food preparation and cooking tasks will be easier to see with under-cabinet lights.
Provides a stylish and ambiance-enhancing kitchen:
Lighting under your cabinets can make a massive difference in the look and feel of your kitchen. Their warmth and elegance infuse a room. When it comes to lighting in a room, it is sometimes desirable to have a bit of light but not too much lighting. Overhead lighting can be a glaring source of light regardless of how dim it is, sometimes making it unnecessary.
The flexibility provided by these options is more significant. The effect is similar to a nightlight in a child’s bedroom. That light provides enough to warm the child and keep them awake during the night but not enough to illuminate the entire room or keep them awake. Under cabinet, light strips are similar in that they are so bright to see what you are doing or where you are going but not bright enough for your entire home to be awakened. In addition to creating a warm atmosphere, it is also ideal for creating a romantic ambiance without simply dimming the overhead lights. Abright is one of the trusted manufacturers & suppliers of led lighting solutions.
In addition, under-cabinet lighting can be an excellent option if you have a fantastic backsplash or another impressive kitchen feature. Highlight those features with special lighting so that you can admire them no matter what other type of lighting is in the room.
Lights that consume less energy than overhead lights:
Since under-cabinet lights are more energy-efficient than primary kitchen light fixtures, they are an excellent way to reduce your electric bills. It won’t be necessary to turn on each leading light in the kitchen to see what you’re doing if you have under cabinet lights. Turning on the kitchen’s bright leading lights may not be necessary if you only get a glass of water or dig in the junk drawer.
Ensures a comfortable aging-in-place:
Are you planning to live at home as you age? In aging-in-place homes, under-cabinet lighting improves safety. Lighting in the kitchen is essential in reducing the risk of kitchen accidents. Layered lighting is an effective way to prevent these accidents. As well as eliminating glare, these lights are gentle on the eyes of the elderly.
Non-toxic:
In addition to being durable, LED lights do not contain mercury or other toxic chemicals. It is essential to consider this if you are installing under cabinet lighting in a kitchen since you do not want food and food preparation areas to be accidentally contaminated.
Types of Under Cabinet Lighting:
Take a look at the different types of light bulbs available once you have decided whether to DIY or hire a professional to do the hard wiring. Before you decide which to buy, you should consider each one’s advantages and disadvantages.
LED Strip Under Cabinet Lighting:
Strip lights are an effective alternative to “fixtures” under cabinets if you do not want or need them. When LED strips are installed correctly, they are barely visible – you will only see their light when turned on.
It’s best to use LED strip lights as accent lighting since they are less bright than other lights. Before investing in light bulbs, ensure you know what lighting you need.
Pros:
- No, It is end-to-end mountable, so there are no dead spots, and it produces even light.
- After installation, it is virtually invisible.
- Waterproof options are available.
- Under cabinet lighting is usually cheaper than other types.
- You can expect it to take a long time.
- Its peel-and-stick installation makes DIY projects easy.
Cons:
- Depending on your preferences or applications, more light may need to be produced.
- You may have to pay extra if a track and lens are required.
- An additional power supply may be required.
- Under cabinet lights that are dimmer than others.
Fluorescent Fixtures:
Lighting under cabinets with fluorescent fixtures is a classic option. Taking advantage of the many benefits of lighting without needing anything too fancy makes them an excellent middle-of-the-road option.
Pros:
- Connecting them will make the lighting more even.
- Halogens and xenons are warmer than incandescent bulbs.
- Options for plugging in and hardwiring.
- Compared to other types of under-cabinet lighting, this one is brighter.
Cons:
- It can be costly.
Xenon Fixtures:
Due to its perfect color rendering index (CRI), xenon fixtures are among the oldest under-cabinet lighting technologies.
Granite and marble countertops pop with Xenon bulbs’ clean, white light. However, it is essential to note that they can be extremely hot. They are not recommended for all-day light sources due to their extreme heat. Don’t let xenon lights come into contact with fresh flowers, meltable food, or fruits.
Pros:
- A 3-way switch controls the high-low-off function.
- It can be hardwired or plugged in.
- Adjustable dimming.
- Installation costs are lower at the beginning. It is close to 100 CRI.
Cons:
- Energy is consumed in large quantities.
- Emission of high amounts of heat.
Puck Lights:
With puck lights, you will be supported in your investment. The hockey puck shape gives them their name. They are one of the most popular options for under-cabinet lighting.
Depending on your preferences and where they’ll be used, puck lights can be powered by LED, halogen, or xenon bulbs. It is, therefore, essential to determine where you need to utilize lighting and what your specific needs are. Halogen and xenon bulbs can have a CRI of almost 100, so if color purity is essential to you, then these bulbs are a good option.
Depending on the model, puck lights can be either battery-powered or stick-on. If you don’t plan on living in the house for a long time, investing a lot of money in hardwired lighting is optional. Those renting their homes or who don’t want to deal with wiring will find them an excellent choice.
Pros:
- Easy-to-install battery-powered LED versions are available.
- Ensures that light is focused.
- Affordably priced.
- Adjustable dimming.
- A long-lasting product.
Cons:
- In some applications, they may not be suitable due to their circles of light instead of even lighting.
- When used with halogen bulbs, it can get very hot.
Final Thoughts:
Your kitchen cabinets are the first thing you should consider when choosing under cabinet lights. You want your kitchen cabinets to meet that standard if you want under-cabinet lighting to highlight your attractive features. Taking your kitchen design to a new level is easy with our elegant, durable cabinets.
Post time: Nov-24-2022