Indirect Kitchen Lighting - Under Cabinet Lights Done Right
A kitchen is the heart of a home. It's where we gather, cook, and create memories with family and friends. Yet many kitchens suffer from poor, insufficient lighting that turns food prep into a dull chore. That's where under cabinet lighting comes in. Installing lights directly beneath upper cabinets creates brilliant task illumination precisely where you need it most in your kitchen - over the counters and workstations. Under cabinet lights provide superior visibility for chopping, cooking, and cleaning while adding a subtle decorative glow. Read on to discover how to elevate your kitchen with under cabinet lighting done right.
Under cabinet lighting refers to long, narrow lighting fixtures mounted underneath kitchen wall cabinets and directed downward. Unlike glarey overhead lights, under cabinet lights shine upwards and indirectly illuminate countertops and backsplashes. This focused task lighting makes it safer and easier to handle kitchen tasks like slicing, dicing, and reading recipes. Under cabinet lights come in handy strip lights, puck lights, or stylish light bars that mount directly to the underside of cabinets with adhesive or screws. Outfitting your kitchen with these discreet but powerful lights can make a world of difference in both form and function.
Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting
Here are some of the many benefits this brilliant kitchen lighting provides:
- Task lighting where you need it - Focused light directly on kitchen countertops for food prep tasks.
- Ambient lighting - Provides general, subtle illumination for the whole kitchen.
- Showcases decor - Highlights and accentuates backsplashes, cabinets, and displays.
- Appears larger - Reflective light makes kitchen spaces feel more open.
- Design element - Adds style, accentuates features, and impresses guests.
Types of Under Cabinet Lights
Today's under cabinet lighting offers slim, low-profile designs and advanced features for impressive illumination. Here are some of the most popular options:
LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights are likely the most common under cabinet lighting choice. These LED light strips come with peel-and-stick adhesive backing for easy DIY installation. Just peel off the backing and press into place under cabinets. Connect multiple strip lights together to illuminate extra long spans. LED strips diffuse soft, even light perfect for illuminating countertops without harsh glare. Slim LED strips also work for ambient lighting inside glass-front cabinets. LED strips are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and affordable.
Puck Lights
For a more focused beam of task lighting, puck lights are a great under cabinet choice. These compact, round lights fit neatly just about anywhere. Puck lights feature adjustable heads to direct light precisely where needed. Just like LED strips, puck lights typically use efficient LED bulbs. Puck lights work well spaced at regular intervals beneath cabinets or above sinks. They deliver excellent task lighting in a tidy, minimalist form factor.
Light Bars
Light bars offer a high-design look compared to strips and puck lights. Light bars for under cabinets come as slim aluminum or acrylic tubes mounting directly to cabinets. Many feature sleek modern finishes like matte black or brushed nickel. Bars diffuse soft ambient light or direct a focused task lighting beam. Their tube shape beautifully highlights linear cabinets and countertops. Light bars work especially well over kitchen islands and peninsulas to provide both form and function.
Choosing Under Cabinet Lighting
With so many under cabinet lighting options, how do you choose what will work best for your kitchen? Start by considering these key factors:
Lighting Needs and Goals
First identify if you need mainly task lighting over countertops, ambient lighting throughout the kitchen, or accent lighting for design. This guides you to pick task-focused puck lights, decorative light bars, or diffuse LED strips.
Types of Cabinets and Spacing
Factor in your existing kitchen layout and cabinet sizes. Measure the gap between your cabinets to determine what light shapes and sizes can fit. This also helps calculate the illumination spread and lighting output needed.
Controls and Smart Options
Many lights offer handy features like dimmers for adjustable brightness or motion sensors to automatically turn on and off. Smart options let you control lights by app and voice or sync with larger smart home systems. Decide if any of these features are useful for your kitchen.
Installation and Placement
Proper installation and positioning ensures your under cabinet lights maximize visibility and style. Follow this guidance for lighting done right.
Hardwired vs Plug-In Options
Hardwired under cabinet lights need professional installation to connect into existing kitchen wiring. Plug-in lights are much easier for DIY, allowing you to simply plug into a nearby outlet.
Positioning Lights
Concentrate your under cabinet lighting over countertops, islands, sinks, and other food prep areas. For ambient lighting, add interior cabinet lights or strips along upper walls. Use multiple smaller lights vs. fewer long fixtures for fuller coverage.
Installation Steps
Installing under cabinet lighting includes:
- Preparing cabinet surfaces
- Marking light positions
- Mounting lights with adhesive, screws, or clips
- Connecting app-controlled or hardwired lights
- Testing the lights and adjusting as needed
Taking care to properly prepare, mount, and position the lights guarantees optimal visibility and beauty.
Energy Saving Under Cabinet Lighting
Under cabinet lights make it easy to reduce your kitchen's energy use with these strategies:
LED Lighting
Always choose energy-efficient LEDs rather than halogen or incandescent bulbs which consume more electricity. LEDs last over 25 times longer than traditional bulbs while using a fraction of the power.
Smart Lighting Controls
Automating under cabinet lights with motion sensors, timers, or voice controls ensures lights stay off when not needed. Connecting lights to a smart home system allows easy on/off and dimming from anywhere.
Multi-Scene Setups
Grouping key kitchen zones on separate lighting controls allows customizing illumination. For example, keep task lighting over the countertop brighter than ambient cabinet lighting for better efficiency.
Stylish Under Cabinet Lighting Ideas
The right under cabinet lighting can make your kitchen as beautiful as it is bright. Get creative with these eye-catching looks:
Color-Changing Lights
LED strips and pucks with changeable color options let you alter the kitchen lighting to suit any mood or occasion. Slowly transition from bright white task lighting to a soft accent hue.
Lighting Showcases
Use lights inside glass-front cabinets to artfully display collectibles and dishware. Or spotlight prized artwork and decor on kitchen walls with dedicated picture lighting.
Mixing Lighting Types
Combine tape lights for task illumination with puck and cabinet lights for dramatic accents. Extend lighting versatility by plugging in portable table and floor lamps.
Under cabinet lighting dramatically elevates both the form and function of any kitchen. The right placement provides essential visibility for meal prep and cleanup while showcasing your beautiful backsplash and cabinetry. Take advantage of energy-efficient lighting technology like LEDs paired with smart controls for added savings. With so many under cabinet lighting shapes, sizes and options now available, it's never been easier to achieve a brilliant, inviting kitchen space you'll love entertaining in.