If you’re wanting to add just one more thing to your kitchen, under cabinet lighting is a must. It’s a practical option, adding some task lighting to your counter space and night lighting when it’s mostly dark. It’s also aesthetically pleasing—washing the wall and creating a backsplash. Designers advise that “layers of light” be created in a space. By adding under cabinet lighting, you have added one of those “layers.” There are, of course, a lot of options though. We hope this article helps you choose the right one for your space. The first thing to do is pick is the correct light source.
Fluorescent, Xenon, or LED?
Fluorescents: These are energy efficient, give off a certain amount of light, and radiate very little heat. They’re a good option when whatever is below or above it can use bright light that cannot be dimmed. They are also inexpensive. As mentioned previously, they are efficient, using half the watts as xenon lights to create the same number of lumens/amount of light. These are great for task lighting but not so much for style, as their color rendering is poor and washes out color. If you want accent or aesthetically pleasing lighting, get LED under cabinet lights (that have a higher color rendering index) or xenon lights.
Xenons: While they aren’t as energy efficient and give off more heat, they don’t radiate the same amount of heat as halogen lights do. They are more aesthetically pleasing though, with full dimming capabilities. They give off a warm glow like an incandescent would. This can be a bad thing though as having heat coming in from a light below the cabinets can be kind of dangerous as the heat beating down on produce can spoil it. They are older technology but are known for their perfect color rendering. This is done with a white light that can make your counter look great. They cost less upfront but use a lot of energy as a lot is lost in the form of heat. When using them as task lighting, be sure to turn them on and off when you need and/or don’t need them.
LEDs: These are the most energy-efficient option. They also give off an appealing white light and are dimmable. They may cost more upfront but will save you in the end because they last 50,000 hours or nearly 6 years before they need to be switched out. LEDs use 25% as much energy as xenons do and half the energy fluorescents use. The LED under cabinet fixtures are wider than LED light bars and are interconnectable, giving a uniform glow to the entire counter space. While it’s not the same as the other fixtures mentioned here, LED tape light is easy to install. They have an adhesive back, which makes them quick to apply along the rim of a cabinet. They also come in different colors to create different backsplash looks.
What Kind of Fixture Should I Get?
Not only should you figure out what kind of light you should buy, it’s also important to pick the correct fixture. While linear under cabinet lights are recommended, some people prefer puck lights. These are good for concentration on more focused areas. It’s all up to what you prefer. Below is the rundown of that option along with others.
Puck lights: These come in a variety of finishes that’ll match the look of your room. They can positioned straight-down or angled to display the backsplash. They’re also good for accent lighting inside cabinets with glass doors. You also want to be sure they have sufficient spacing. There should be 8-12 inches of space in between each light.
Light strips: This type of lighting comes in different lengths, in normal and low voltage, and in customizable options for irregular cabinets. Get fixtures that are the same length as your cabinets. That way the light is distributed evenly. With light strips, you can also get linkable fixtures that’ll connect to the same outlet. You can power on/off and dim all of them at the same time.
Tape lights: These were discussed earlier but we may as well go over them one more time. They save space and go on with a peel-and-stick adhesive. This option is made of little LEDs that are inside a flexible tape strip. This tape is plugged into a normal outlet, but the light strips and their associated wiring have to be linked and that can get hard. If you have a complicated floor plan, you’ll want to hire an electrician to do the install.
Rope lights: These have a bigger diameter than tape lights. They are LEDs placed in a plastic tube. It’s installed near toe-kicks or under cabinets and sold in 12-, 24- and 120-volt variants. It’s wise to look at the display in the store to see the actual light output and color temperature. To keep the light color the same, buy your fixtures from the same family of products.
Should I Get Recessed or Surface Mount Lighting?
The important thing to consider here is that the surface, non-recessed lighting is so invisible that you’d have to intentionally look for it under the cabinet in order to see it. That means that either decision will be a good one.
What Kind of Power Should They Have—Hardwire, Plug-In, or Battery?
Hardwired light fixtures are connected to the power source while plug-in under cabinet lights just go into a standard outlet. You’ll probably choose based off whether there’s an electrical outlet nearby or not. If there isn’t, you may want to hardwire or get one with a battery. Some of these lights may be able to be set to be either hardwire or plug-in but a few are not. Therefore, check beforehand.
Other Things to Consider:
Color Temperature: This affects how the objects in your kitchen appear. The Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) is measured in kelvins. 2,700-3,500k is a warm glow while 3,500-5,000k is a cool light. Warm lighting creates an ambiance while cold temperatures are better for task lighting.
Lighting Placement: You’ll want to be sure the fixture will go under cabinets and disappear in the recess. It not only looks better, but also eliminate glare. This is especially true for those sitting across the room. In this case, you’ll want to install them near the front of the cabinet, tilted so they are facing the backsplash. In addition, the safe route is to put in some decorative moulding on the edge of the cabinets to conceal anything.
Lighting Systems: In addition to under cabinet lighting, some systems allow you to add docking stations, speakers, tablet cradles, and hidden outlets to create a workspace that is more functional.
Considerations: Figure out why you want/need the lighting in the kitchen—is it for task or ambient lighting? Do you want anything else (speakers, docking stations, etc.) under your cabinets? Choose accordingly.