Under-cabinet lights are useful in various settings, from kitchens to dressing rooms. Not only can under cabinet lights make it easier to prepare meals and clean dishes, but they also add to the aesthetic appeal of your home. There are many alternatives to choose from, whether you want smart under cabinet lights that you can control with your smartphone or simple lights that you can stick on with adhesive pads. Here are the best under cabinet lighting ideas for you.
Under Cabinet Lighting: What You Should Know
Under cabinet lighting can change the look of a home from simple to stunning.
Colour temperature
The bulb’s colour temperature affects the overall appearance of the room and should be selected based on the desired function. For example, under cupboard lighting, it is typically used as a work lamp in the kitchen, where people often work with food and recipe books. Lower temperatures are often the ideal choice when it comes to work lighting. This is because it’s brighter and easier to understand what you’re doing. The kitchen must be at least 4200K.
You need warmer, more complimenting lights if you want to add the best under cabinet lighting to your sink or bathroom cabinet. Choose a colour temperature closer to that of normal incandescent bulbs, such as 2700k or lower.
Countertops
The efficiency of your under cabinet lighting will be influenced by the type of countertop you have, and this can assist you in deciding which sort of lighting to use:
• Matt-treated tabletops reflect the light softer and reduce glare.
• If the light is too bright, shiny surfaces such as granite and other types of stone can cause a lot of glare.
• Choose an instrument with a low lumen value or lens to scatter the light and reduce the amount of reflection.
•Light coloured countertops reflect light and reduce the lumen value required to provide a well-lit under cabinet space.
Dark tabletops absorb more light from lighting under the cabinet, so consider a higher lumen lighting solution to ensure you get the level of lighting you need.
Installation & Mounting
The best under cabinet lighting solutions are recessed and surface-mount lights. Non-recessed surface-mount lights, contrary to popular opinion, can often be easily hidden. The majority of the current alternatives are relatively thin, making them easier to conceal. Whether you use a built-in bulb or a surface-mounted bulb, there are three ways to mount it under cabinet light.
1. Complement
2. Battery
3. Wiring
Both plug-in and battery-powered lights are easy to install, but plug-in lights must have access to an electrical outlet. Still, for convenient battery replacement, battery-powered lights must be easily accessible. Wired lights, on the other hand, require a qualified electrician.
LEDs and fluorescents
LEDs and fluorescents are popular choices for best under cabinet lighting in kitchens since they emit little to no heat, keeping you cool as you cook. LEDs also work well in damp environments, making them an excellent alternative for restrooms.
Aesthetics, the amount of light you get, and how well the cabinet hides the lamp are all factors you need to consider when choosing a lamp.
Under-cabinet lighting is available in four different styles:
Puck Lights
Puck lights have a circular shape and resemble a hockey puck. They’re popular since they’re typically battery-operated, and installation is as simple as adhering them to the underside of your cabinet with adhesive tape.
Puck lights are appropriate for usage in the following situations:
- Rental units
- Narrow spaces
- No access to electrical outlets
- Areas where wiring is difficult or expensive
- Work lighting
Tape light (also called LED strip light)
If the bottom of the cabinet niche is very shallow or flat, a ribbon light is best. A quick and easy installation solution with peel-and-stick adhesive and standard plugs. It also prevents the cold and reduces the amount of heat given off to the kitchen.
The strip light is dimmable, slim (almost completely flat) and flexible and easy to hide or place in unusual or cramped spaces, such as under the counter. One disadvantage is that each 5-metre portion has its plug, making long projects more difficult to complete.
Tape lights are perfect for
- Oddly shaped or constrained locations
- Shallow recesses, such as beneath counters
- Smaller sections
- Accent lighting (5m or less)
Lights on a Rope
String lights are easy to install with just a few mounting clips and transformers, but they can be easily removed if you rent or are not ready to commit.
Although light cords are slightly larger than ribbon lights and thin enough to hide, they cannot be bent at a 90-degree angle without destroying them. However, it looks good in rounded corners.
Rope lights come in a range of colours and can be muted.
Use of striplights
Strip lights, larger than package lights and brighter than string or band lights, are a good option when used under cabinet lights for task lighting. They come in various lengths and are available as incandescent, fluorescent or LED.
If you want to illuminate the entire cabinet, select a connector. They can all be controlled by the parent fixture and work off of a single outlet (the light connected to the outlet).
Striplights are excellent for
- dimly lit kitchens
- areas with simply ambient lighting,
- task lighting.
Base cabinet lighting adds dimension to any area, whether you are looking for lighting that facilitates cooking, adds statement lighting to your bathroom or creates a cosy space. The important thing is to choose the best under cabinet lighting solution that suits you.
