Other Lighting/Kitchen Sites
This is where you can enter some fine print about your website. Maybe your information or your ™
Under Cabinet Lighting Kitchen Choices for Beauty and FunctionThe home kitchen has evolved from an area used solely for food preparation into a multifunctional space over the years. Along with this evolution in usage, kitchen lighting technology has also progressed, providing occupants with more choices of light besides the center ceiling fixture which used to be depended on as the sole source of kitchen illumination.
One extremely popular development is under cabinet lighting. The reason for the popularity is that such fixtures make great use of available space underneath existing kitchen cabinets, are hidden from sight, and provide a good source for task lighting for kitchen chores. Under cabinet fixtures also provide a wonderfully warm ambient light when simple background illumination is required and an attractive decorative lighting that accentuates kitchen design.
Today’s technology offers home-owners a variety of under cabinet lighting options for the modern kitchen, both in fixtures and light bulbs. Following are some tips for how to choose under cabinet lighting kitchen sources that will both meet functional needs as well as add beauty to your home kitchen.
Types of Under Cabinet Lighting Fixtures
When shopping for under cabinet lighting fixtures, you will find that there are various types to choose from. Here is a list of the most common choices.
Light Bars – These are the traditional rectangular under cabinet light fixtures which apply light evenly over a broad area. They can be purchased in different lengths to accommodate various space needs.
Puck Lights – About the size and shape of a hockey puck, each of these fixtures concentrates light onto a small area. When using puck lights, you will usually want to use two or more depending on your specific under cabinet lighting needs, spacing them between 25 to 30 inches apart. Puck lights can either be surface mounted or recessed.
Hard-wired Fixtures – Hard-wiring your under cabinet light fixtures directly into your electrical system provides a number of advantages. Hard-wired fixtures ensure a reliable light source, full wire concealment, and convenient on-off operation from a wall switch. If you want to reduce energy use, hard-wired fixtures can either be fitted with a transformer that reduces energy usage to 12-24 volts, or some models come with a built-in transformer. Hard-wiring should be done by a professional electrician.
Plug-in Fixtures – Plug-in units are relatively inexpensive and allow for easy DIY installation which then plug in to a nearby wall outlet. The main problem with plug-in under cabinet light fixtures is that the cord is visible from where it exits the bottom of the cabinet to the wall outlet.
Battery-operated Fixtures – If you’re looking to keep lighting expense down and avoid showing unattractive wires, you might choose a battery-operated under cabinet lighting unit. Such units are also easy to apply. However, they are more trouble to operate since each light requires that it be turned on and off individually and batteries need to be changed periodically.
Types of Under Cabinet Lighting Bulbs
You will also find that there are various light bulb options to consider when choosing under cabinet lighting fixtures for your kitchen.
Fluorescent Bulbs – By far, the most common bulb which provides a cool light, is cost effective, and lasts between 5,000 and 20,000 hours.
LED Bulbs – LEDs (light emitting diodes) are becoming increasingly popular due to their appealing light and cost efficiency. LED bulbs burn less energy and generally last over 50,000 hours.
Xenon Bulbs – Xenon is a blend of incandescent light with xenon gas which gives the bulb a longer lifespan. Xenon bulbs emit a warm light and last for around 8,000-10,000 hours. However, keep in mind that xenon bulbs burn hot and are not recommended for installation under cabinets that contain perishable foods.
Halogen Bulbs – Halogen light is very bright and intense. The bulbs burn quite hot and, therefore, are not recommended for under cabinet kitchen lighting, especially below cabinets containing perishable foods.
Keep in mind that some under cabinet lighting kitchen units can be fitted with a dimmer switch which can adds diversity and convenience to your kitchen lighting experience as well as reduces energy cost.
Under Cabinet Lighting Kitchen