Under Cabinet Lighting for Kitchens

Under cabinet lighting has been growing more and more popular over the years. You will find there are major benefits to placing lights under your cabinets. Kruse Home Improvement has installed under cabinet lighting for many of our customers. Under cabinet lighting can provide two functions in your kitchen. It can provide task lighting for countertop food preparation and accent lighting to highlight your countertop and backsplash. If you are planning to remodel your kitchen, below are more reasons why you may want to consider adding these to your kitchen.

 

Lights under your cabinets give direct light to an object eliminating or lessening shadows. This makes your room appear bright and clear which is perfect for a kitchen. In addition, under cabinet lights generally use less power which allows you sufficient light at a minimal cost.

 

Under cabinet lighting installed by KHI
brighten up this kitchen.

In the past, most people considered using lights only on the ceiling. Under cabinet lighting gives additional distinction and unique style to your room. Many kitchen countertops are made from granite or marble. These lights can make your stone countertops shine.
 

These under cabinet lights installed by KHI really
illuminate the countertop and backsplash in this kitchen.

Types of under cabinet lighting include the following:

Strip Lights: These are rectangular shaped fixtures and they work well with fluorescent bulbs. They are great for providing diffused light to the kitchen.

Puck Lights: These are round fixtures that got their name from their round, hockey puck-like size and appearance. These lights are best for highlighting countertops and backsplashes. Puck lights work with LED, halogen and xenon bulbs and can be mounted in different positions to either aim downward or at the backsplash. As an alternative, puck lights can usually be recessed into cabinets.

Linear lights: Linear lights are often used with fluorescent bulbs. They are the most popular types of fluorescent under cabinet kitchen lighting because they are thin, which allow them to be hidden behind the cabinet trim.

 

Under cabinet lighting installed by KHI.

You will find there are a wide variety of bulb options for under cabinet lighting. Choose a soft, dim light or a bold and bright light. The choice is yours. It is not hard to find the bulbs you like best. Types of bulbs include the following:

Fluorescent bulbs: These are commonly used for under cabinet lighting fixtures. They create a bright work area by providing clear light. The disadvantage of fluorescent lights is that they cannot be dimmed and they sometimes flicker.

Halogen bulbs: Homeowners seeking a bright, white light choose halogen bulbs. These bulbs have an extremely long life and can last up to 2,000 hours.

Incandescent bulbs: These bulbs are the least popular choice for under cabinet lighting as they are not very bright. Incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient and they emit heat. They last half as long as halogen bulbs.

LED bulbs: These bulbs are becoming a more popular choice among homeowners as they become more commonly available at lighting and home improvement stores. LED bulbs come in a variety of colors and provide homeowners with the ability to create unique decorative features. LED bulbs are best for puck lighting.

Xenon bulbs: These bulbs have the longest lifespan of all under cabinet light bulb options. They can last up to 10,000 hours and are energy efficient as they do not create heat.

You do not need to spend a lot of money to install under cabinet lighting. The bulbs and cables are not expensive but will add to the look and value of your home. In addition to a kitchen, under cabinet lights are popular in a study room, basement or garage.

For more information, call Kruse Home Improvement at 860-877-0775.




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