Table of Contents
How do I choose an under cabinet light?
To minimize reflection, choose light fixtures with a lens to soften light output. Light-colored counters reflect more light than darker counterparts, making your under cabinet lights appear brighter. If you have dark counters, consider a lamp with higher lumens to achieve the desired level of light under your cabinets.
What is the best wattage for under cabinet lighting?
Determine how much light you will need. As a point of reference, remember that kitchen counters – often lit by under-cabinet fixtures – need about 4 to 10 watts of power per foot with 5 mm LEDs or about 20 watts per foot with high-power LEDs.
What lights can I put under kitchen cabinets?
There are four common styles of under cabinet lighting to choose from: Puck Lights. Puck lights are round, similar in appearance to a hockey puck. Tape Lights (aka LED Strip Lights) Tape lights are a fantastic choice if you have an extremely shallow or flat under cabinet recess. Rope Lights. Striplights (aka Strip Lamps).
How many lumens is good for under cabinet lighting?
For best results, use undercabinet LEDs that put out a minimum 400 lumens per foot; 500 lumens is even better, but harder to find.
What color lighting is best for kitchen?
Warm white (3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin) is more yellowish-white. These bulbs are best suited for kitchens and bathrooms. Bright white (4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin) is between white and blue tones.
Do LED under cabinet lights get hot?
There are a lot of benefits to moving to LED lights in general. Specifically, I’ll address under cabinet LED. The light is bright and true, so you can see better while working in the kitchen. They are cool to the touch, won’t scorch cabinets, and won’t heat what is inside your cabinet.
How long should under cabinet lights be?
In general, one puck light is needed for every 8–12 in. of cabinet length. This spacing will provide the best uniformity and distribution of light and avoid any dark areas under the cabinets.
Do under cabinet lights go in front or back?
When mounting any fixture under a cabinet, position it to the front. If there is a lens, face it toward the backsplash. The bottom-front rail of the cabinet should hide the fixture from your line of sight, whether you’re standing or seated. A plug-in fixture may be used for short runs of under-cabinet lighting.
How long do under cabinet LED lights last?
An excellent rated life for an LED under cabinet light is around 50,000 hours. Operated for 3 hours per day, that light could last over 45 years. Fluorescent lights usually last longer than xenon lights, but not as long as LEDs.
How can I hide the lights under my kitchen cabinets?
Another option is called the recessed floor option. This is done by raising the floor or bottom of the cabinet upwards, so the cabinet door hangs past the bottom floor of the cabinet. This remaining area or void is perfect to conceal puck or LED strip under cabinet lighting when the cabinet door is closed.
How do you hide the wires under cabinet lighting?
One of the simplest solutions to unsightly under-cabinet wires is using a cable protector. You can secure the wiring into one bundle with tie wraps and adhere it to the cabinet’s underside with staples. The wiring length itself should extend directly from the light to the wall.
What color should under cabinet lighting be?
When choosing a color temperature for under cabinet lighting, you’ll want to stay within the 3000K to 5000K range. 3000K is on the soft white spectrum and 5000K would lean more towards cool white.
How many lumens do I need in a kitchen?
Kitchen: 3,000 to 4,000 lumens. Dining room: 3,000 to 4,000 lumens. Living room: 1,000 to 2,000 lumens. Bedroom: 1,000 to 2,000 lumens.
Is soft white or daylight better for kitchen?
Using a soft white light is ideal for most traditional or transitional kitchens. A warmer light is less harsh than a daylight light fixture. It highlights wood grains and looks great on earthy tones. However, if you have a more contemporary kitchen, look for a “cool white” light in the range of 4000K-5000K.
Should kitchen lights be warm or cool?
Cooler bulbs are easier to see by, so that’s what you want to rely on in the kitchen—whereas warmer bulbs give off that cozy, casual vibe that makes lounges and restaurants so inviting.
Are LED lights good for kitchen?
LED lighting also produces a higher quality of light that reduces heat and reveals color better, which is important for task lighting in the kitchen. And, LED kitchen lighting lasts longer and is more durable than traditional lighting, meaning you won’t have to worry about frequent maintenance to change bulbs.
Do under cabinet lights use a lot of electricity?
If you install 4 or 6 or 8 of them under your cabinets, you have to turn each one on in turn. They’re battery powered, so you’ll have to change batteries on occasion. Fortunately LEDs don’t use much electricity so batteries should last a fair while.
How do you hardwire LED under cabinets?
Then, follow these steps for installation: Disconnect the power. Locate the correct breaker and turn off the power supply to the switch outlet where you’re going to connect the lights. Attach the lights. Cut the wall. Run the wire. Run the cord. Connect the lights. Wire the switch. Cover your work.
