Under-cabinet lighting is essential for enhancing your workspace with optimal illumination, whether in the kitchen, office or over a craft table. The recent advancements in the types of under-cabinet lighting have led to an array of new and improved options. Don’t let the variety of choices overwhelm you. To help you enhance the lighting in your office or kitchen, we have created an outline of various under-cabinet lighting ideas and ways to choose a fixture.
Types of Kitchen Under-Cabinet Lighting: Advantages and Disadvantages
When it comes to the types of under-cabinet lighting, several options are available, each with unique advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the different options like LED, fluorescent, and puck lights will help you make an informed decision that suits your needs.
Consider factors such as energy efficiency, lifespan, installation process, and overall aesthetics to determine the ideal kitchen cabinet lighting for your home. This will enhance your cooking space with the perfect balance of functionality and style.
1. Xenon Fixtures
Although an older technology in under-cabinet lighting, xenon fixtures remain popular due to their exceptional color rendering index (CRI), which produces a clean, white light that accentuates the beauty of marble and granite countertops. They are an awesome under-cabinet lighting option.
The advantages of installing xenon fixtures include 3-way switch functionality, hard-wired or plug-in options, and near-perfect CRI. On the other hand, xenon fixtures consume significant energy and emit high heat, making them more suitable for task lighting rather than continuous use.
2. Puck Lights
Puck lights, named for their hockey puck shape, are popular for under-cabinet lighting due to their versatility and affordability. Depending on your requirements and preferences, these lights can utilize xenon, halogen, or LED bulbs. If color purity is crucial, xenon and halogen bulbs offer a near-perfect CRI.
However, if longevity and low heat emission are more critical, opt for LED bulbs. Puck lights are available in battery-powered models that easily attach to the underside of cabinets. While they offer focused light, dimming capabilities, durability, and easy installation (for LED models), they emit circles of light instead of even illumination.
3. Fluorescent Fixtures
Fluorescent fixtures, a classic type of under-cabinet lighting, continue to be a favored choice for many homeowners. Modern fluorescent fixtures typically use smaller T5 bulbs than older, larger T12 bulbs. While their color rendering index (CRI) is not as high as xenon or halogen fixtures, they emit significantly less heat, making them a practical middle-of-the-road option for various applications.
Fluorescent lighting offers benefits such as connectable fixtures for more even lighting, cooler operation compared to xenon and halogen, hard-wired or plug-in options, and brighter illumination. However, their color rendering may need to be improved for some preferences or applications.
Read More: What Are the Advantages of Task Lighting?
4. LED Lights
If you are looking for new under-cabinet lighting ideas, we recommend investing in LED fixtures or LED light bars. They represent the newest and most energy-efficient option in under-cabinet lighting. These versatile countertop lights are available in various color temperatures and brightness levels, with more expansive LED fixtures than light bars.
The advantages of LED lights include 3-way switch functionality, connectable fixtures for more even lighting, cooler operation compared to xenon and halogen, brighter illumination, hard-wired or plug-in options, sturdy design, dimmability, and a long lifespan.
At the same time, their color rendering may need to be revised for some preferences or applications, some fixtures might require a separate power supply, and they have a higher initial cost than other options.
5. LED Strip Lights
LED strip lights offer a sleek and even lighting solution for those who prefer not to have visible fixtures under their cabinets. These lights are ideal for accent lighting or in rooms with strong overhead lighting, as they are less bright than under cabinet fixtures.
The benefits of LED strip lights include seamless end-to-end mounting for even illumination without dark spots, near-invisibility when installed, waterproof options, easy peel-and-stick installation, affordability, and a long lifespan. However, they might necessitate the use of a track and lens, which can add extra expense.
Benefits of Under Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting is an effective solution for enhancing kitchen visibility and eliminating the frustration of dimly lit workspaces. Often overlooked by home builders, this type of lighting adds value to your home, creates a unique ambiance, and improves safety in kitchens needing more brightness from ceiling lights alone.
By exploring various under-cabinet lighting ideas and seeking professional help, you can quickly transform a dark kitchen into a well-illuminated, functional, and inviting space.
Kitchen Visibility
Under-cabinet lighting significantly enhances kitchen visibility, providing a well-lit countertop area without flooding the entire room with light. It balances visibility and ambiance, making your kitchen a more enjoyable and functional space.
Additionally, under-cabinet lighting eliminates the annoying shadows caused by overhead lights, as it shines directly from the bottom of your cabinets, ensuring optimal illumination for cooking and other tasks.
Saves Space
Under-cabinet lighting is an excellent space-saving solution for brightening your kitchen, especially in smaller spaces where adding lamps or overhead pendant lights may be challenging.
By providing targeted illumination without requiring additional space, under-cabinet lighting ensures a clutter-free and well-lit kitchen environment, making it an ideal choice for compact kitchens or those seeking a streamlined aesthetic.
Read More: What Size Generator Do I Need for My Home?
Fast and Easy Installation
Under-cabinet lighting offers various installation options, including light fixtures connected to a switch, LED strips, or small, individually placed LED bulbs. These options provide a quick and easy alternative to installing new overhead or pendant lights. Contact a professional to help you determine the best under-cabinet lighting for your space.
Home Value
Under-cabinet lighting can instantly add value to your home by creating dimensionality in your kitchen space and softening harsh lines caused by overhead or fluorescent lights.
This affordable option appeals to a wide range of homeowners, including those on a budget, and enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of your kitchen, making it an attractive feature for potential buyers or simply improving your everyday experience.
Lighting Installation and Repair Services
Our team of local electricians in Roswell, GA have the skills required to install a variety of types of under-cabinet lighting fixtures in your kitchen. We offer exceptional lighting installation or replacement services and are committed to working with you to improve the lighting in your house.
Our licensed technicians work closely with homeowners to determine the appropriate voltage levels, fixture styles, and energy-efficient options that best suit their needs and preferences, ensuring a seamless and visually appealing lighting experience for every home.
We also offer a variety of other electrical services including whole-house generator installation, electrical panel replacement, ceiling fan replacement, and electrical wiring maintenance. Give our team of skilled electricians a call by phone at (770) 852-8504 to receive assistance choosing new light fixtures for your home.