Under cabinet lighting has become a modern and convenient way for Houston homeowners to light the home, particularly in the kitchen. While installation is a little more complex than
screwing in a light bulb, under cabinet lighting proves to have many advantages.
The Perks of Under Cabinet Lighting
True to its name, under cabinet lighting involves lights that are placed under the cabinet. The result is efficient illumination of the area below the cabinets. When you think of all the functions
performed in the kitchen, this is where under cabinet lighting excels.
The perks of under cabinet lighting can’t be understated. In a remodel, cabinets are already conveniently there waiting for lights to easily be installed. So, it’s a cost-effective solution to
implement.
In building a new home, under cabinet lighting is one solution you don’t want to overlook. Light is quite effective when placed under the cabinets as the light goes exactly where it needs to go.
If you’re in the kitchen preparing the evening’s meal, light is conveniently directed on the countertop where you’re working.
Ceiling or overhead light, on the other hand, sends light everywhere and light is wasted in some places and inefficient in others.
But, the allure of under cabinet light is that it’s a much more attractive way to light your living space. It takes the ambiance of your kitchen to the next level and dramatically improves
brightness in the room.
If you ever go to sell your home, under cabinet lighting is more attractive to buyers. This can help increase your home’s resale value.
Under Cabinet Lights – Puck Vs Bar Lights
Puck lights tend to be more popular with homeowners who choose under cabinet lighting. The small lights resemble a hockey puck and produce a dramatic effect of triangular beams that are
reminiscent of spotlights. Some homeowners love the look and others prefer something more traditional.
Another thing to keep in mind regarding puck lights is that you’ll want to pay particular attention to spacing the fixtures so that light will be directed exactly where you need it.
Bar lights distribute light more evenly than puck lights. Installation is a little more straightforward than puck lighting, but when you use a professional lighting contractor to get the job done, it’s a
moot point. An experienced lighting expert can do both with proficiency and skill.
While both solutions come in options of LED or other choices, such as fluorescent, most homeowners want to avoid fluorescent in the kitchen due to mercury content. These days, LED
lights are all the rage and a better way to go.
LED lights last longer, up to 20 years and the output won’t diminish until tens of thousands of hours after using them. LED lighting delivers more light but costs less. Plus, you choose
whatever color you want, whether it’s a cool blue or a bright green. The sky’s the limit.
Of significant note is that in our age of environmental awareness, LED lights don’t have harmful chemicals like mercury. This is an important consideration in the kitchen where food is prepped
and consumed.
Color Considerations of Under Cabinet Lighting
The color temperature of a bulb is depicted by the number of the bulb. For instance, 2700K yields a similar color to incandescent light bulbs.
3000K is still yellow but has more blue and resembles the color of halogen bulbs and casts a warm glow. 4000K is more of a neutral color, while 6500K is more ambient and will simulate the
natural daylight provided by the sun.
It all comes down to your preference and what you’ll feel most at home with. But, color temperatures between 3000K and 4000K are more helpful in the kitchen.
The reason is that anything below 3000K will give the perception that there’s more yellow or even orange in the kitchen. When you’re prepping food, this can throw things off. 4000K helps
you to see things more as they are.
You also want to ensure that your under cabinet lighting complements the rest of the lighting in the kitchen.
A lighting design professional can offer valuable insight in these areas and help you achieve the lighting effect you want in your kitchen and throughout your home.
The Takeaway
The moment you decide to install under cabinet lighting in your home, you’ll know you’ve made
the right decision. It’ll enhance the ambiance and the aesthetics of your kitchen while offering a significant amount of functionality.
LED lights offer many options in terms of color and are energy-efficient and cost-effective. Our lighting designers can help you choose the right under cabinet lighting solution for your home.
Our Houston residential lighting experts can help provide the advice and expertise you’re looking for, while carefully implementing a lighting plan that will work for you.
At Illuminations Lighting Design , we’re here for you and our service area extends well beyond the Houston Metropolitan area. If you’re a homeowner anywhere in Southeast Texas, call us at
713-863-1133 or 1-800-863-1184 to set up a lighting design consultation