Cabinet Lighting Ideas to Transform Your Kitchen

Lighting is an instrumental part of the design of your kitchen. Yes, you heard that correctly. Lighting and design go hand in hand. Few kitchens have lots of natural light streaming through its windows. When it happens, it’s usually on really sunny days. And while we’re fortunate here in Texas to have an abundance of sun, we also have many days that are just downright cloudy from morning to nighttime. So, when natural light doesn’t decide to come out and play, you need a lighting solution to transform your kitchen. We’ve got you covered with these cabinet lighting ideas.

Lighting Must-Haves for Your Kitchen

Decent layered lighting in your kitchen is a must! This should consist of stylish pendant fixtures, ambient overhead lights, over-the-sink lighting, spotlights, and undercabinet lighting. If you want to do more to transform your kitchen, you can always add a few finishing touches, like adding new crown molding or fairy lights.

But under-cabinet lighting is all the rage these days. Your kitchen’s under-cabinet lighting should be cast right under wall cabinets towards the countertops to help you accomplish all your prepping tasks.

Under-cabinet Lighting Adds Beauty and Functionality

The great thing about under-cabinet lighting is that you can just tuck a few well-positioned fixtures here and there. Even if your kitchen is small, there’s a place for it. It offers areas of focus, but it doesn’t take over the entire space and affect your kitchen’s ambient light.

There are many different shades and light temperatures available to match your preferences and your kitchen’s own unique style.

You should place under-cabinet light wherever you tend to prep food most often. Undercabinet lights pull double duty in the kitchen, as task lighting and an aesthetic tool. They’re effective in helping you accomplish tasks but are sufficient to showcase some of your favorite items in the kitchen, like the heirloom crystal bowl you have sitting on the countertop.

Light Bars

If you’re in a hurry to get under-cabinet lights in your kitchen, light bars will do the trick. They’re usually lightweight, and all you do is attach the fixture to the underside of the cabinet by screwing it in. Just plug light bars in an outlet for charging. Many light bars also have motion sensors built in so that the lights come on when it detects movement.

Light bars can be installed nearly anywhere, and if you change your mind about where you want to place them, they’re easy to move. There are no tools, no wires, no mess, and no fuss. You just have to recharge the batteries every 20 hours or so of use. You can keep them plugged in, but that’s not usually optimal. Some chargeable light bars may not be bright enough.

If you install rechargeable light bars and decide you like everything but their downside, you can always have an electrician permanently wire your kitchen for light bars. Many homeowners find it an inconvenience to have to charge the lights when they’re not hardwired.

LED Puck Lights

LED puck lights operate much like light bars and are easy to install and move around. The puck lights are smaller, and similar to, you guessed it, hockey pucks. They also have some designed to operate with motion sensors, or you can just tap the pucks to make them come on.

Strip Lights

If you want bright under-cabinet lights, a fluorescent or track light with halogen bulbs might be the answer. Strip lighting mounts on the surface, is easy to install and has no wires. You can choose from the wattage you want. The downside to strip lights is that they tend to be hotter, which isn’t always optimal in the kitchen.

Hard-Wired Lights

Hard-wired light fixtures have the most professional look and are more permanent than the other ideas. You might want to consider having an electrician come into your home to evaluate your kitchen. In that way, they can come up with the best lighting plan for your home.

Many homeowners today choose custom strip lighting and under-cabinet track lights for their kitchens. LED lights, no matter what type of lighting you choose, is optimal in your kitchen as well as throughout your home.

Many homeowners choose to add decorative molding, along with their under-cabinet lights. Not only is it attractive, but it’ll conceal your undercabinet-fixtures and provide a polished look to your cabinets while also preventing glare.

The Takeaway

Different layers of light tie your kitchen together. But, undercabinet lights are great for the aesthetics of your kitchen while also providing task lighting for functionality.

There are more portable options, like puck lights and light bars. But the best solution is to have a licensed electrician hard-wire your under-cabinet lights.

Contact Illuminations Lighting Design to have one of our experienced electricians come up with a few lighting ideas to transform your kitchen. We serve Houston and all of the surrounding areas and would love to meet with you!