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Choose the Best Under Cabinet Lighting to Brighten Your Kitchen

Is your kitchen lacking that warm, inviting glow? Drab, dark cabinets can make food prep feel more like a chore. But the right under cabinet lighting can completely transform the look and feel of your kitchen.

Types of Under Cabinet Lights

Under cabinet lights come in a variety of styles to suit different needs. The three main types are puck lights, LED strip lights, and rope lights.

Puck Lights

Puck lights are small, round LED lights that provide focused task lighting. The concentrated beam illuminates just the surface below, making puck lights ideal for highlighting a specific workspace or food prep area.

Puck lights work well under upper cabinets where you'll be chopping veggies or reading recipes. Place them over sinks, islands, or other frequented work zones. Puck lights range from 3" to 6" in diameter and feature a low profile design.

under the cabinet lighting for kitchen

Some top puck light picks are the Brilliant Evolution LED Puck Lights and Commercial Electric 3-in White Integrated LED Disk Light.

LED Strip Lights

LED strip lights consist of flexible strips that provide diffuse, ambient lighting. The LEDs are spread along the strip to cast a soft glow over a general area rather than a focused beam.

LED strips are perfect for illuminating the full length of cabinets for a seamless look. They work well over kitchen islands, peninsulas, desks, and other long stretches. Use LED strip lights to highlight architectural features too.

Some quality LED strip lights to consider are the WAC Lighting LED Tape Light and Commercial Electric White Integrated LED Cabinet Strip Light.

Rope Lights

Rope lights feature flexible, bendable LED strips that can snake along any shape or contour. The versatility of rope lights allows mounting them in curved layouts to add a unique flair.

Use rope lights to accent indirect spaces like the underside of elevated cabinets or a breakfast nook. Rope lights also work over corners or to illuminate display shelving and glass cabinets. Check out options like the Brilliant Evolution LED Rope Light.

Lighting Features

Under cabinet lights come with a variety of features to look for based on your goals and setup.

Hardwired vs Plug-In

Hardwired under cabinet lights are permanently installed and wired directly to a junction box and switch. This provides a seamless, integrated look without any visible cords.

Plug-in under cabinet lights simply plug into a standard wall outlet. This allows flexibility to reposition lights or use them temporarily. But visible cords can take away from the clean appearance.

Hardwired lights are ideal for a permanent built-in fixture. But plug-in lights offer versatility for renters or temporary uses.

Dimming Capabilities

Many LED puck, strip and rope lights are dimmable, allowing you to adjust the brightness as needed. Using dimmer switches or controls provides versatility.

Dimming capabilities are useful for setting the right ambiance for different tasks and occasions. You can highlight key areas brighter and dim other zones.

Choose lights that are compatible with standard dimmers, like the Lutron Diva LED Dimmer Switch. Potentiometer dimmer controls built into some LED drivers also offer adjustable brightness.

Energy Efficiency

LED under cabinet lighting consumes far less energy compared to other options like halogen or xenon bulbs. LEDs use at least 75% less power.

The long lifespans of LEDs also minimize maintenance. LEDs can last up to 50,000 hours compared to just 2,000 hours for halogen bulbs.

For green kitchens concerned about conservation, LEDs are the clear winner for energy efficiency and sustainability.

Installation Tips

Proper installation ensures your under cabinet lights provide optimal coverage.

Be sure to address any electrical challenges like access to wiring or outlets early on. Installation is fairly straightforward but it helps to be prepared.

Transform Your Kitchen with Under Cabinet Lighting

The right under cabinet lighting can make all the difference in your kitchen. Proper lighting serves both form and function.

Task lighting ensures safe, easy meal prep while soft ambient lighting makes the space more inviting. The glow of under cabinet lights can give your kitchen a warm, welcoming facelift.

Evaluating your lighting needs, kitchen layout and style will guide you in selecting the perfect fixtures. A combination of puck, strip and rope lights can illuminate every zone just right.

By taking the time to choose the best under cabinet lighting solution, you can bask in a brilliantly lit kitchen designed just for you.

Under cabinet lighting offers an easy upgrade that makes a big visual impact. The many LED options available let you tailor the lighting to your exact needs and tastes.

Just think how much more you'll enjoy meal prep and entertaining as you work and mingle in a kitchen filled with beautiful, functional light. So go ahead and give your kitchen the illumination it deserves with smart under cabinet lighting.