Cabinet lights can elevate the aesthetics of your space and increase its functionality. It’s the ultimate secret weapon if you want to have a stunning room and guarantee its efficiency! But do you know everything about this remarkable lighting solution?
Well, if you want to know the different types of cabinet lights and learn various installation and maintenance tips, here’s a guide you can’t pass up! What are under cabinet lights, and how much can your space evolve if you have them?
The Significance of Cabinet Lighting
When you have cabinetry in the room, what do you notice? You’ll always see shadows, right? That’s because wall-mounted cabinets and the cabinets beneath your counters are blocking the path where your overhead lights are supposed to target. While there’s no actual harm done since you can still technically use the space, when you step back and look at the entirety, you’ll see that these shadows make the room appear smaller and cluttered.
One way of preventing this from happening is by reinforcing your overhead lighting with cabinet lights! This lighting solution can improve the visibility, organisation, and overall ambience of your room. If mounted strategically, cabinet lights can accentuate unique design elements and highlight the contents of the cabinetry!
Types of Cabinet Lighting Fixtures
When shopping for cabinet lights, you’ll discover that there’s no standard model. Cabinet lighting has different types, and depending on the use or effect you want, the kind of cabinet lighting will vary.
Puck lights resemble hockey pucks and are famous for their versatility and affordability. Some have an adhesive backing, while you can mount others with screws. As for powering puck lights, you’ll find battery-operated, low-voltage and mains-powered models. Puck lights are perfect for renters since it’s easy to install and remove!
LED strip lights are another type of cabinet lighting, but unlike puck lights, it’s a continuous ribbon-like circuit board with LED chips on one side and an adhesive backing on the other. It does not have an outer frame, so if you prefer not to have visible fixtures, this is perfect for you! In addition, because strip lights are relatively thin, it’s ideal for narrow areas!
If you want something that looks more custom-made and built-in, you should get recessed cabinet lights. These fixtures are mounted flush against your intended surface, so unless you own the place, this is not an option that you should go for. In addition, recessed cabinet lights require more technical skills to mount. If you don’t have prior experience, you should not DIY its installation. Nevertheless, when installed by professionals, this cabinet light will add sophistication and elegance to the room!
Choosing the Right Cabinet Light for Your Space
Puck lights, strip lights or recessed cabinet lights? Which is the best one for your space?
Puck Lights for Focused Illumination
Puck lights can offer direct, focused illumination, ideal for task lighting. It’s perfect for task-heavy areas like the kitchen counter and other workspaces. To maximise the effect of your puck lights, position them towards the front and leave eight to twelve inches between each puck. That way, you’ll have sufficient uniform brightness that will help you get your work done!
Linear Strip Lights for Continuous Illumination
If you would rather have even and consistent illumination along the length of your cabinets, it’s best to use LED strip lights. You can stick it behind the frame of your upper and lower cabinets to create a floating effect. Aside from that, if you have glass-fronted display cabinets, you can stick LED strips under each self to showcase the contents better!
Recessed Lights: Sleek and Space-Saving
Recessed lights are perfect if you own the space since you must trim the cabinets to mount the fixture. However, are all these troubles worth it? Well, recessed lights are stunning when installed. They can effortlessly elevate the space by just being there. Once the lights are switched on, it can boost the space’s visuals five steps more than when it’s turned off!
If you need a space-saving solution to make your work area more functional and efficient, recessed lights can make that happen. Yes, it requires more time and effort than peel-and-stick options, but all the trouble is worth it because of the results you’ll get. To ensure that your recessed lights can properly work their magic, it’s better to call a professional to mount them. That way, everything is wired correctly, and you and your home are risk-free!
Colour Temperature for Setting the Right Ambiance
What sets the mood of your space? Is it the colours of the walls, the texture of the textiles or the style of the furniture? While those elements do contribute, it’s the colour of your lights that heavily impacts the atmosphere of the space. So, which colour should you have for your cabinet lights?
Cool white or natural white light are perfect for the cabinet lights in work areas like the kitchen countertop. It’ll enable you to stay focused and efficiently and safely finish your meal preps and cooking. As for the display cabinets in your living room or the picture ledge in your bedroom, warm white light is better as it can make the space even cosier and more relaxing!
Installation Tips and Considerations
Cabinet lights have different levels of difficulty when it comes to installation. Some puck lights are battery-operated and have an adhesive backing, so you just have to stick them, and they’re ready to go. As for strip lights, although they also have an adhesive backing, you’ll have to wire them to an LED driver because they’re low voltage. Then, you can either hardwire the LED driver or add a plug at the end and plug it into an available socket. Hardwiring is more complicated, so if you’re looking for a more DIY-friendly alternative, you can add a plug.
When mounting your cabinet lights, it’s essential to clean the surface properly. Some adhesives may not stick to bumpy and textured materials, so prepare other mounting alternatives, like adding screws or using an LED profile if you’re using strip lights.
Above all, when it comes to installation, always remember to prioritise safety. Switch off the main power supply before wiring anything, and if you’re unsure about something, call for an electrician immediately.
Maintenance and Care for Cabinet Lights
Cabinet lights are relatively low maintenance. Once you mount it, you don’t need to check on them daily. Nevertheless, you still need to maintain them properly to ensure they will continue to bring brightness to your space for a long time! So, what should you do?
The best way to remove anything that may block the light from being delivered to your space is by removing all the dust and dirt build-up. Wipe your fixtures with a clean, soft, damped cloth and don’t use harsh chemicals. Also, if your lights have removable bulbs, the moment it goes out, replace them promptly.
During your occasional cleanup, check the wirings of your cabinet lights and guarantee that nothing is loose and everything is in place. If you notice something amiss, attend to it immediately.
Conclusion: Elevate Your Space with Thoughtful Cabinet Lighting
Cabinet lighting will elevate your space’s visual appeal and boost its functionality. To effectively incorporate them into the different rooms in your home, you should select the appropriate type for the purpose you intend and be careful when choosing the colour temperature.
If you don’t know where to get top-quality cabinet lights, visit our website, Simple Lighting! Besides cabinet lighting fixtures, we have other indoor, outdoor, and commercial lighting solutions!
