Revitalize your client’s kitchen with the perfect under-cabinet lighting, an essential element in any renovation project. Choosing the proper lighting enhances functionality and elevates the aesthetic appeal of any space. With various options available, selecting the best solution requires careful consideration of factors like brightness level, cabinet material, energy efficiency, countertop material, and lighting purpose.
Here is what you should know to make an informed decision matching functionality with elegance in any client’s kitchen space.
What are the Different Types of Cabinet Lighting?
Here’s an overview of the four popular types of under-cabinet lighting:
- Puck lighting consists of small, round fixtures resembling hockey pucks. This light shape is excellent for spotlighting specific areas and creating focused pools of light. They are ideal for highlighting countertops or decorative features and can be surface-mounted or recessed.
- Linear lighting comes as light bars or strips and provides even illumination across a wider area. They work well for tasks that require consistent lighting, such as cooking or food preparation, and are typically installed along the length of cabinets.
- Flexible strip lighting is molded to fit different spaces, making them suitable for linear or curved installations. They often come with adhesive backing for easy installation and provide continuous, subtle lighting.
- Panel lighting is a flat, panel-like fixture offering a sleek, modern look. Panel lights provide consistent, broad illumination and are an excellent choice for contemporary kitchens. They are less obtrusive and achieve a streamlined appearance.
Each type offers unique benefits, so choosing the right one depends on your client’s design preferences and functional needs.
Determine the Purpose of the Lighting
To decide on the purpose of under-cabinet lighting, consider the following factors:
- Brightness level: Task lighting requires higher lumen output (500-1,000 lumens/ft), while ambient lighting uses lower levels (80-200 lumens/ft).
- Color temperature: Task lighting often uses cooler tones (around 5000K) for better visibility, while ambient lighting typically uses warmer tones (around 3000K) for a cozy atmosphere.
- Fixture type: Puck lights and LED light bars are better suited for task lighting, providing focused illumination. Strip lights, however, are ideal for ambient lighting, offering a more diffuse glow.
- Placement: Task lighting should be positioned directly above work areas, while ambient lighting can be more evenly distributed or used to highlight specific features.
- Kitchen layout: Consider the placement of workstations and the overall kitchen design to determine where task lighting is most needed.
- Beam spread: Puck lights with tight beam spreads under wall cabinets often create unsightly dark spots on the backsplash between lights. Beam spreads of 90 degrees or greater will reduce the spots. For spotlight applications, such as in-cabinet or display lighting, a beam spread of 20-40 degrees is ideal.
By assessing these factors, you can determine whether the under-cabinet lighting should primarily serve as task lighting, ambient lighting, or a combination of both to meet the space’s specific needs.
What are the Aesthetic Features You Want in Cabinet Lighting?
Under cabinet lighting is significant in a kitchen’s overall design and aesthetic. Here’s how you can utilize it to complement your kitchen’s look:
- Color Temperature: The warmth or coolness of the lighting can affect the ambiance. Warm lighting (around 2700K to 3000K) creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere, while cool lighting (3500K to 5000K) offers a bright, modern feel. It’s essential to match the under cabinet lighting’s color temperature with existing lights in the room to maintain a cohesive look.
- Fixture Style: The style and finish of the lighting fixtures should reflect your kitchen’s design theme. Sleek, minimalistic fixtures suit modern kitchens, while ornate or traditional ones may complement classic or rustic styles. Consider finishes like brushed nickel, bronze, or chrome based on existing hardware.
- Dimming Options: Incorporating dimmable fixtures allows you to adjust the brightness according to the mood or task, adding versatility to your lighting design.
- Light Distribution: Consider whether you want focused lighting for tasks or a more even ambient glow. This choice will influence whether you opt for puck, linear, or panel lighting.
By thoughtfully integrating these elements, you can enhance both functionality and style to create a kitchen environment that is both beautiful and practical.
Consider Energy Efficiency When Choosing Lighting
Energy efficiency is paramount when selecting under-cabinet lighting. Energy-efficient options like LED lighting significantly lower electricity bills by reducing power consumption. These lights boast longer lifespans than traditional bulbs, minimizing maintenance and replacement frequency. This longevity saves money and reduces waste, aligning with sustainable practices.
Furthermore, energy-efficient lighting generates less heat, which is beneficial in maintaining a comfortable kitchen environment, especially crucial during cooking. Moreover, decreasing energy usage contributes positively to environmental conservation by reducing carbon emissions and reliance on fossil fuels.
Opting for energy-efficient lighting boosts the sustainability of your kitchen but also enhances its functionality and economic appeal.
Choose Lighting that is Easy to Install
With Tresco Lighting, you can say goodbye to the chaos of tangled wires and mismatched power supplies. Tresco’s LED lights are engineered with one goal in mind—simplicity. Unlike other systems that demand a new power supply for each light (a contractor’s worst nightmare), Tresco’s 12VDC power supply is the only one you’ll need. Less hassle, more efficiency. It’s lighting reimagined for the pros who demand better.
At Dakota Premium Hardwoods, we go beyond being a hardwood dealer. In addition to our high-quality hardwood lumber, plywood, tools, and supplies, we offer a full line of Tresco Lighting solutions. If one of our locations is near you, pick up your lighting supplies from our warehouse. We also offer next-day delivery to shops within our service area, or you can pick up what you need same day – no need to schedule an appointment.
Contact us today or call one of our locations to find out if we can provide the materials you need for your next project!
