The best kind of under cabinet lighting depends on your needs and preferences. Generally, LED lighting is preferred, as it is energy-efficient, long-lasting and has a wide selection of lighting temperatures and intensities.
Furthermore, there are many options for under cabinet lighting to suit any style. For example, there are linear strips, puck lights, xenon lamps and even colour-changeable LEDs which can emit a variety of light temperatures.
Additionally, some under cabinet lighting can be wired directly into the power supply and remain on all the time, while others come with sensors that turn on the lights when needed. Ultimately, the best kind of under cabinet lighting will depend on your exact needs and preferences, so it is worth doing your research to ensure you get the perfect lighting for your home.
What do you call the lights under the cupboards?
The lights under the cupboards are typically referred to as under-cabinet lighting. This type of lighting is a popular choice for kitchens, laundry rooms, and other areas of the home because it serves both a functional and decorative purpose.
Not only does it provide additional light in the room, but it can also create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Under-cabinet lighting is available in a variety of options, from LED strips to puck lights to fluorescent fixtures.
They can be hardwire-installed, or come as plug-in units, and can also include dimmer switches for added versatility. With under-cabinet lighting, you can easily light up your counters and add a touch of extra ambiance to any room.
How do you light under kitchen cabinets?
Under kitchen cabinets can be lit in a variety of ways, depending on the desired purpose and look. If you’re looking for practical and functional lighting, then the most common option is to install LED strips along the underside of the cabinet.
These strips are available in a variety of lengths and colors, and will provide ample ambient light for your kitchen. You can adjust the intensity to suit your needs. For a more decorative approach, consider installation of recessed lights into the bottom side of the cabinets, which will provide more targeted light with more dramatic results.
Alternatively, you can opt for puck lights, which are small and versatile lights that can be installed and removed quickly and easily. Whichever option you choose, it’s important to pair it with a dimmer switch to give you full control over the amount and intensity of light you want in your kitchen.
How long do LED Under cabinet lights last?
LED under cabinet lights can last an incredibly long time, up to 50,000 hours, which is something like 10 years if they are on for an average of 8 hours a day. Many LED lights come with a 5-10 year warranty, so you can feel confident that the LED lights will last for the duration of their warranty.
Additionally, LED lights don’t contain filaments like traditional lights, so they don’t wear out in the same way. This means that your lights should serve you faithfully for a decade, before needing to be replaced – although the driver or wiring may fail sooner.
Are LED strips good for under kitchen cabinets?
Yes, LED strips are a great lighting solution for under kitchen cabinets. They are flexible and can be easily installed in tight spaces, and they provide an effective, low power way to light up your kitchen cabinets.
LED strips also come in a variety of colors, allowing you to customize your lighting to reflect your personal style. They are also longer-lasting and significantly more energy efficient than traditional lighting fixtures, which saves you money in the long run.
Furthermore, the installation of LED strips is usually simple and can often be done by the homeowner themselves. With their versatile design, low power consumption, and cost-saving benefits, LED strips are an optimal choice for lighting your kitchen cabinets.
Should under cabinet lighting be warm or cool?
When choosing between warm or cool under cabinet lighting, it will depend on your desired aesthetic and the type of tasks you will be performing in the space. Warm lighting creates a cozy atmosphere and can be more inviting, making it great for entertaining and social areas.
Cool lighting is perfect for task lighting since it is brighter and more focused, making it ideal for working in the kitchen. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what lighting best suits your needs and preferences.
Are under cabinet lights worth it?
Under cabinet lights are certainly worth it. Not only are they beautiful, they provide essential ambient lighting in any kitchen, making it easier to work on surfaces and in small spaces. In addition, they help conserve energy by limiting the need to turn on overhead lights and they can also highlight specific areas and make your kitchen look modern and inviting.
They are also extremely versatile, allowing you to choose from a wide array of styles, colors, and sizes to find the perfect look for your space. Furthermore, many under cabinet lights come with built-in dimmer switches so you can control how much light is emitted and how bright the room should be.
So overall, under cabinet lights can provide both functional and aesthetic benefits and can make all the difference in how your kitchen looks and feels.
How many lumens do you need for under cabinet lighting?
It depends on the type of under cabinet lighting you are looking for and the planned usage of the task lighting. Generally speaking, though, a minimum of 75-100 lumens per square foot should provide adequate light for food preparation, dinner parties, or any task that requires illumination.
For added visibility and brightness, you might want to go with a range of 250 to 500 lumens per square foot. If the space is brighter, you could lower the lumens per square foot to about 150. Ultimately, you want to choose under cabinet lighting that is bright enough for you to be able to see and work in the space comfortably.
Where should under cabinet LED lights be placed?
Under cabinet LED lights should be placed approximately 7-8 inches (17-20 cm) away from the front edge of the cabinet. Positioning the lights 8 inches away from the front edge of the cabinets allows for optimal illumination of the kitchen work area.
When planning the distance, try to allow for adequate room for food prep and storage. Additionally, think about how much of the workspace will be illuminated, if the light will be too far inside the cabinet the countertop may not receive enough direct light.
Make sure the lights are positioned so that the beams are perpendicular to the countertop to ensure even lighting. To enhance the safety and reduce glare, it is best to position the lights so that the head of the lights and any light fixtures face away from the space.
Lastly, consider the type of work space you have and whether you need bright lighting or a softer glow to set the ambience.
What type of lighting is for under cabinet?
Under cabinet lighting is typically a type of low-voltage, LED lighting that is installed beneath overhead cabinets to provide additional lighting in the kitchen or other work surfaces. They help illuminate countertops and cabinets and can also create a more inviting atmosphere in any area.
Their low-profile design and easy installation make them an ideal choice for homeowners looking to increase both utility and atmosphere in their kitchen. Some common types of under cabinet lighting include puck lights, strip lights, and linear lights.
Puck lights are small circular lamps that can provide ideal task lighting for counters and cabinets. Strip lights are linear lights that are often used for even lighting and ambient illumination. Linear lights are long lights that run the length of a cabinet and provide focused task lighting.
While under cabinet lighting used to be time-consuming and tricky to install, LED lighting has made it much easier for people to install themselves. LED lights are more energy efficient than traditional bulbs and provide brighter light that is more focused.
How bright should LED strips be?
The brightness of LED strips will depend on the model and type of LED strip that you purchase. Generally, LED strips range in brightness from a soft light suitable for mood lighting, up to a very bright light suitable for area illumination.
When selecting LED strips for your particular application, it’s important to assess the intensity of light required as well as the number of lighting strips needed to achieve the desired brightness. If you are planning to use LED strips for mood lighting, something in the range of 200-400 lumens per foot is suitable.
However, if you are installing the LED strips for the primary purpose of lighting up an area, a much brighter option in the range of 1,800-4,000 lumens per foot may be more accurate. To further customize the brightness, you have the option to choose between dimmable and non-dimmable designs, with dimmable LEDs providing the greatest capacity for controlling the brightness.
Can you leave LED strip lights on all night?
Yes, LED strip lights can be left on all night without any problems. LED strip lights are extremely energy efficient, so leaving them on all night should not use a significant amount of electricity. LEDs also produce very little heat compared to other forms of lighting, so leaving them on should not be a safety issue.
Additionally, because LED strip lights are so long-lasting, leaving them on all night should not cause any damage or reduce their lifespan. However, if you want to be extra cautious, you can consider using a timer to turn off the lights after a predetermined amount of time.
Are LED strips bright enough to light a room?
LED strips can be very bright and are becoming increasingly popular for lighting rooms and other areas. Depending on the type of LED strip and the purpose for which it is being used, LED strips can be bright enough to light a room.
In general, LED strips provide good light distribution, making them particularly suitable for wide space lighting. For ambient lighting, LED strips are ideal because they provide sufficient brightness without being too harsh.
In addition, LED strips have been designed to last for many years—up to 50,000 hours —which makes them well suited for long-term use. For task lighting, LED strips can be used to provide directional light for specific areas, such as a workbench or countertop, and can produce a very bright light in these areas when used in combination with dimmer switches.
Lastly, LED strips can be used to create dynamic, eye-catching displays and color-changing effects, which can help to create a visually interesting room atmosphere. Overall, LED strips can be an excellent source of lighting for a room and can provide both functional and visually appealing lighting solutions in a variety of different settings.
What is considered a bright LED light?
A bright LED light is a light-emitting diode (LED) that produces a high level of visible light output. LED lights are considered bright when they produce a luminous flux (light output) greater than 1,000 lumens.
LED lights are typically brighter than incandescent and halogen lights which have a luminous flux of around 700 lumens. LED lights are becoming increasingly more popular due to their energy efficiency, long lifespan, and their durability.
LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours, compared to the 1,000 hours of traditional incandescent or halogen lights. Additionally, LED lights are environmentally friendly, as they require very little electricity, produce less heat and save energy when compared to other traditional lights.
They are also ideal for dimming purposes, and can be controlled with specialized dimmer switches. Bright LED lights come in variations of colours and sizes, making them versatile and ideal for a range of lighting applications.
How bright can LED lights get?
LED lights can range in brightness from 10 lumens up to thousands of lumens or more, depending on type and wattage. LEDs are now available in very low wattage, just a few watts, which still provide the same luminosity as the higher wattage bulbs.
The brightness of LED lights can sometimes be too strong for certain applications, and electronic dimming can be added to help control the amount of light produced. LEDs can reach an intensity of up to 3000 lumens, which is much brighter than older types of lights such as incandescent bulbs.
With the advancements in LED technology, those lumens ratings are expected to continue to increase. Ultimately, the brightness of LED lights can be exactly tailored to the situation. LEDs are highly efficient and can last for up to 50,000 hours, making them a great choice for long-term lighting applications.
What length LED lights should I get for my room?
When choosing the length of LED lights for a room, the most important thing to consider is the size and shape of the room, as well as the desired level of brightness. For a smaller room, shorter LED strips may be adequate, such as 6-foot or 8-foot strips.
For a larger room, 12-foot to 16-foot LED strips may be more suitable. Also, consider the wattage of the LED strips. High-wattage LEDs will create a brighter environment, while low-wattage LEDs may offer a more subtle, ambient glow.
It is important to also note that LED lights are available in both warm and cool temperatures and they provide different lighting atmospheres. Furthermore, consider how much control you want over the light’s colours and levels.
Some lights will offer pre-set colours and brightness levels, while other lights will allow you to customize the colour or brightness levels to suit your preference. Ultimately, the length of LED lights you choose for your room should depend on the size of the room, the desired level of brightness, the optional features of the LEDs and the atmosphere you would like to create.
Where should LED strip lights be placed under cabinets?
LED strip lights are a great way to bring light and style to your kitchen and other areas of your home. When installing LED strip lights under cabinets, there are a few key considerations you should keep in mind.
First, take into account how much light is needed in that area and what the purpose of the lights are. You may find that depending on your needs, you may need to install multiple LED strips to adequately cover the area you wish to be lit.
When installing, start with installing in the center of the cabinet, this will act as the main source of light. Place the LED strip up and away from the edge of the cabinet shelf to ensure none of the light is obstructed.
This will help spread the light and disperse it evenly across the back wall of the cabinet. Depending on the design of your kitchen, the LED strips can be placed further up the cabinet so that light is distributed in a more gradual, even fashion.
Be sure to take into consideration the light emitted from any windows above the cabinets as well so that you don’t overdo the lightinig. Installing a dimmer switch will also help control the brightness of the light coming from the LEDs.
Lastly, be sure to plan for power supplies, hiding the cables and any power outlets needed. With the proper planning, installation, and care, you can create a stunning effect with LED strip lights in your kitchen or other areas of your home.
What are the cons of LED strip lights?
The cons of LED strip lights include the fact that these lights are typically more expensive than traditional incandescent or fluorescent lighting options. LEDs also require the use of an external driver to format and configure the power supply for the lights, which adds to the installation cost.
Additionally, the rigid shape and flexible nature of these light strips can make mounting and installation difficult, especially if you don’t have the proper installation hardware or knowledge. Heat buildup is another concern with LEDs as they generate more warmth than traditional lighting and require proper heat sinking/dissipation.
If the heat isn’t dissipated, this could lead to a premature reduction in the light output and lifetime of the bulbs. Finally, LEDs commonly contain hazardous materials such as mercury that may need to be safely handled and disposed of at the end of their life.
How many under cabinet lights do I need?
The number of under cabinet lights you need will depend on the size of the area you are lighting and what type of effect you want to create. Generally, you should plan to have one light approximately every 4 to 6 feet for under cabinets in a kitchen.
However, you may want more or less in your particular situation. If the area is small, a single light may be enough. If the area is larger, you may want additional lights so you can spread them out. You will also want to consider the type of light fixture you are using, as some types may need to be spaced farther apart than others.
For example, lights with a wider beam angle make need to be spaced further apart. Additionally, other factors such as how reflective the surfaces are can affect how many lights you need. You should consult a professional to ensure that the number of lights you install is appropriate for the space you plan to light.