No More Shadows with Kitchen Task Lighting
If you want to remodel your kitchen in the next 12 months, there are many things to consider besides appliances, flooring, paint color, and backsplashes. The lighting you choose will make the most impact on the functionality of the space, especially the under-cabinet lighting.
Most ambient kitchen lighting comes from fixtures mounted in the ceiling. They do an excellent job of illuminating a room but struggle to reach corners and underneath cabinets. Task lighting or under cabinet lighting solves the problems of shadows by offering additional light that shines right where you need it in a residential kitchen – on the counters where food prep occurs, over the stovetop or sink. This bright illumination eliminates shadows thrown by overhead lights and makes it convenient to read a cookbook or safely chop vegetables with a sharp knife.
There are a few choices when it comes to under cabinet lights. Affordable battery-operated puck lights are an option – but the cost of replacing batteries negates the affordability. And, the illumination casts a “hotspot” on the counter, which may not be the desired look depending on your tastes and preferences.
Another option is LED strip reels purchased easily online and affixed to the underside of cabinets. This luminaire type is made of many individual LEDs, which can fail. And, the light output can be dimmer than other solutions.
Shallow-profile linear LED Fixtures
If you want long-lasting, efficient light, consider a shallow profile linear LED fixture installed and hardwired by a professional electrician. These fixtures offer a diffused lens that softens and dissipates the shadow lines on work surfaces. The lens also eliminates the reflection of the fixture on a highly polished surface such as a countertop. After remodeling a kitchen, the last thing you want to see is the reflection of individual LEDs of a strip light or each puck under the cabinet.
Save energy and enhance the overall aesthetic of a modern kitchen by placing the under-cabinet task lighting on a dimmer switch allowing the lights to pull double duty if you have an attractive backsplash or countertop. Also, you will have the convenience to turn up the light for meal prep and create a romantic atmosphere by turning the lights down.
Be safe by installing under-cabinet lights that sense movement. This feature will allow you to enter a dark kitchen without grappling for the light switch. Conversely, when the kitchen is unoccupied for a time, the lights will shut themselves off.
Summary
A residential kitchen is the workhorse of the house. Consider the entire lighting scheme when remodeling a kitchen, but don’t forget the under cabinet lights! Task lighting under cabinets helps eliminate shadows created by ambient light while offering safety optimum visibility for completing prep tasks and enhancing decorative features such as a backsplash or countertop.
