Learn About Lighting Options for Your Kitchen

Good lighting is essential in every room in the house. Still, it is especially crucial in the kitchen, which serves as the home’s central hub. You’ll be able to get a better look at anything you’re preparing and cooking with this. In addition, the mood and atmosphere of your kitchen may be altered by switching out the lights. Kitchen lighting is like cooking a balanced meal: both are important. The correct illumination might help you get on track and finish your work for the day.

The lighting you choose may alter the tone and atmosphere of your home, including the kitchen. A warm and friendly environment may be produced, as well as one that serves a practical function. The proper lighting will make your kitchen tasks more secure, less messy, and easier to see. If you are wondering about different lighting options that you can have for your kitchen, you have come to the right place!

Types of Kitchen Lights

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It would help if you first familiarize yourself with the different types of kitchen lights before exploring the various kitchen lighting alternatives. The three types of lighting that may be used in a kitchen are ambient, task, and accent.

Ambient lighting is the major source of illumination. It can supplement natural light or serve as a substitute for it. Chandeliers, flush mounts, pendants, and recessed lighting are all excellent examples of ambient lighting. You may use these lights as a guide while you’re cooking.

Kitchens often have dimmed spots due to ambient lighting designed to illuminate the whole room. So, task lighting is essential in the kitchen as well. Cooking, finding ingredients, and reading recipes are all made easier with the right amount of light provided by these fixtures. Puck lights and strip lights are typically used as task lighting in kitchens.

Accent lighting is something to think about if you want your kitchen to appear suitable in addition to being well-lit. You may use these lights to draw attention to the features you value most in your kitchen. Cabinet lighting and toe kick lights are two kinds of accent lighting. They do double duty as both task and ambient lights.

Under-Counter Lighting

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You may rely on the led strip or under-counter lighting in the kitchen whenever you need some extra light or some atmosphere. Under-Counter lighting can be used as a task and accent lighting for your kitchen. While cabinets in the kitchen are convenient for storing items, they may be distracting by throwing shadows on the surfaces below. Under-cabinet lighting is a simple way to improve your kitchen’s functionality and aesthetics at once.

Puck Lights as Under-Counter Lights

 

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If you are looking for good under-counter light, puck lights are a perfect choice. Puck lights are made to provide more of a concentrated beam of light. They may be concealed in the cabinets, so the room still seems put together even when turned off. Accent lighting, such as that provided by puck lights, is another practical application for this versatile product.

LED Strip Lights are Another Option

 

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LED strip lights are an alternative to puck lights for under-cabinet illumination. Adding LED strip lighting to your kitchen may be a great way to transform the area. A low-effort improvement with high-impact results for setting a classier, more contemporary mood in any space. 

LEDs may be utilized in various fixtures and applications around your kitchen to help you create a modern, sleek aesthetic.

WiFi-Controlled Lighting Option

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WiFi controllable puck and strip lights are available. They feature what are called “smart light bulbs,” or LED light sources that can be controlled remotely through WiFi. This way, you can adjust the lighting from anywhere you happen to be, and you can even program in dynamic light patterns that change with the hours of the day. 

The lifespan and efficiency of smart light bulbs much exceed those of traditional light bulbs. Not only will these modern, WiFi-controlled, wireless kitchen cabinet lights bring color and ambiance to your kitchen, but they will also make your life easier and more pleasant.

LEIMI WiFi Smart LED Strip Lights are an example of WiFi-controlled lights for the kitchen. LEIMI is a high-tech LED bulb that will brighten up your kitchen and make your life easier. It doesn’t need a hub or bridges to connect; setting it up is a breeze. Alexa voice control is supported, and the streamlined app may be used with any device running Android or iOS.

There is no shortage of state-of-the-art under-cabinet lighting solutions, but most aren’t WiFi-controlled or even LED strips. Even if your kitchen is already constructed and you have limited options for renovation, you may breathe new life into it by adding these lights.

Plan Before You Install Kitchen Lights

Before you go out and buy a ton of different types of kitchen light fixtures, it’s ideal to have a plan in place. Depending on the size of your kitchen, a different number of lights or fixtures may be required. That’s why it’s crucial to look at your room before deciding on a lighting fixture. 

Darker finishes and a high ceiling indicate the need for additional illumination. Placing many forms of lighting in a modern kitchen requires careful thought and preparation. Therefore, a plan might be helpful when selecting lighting.

Modes of Kitchen Light Installation

You may choose from hardwiring, plugging in, or using batteries for your under-cabinet lighting. Lighting that plugs into an electrical outlet is called “plug-in wiring.” Both the installation and price are pretty reasonable. 

Hard-wire lighting, on the other hand, uses the home’s preexisting electrical infrastructure but must be installed by a licensed electrician. Lights such as strip lights and rope lights require no special training to set up. Choose lights that can simply be plugged in, or go for battery-operated ones.

Know the Watts Needed and the Voltage Used

Knowing how much light you need is crucial when shopping for kitchen lights. To get this number, multiply the total square feet of your countertops by 2.5. Low voltage under-cabinet lighting is available in 12 or 24 volts, in addition to the standard 120 volts. 

Low-voltage lighting is a good option if you need more bulbs but only have limited space in a cabinet. Even though low-voltage bulbs generate less heat, a transformer must be installed inside the cabinet or on a separate circuit. You may confidently purchase a light of any voltage, as the quality of the light and the longevity of the lights are unaffected by the voltage used.

Decide on the Correct Color Temp

The kitchen light bulbs must also have a color temperature chosen. The color of its light bulbs may alter the mood of a room in the same way that other decorative elements can. You may use cooler bulbs to create a brighter kitchen and better see what you’re doing in the kitchen. Warmer bulbs, however, are great if you want to create a lounge-like atmosphere in your kitchen, similar to bars and eateries.

An LED light bulb’s color temperature, often known as the color or tone, is measured in Kelvins. An increased Kelvin value indicates a colder, more blue color temperature. As you go down the K scale, you’ll find yourself leaning more toward a warmer, yellow, tea-light color. In the kitchen, you should use either light with a warm white rating of 3,000 to 4,000 Kelvin or a cooler white rating of 4,000 to 5,000 Kelvin.

Consider the Height of the Ceiling

When lighting a kitchen, more light is beneficial, especially if the ceiling is high. Recessed downlights are an excellent option for a kitchen’s ambient lighting since they allow you to create a unique lighting design. You can direct more light to the places that get the most use, and they’re lovely for illuminating the entire room. If you’re worried about things being too bright, you may permanently install dimmers to give yourself more flexibility.

Ambient lighting in the kitchen can be provided by recessed downlights or flush or semi-flush mounts. If your kitchen is cramped, consider this model. A single huge flush mount ceiling light installed in the middle of the room may provide ample lighting for the entire kitchen.

Consistency is the Key

It’s essential to maintain consistency while making adjustments to the kitchen’s lighting. If you want your kitchen’s cupboards, countertops, and floor to have the same intensity of color, choosing light bulbs of the same hue for the whole room is important.

You’re free to mix and match lighting designs, provided they complement one another. For instance, you may get creative with the design of your lights, but they should all be of the same color scheme or arrangement.

The kitchen has several purposes beyond just cooking: it is also a place to store and organize supplies, host gatherings, and enjoy time with family and friends. Having a well-lit and aesthetically pleasing kitchen might inspire you to create healthy, tasty meals regularly. Following the tips and learning the information above, your kitchen should have more than enough light.