It’s in autumn and winter that you most notice the lighting in your home. How effective it is. How attractive it is. And where it could be improved. But the kitchen is an area that is often overlooked when it comes to lighting. We stick to the fixtures that came with the house, as long as they provide a serviceable light. We don’t think about aesthetics as much as perhaps we ought, instead focussing on pure utility. But when the nights draw in, kitchen cabinet lighting can be as practical as it is pretty. And many options are really easy to install.
What Do You Need to Know About Kitchen Cabinet Lighting?
How do you know which kitchen cabinet lighting you need?
Before selecting your kitchen cabinet lighting, you need to consider a few questions:
- What do you want the lights for? Are you looking for task lighting, or something to provide a lower level of ambient lighting? Or are you looking for purely decorative purposes?
- Where are you thinking of installing your kitchen cabinet lights? This is important when considering the first question.
- How do you want to manage installation? Are you happy to have lights that require an electrician for installation, or are you looking for a ‘plug and play’ interface?
- What do you use your kitchen for? Is it merely for cooking, or is it a kitchen-diner, or something of a home-hub? This should influence your lighting choices.
- What aesthetic do you want? Kitchen cabinet lights come in a range of styles and colours – some are colour change – and the light you choose will impact your overall aesthetic.
What are the different kitchen cabinet light types and what are they for?
Strip lights
Strip lights, like the Nordlux Renton, can be a great choice if you’re seeking improved task lighting. They provide an even and consistent illumination, and they’re pretty quick for an electrician to install. The drawback is that they come in fixed sizes, which may limit where you can put them.
LED tape lights
LED tape lights, like the Saxby Flexline, are the most versatile choice for kitchen cabinet lighting. They are plug and play and can be installed almost anywhere (although that does mean that you lose one of your plug sockets). The LEDs are integrated, so they last a really long time, and you don’t have to worry about bulb replacement. And many come with a colour change option, giving you a little more control over your ambience.
Downlights
Kitchen cabinet downlights probably give you the most choice, aesthetically. You can choose a dynamic style, like the Saxby Nix. Or something less obtrusive, like the Nordlux Lismore. And you can position them at intervals to create the lighting effect you’re looking for. However, most of these lights do require an electrician for installation, which can eat into your budget.
How to choose the best kitchen cabinet lighting
Practicalities must always come first when you’re considering any lighting installation. So, work out:
- Your budget – including installation.
- What you want the lights for.
- Whether you have space to install your preferred cabinet lighting style.
- And the light colour temperature you need – it’s a good idea to ensure that all of the lights in your kitchen have the same colour temperature. You can ascertain this by the number followed by a K on your lighting. 3000K, for example, is a warm white, while 6000k is cool white.
Once you have established the practical side, you are in a great position to narrow down your choices.
Kitchen cabinet lighting is often installed as an afterthought, but it can make a tremendous difference to the way that you use your kitchen, as well as how appealing it looks and feels. Especially during the darker, winter months.
View the full collection of First Choice Lighting kitchen cabinet lights.
