Five Things You Should Know About Under Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lighting can brighten up even the darkest, dullest kitchen. These lights make it easier to do everything from reading recipes to dicing vegetables without chopping off your fingers. Here’s a guide to choosing and installing these handy, attractive lighting systems.
1. They Eliminate Shadows
One of the biggest benefits of under cabinet lights is the way they eliminate shadows. Even the brightest, cleanest overhead lighting can create shadows that invariably fall right where you’re trying to do focused work. With under-cabinet lights, you get bright lighting that makes it easy to see what you’re doing.
2. You Can Choose Your Levels
Generally speaking, most under cabinet lights fall into one of two categories.
Low voltage lights use either 12 or 24 volts. The main benefit of these lights is their small size. You can use smaller fixtures and install them anywhere, including small counters and tight corners. They also emit less heat, which makes them more comfortable to work under.
Normal voltage lights use your home’s standard 120 volts. They produce more light, but they can also put out high levels of heat. On the plus side, you won’t need a transformer to reduce the voltage levels if you choose these.
You can get even better lighting and save even more money by using LED bulbs in your lighting fixtures.
3. They Come In Different Colors
If you think you’re limited to standard colors in your under cabinet lighting, think again. Colored LED lights can give under cabinet lights a different look and feel. They come in your choice of white, soft white, yellow, blue, red, or green. If your kitchen is highly modern or has a lot of steel and glass, a cool-toned blue or white lighting would work well. If you have a more traditional style, country style, or warm colors in your kitchen, choose red or yellow lights.
4. They Can Increase Your Home’s Value
The kitchen and the bathroom are the two rooms that get the most attention from potential buyers. Bright, attractive lighting improves the look of any kitchen. If you’ve recently remodeled, under cabinet lighting will make your kitchen glow. If you have an attractive backsplash or other features, these lights will call attention to them.
According to the real estate website Trulia, under cabinet lighting is one of the top ways to increase your kitchen’s resale value and “give the kitchen a higher-end look.”
5. There Are Two Ways to Install Them
Are you looking for installed lighting or a simple plug-in?
You can buy plug-in lights that you stick to the bottom of your cabinet and plug into an outlet. These are inexpensive, fast, and easy to put up. They may be the only choice if you live in a rented home or it’s an emergency situation.
They have a number of drawbacks, however, including an unattractive, bulky appearance. The wires and plugs tend to get in the way when you’re working. They aren’t considered an upgrade if you’re trying to sell your home.
The hard-wired installation connects the lighting system to the home’s existing system. Since it involves partial removal of the wall and complicated wiring, a professional electrician must install it for you.
If you want the real benefits of under cabinet lighting, you should always choose the hard-wired installation. This gives your cabinets a seamless, elegant look. This type of lighting is a major upgrade to any kitchen, but it takes only a day to complete.
SESCOS Makes It Easy To Enjoy Under Cabinet Lighting
If you want fast, expert installation of your under cabinet lights, talk to SESCOS. We can help you select the voltage, color, and type of bulbs that will create a dramatic upgrade to your kitchen. Enjoy bright, safe lighting that makes your home come alive. Contact SESCOS today for all your electrical needs.