When we see dream kitchens in magazines, articles and advertisements, they’re usually big and bright spaces. However, not all of us are lucky enough to have kitchens with abundant natural light.
So how do you make your kitchen look and feel more inviting and efficient? One way is to add extra lighting.
Under cabinet lighting is a subtle, yet effective way of brightening up a kitchen. Cabinet lighting also adds value and can give the room a more upscale appearance.
Check out these benefits to under cabinet lighting and discover why you should install them in your San Diego home.

Adds More Light

One of the biggest benefits of installing under cabinet lights is that you can bring more light into the kitchen.

While that may not seem like such a big deal, lighting plays a big part in kitchen safety.

Having enough light helps illuminate your countertops, which can help you keep the food prep area clean. Extra lighting can also help reduce kitchen accidents when preparing food.

Overhead ceiling lights and pendant fixtures may not provide enough light, especially if you don’t have any windows in the kitchen.

Lighting under the cabinets can help reduce shadows in places where light has trouble reaching, such as parts of the countertop.

Looks Warm and Inviting

Does your current kitchen feel cold and sterile, or bland and uninspiring? If so, you probably don’t want to spend a lot of time there.

Bringing in different light sources can help a room look warmer and more inviting. When the kitchen looks bright and clean, you’ll want to spend time there.

Considering how much time we spend in the kitchen preparing and cooking meals, having the right lighting can make a big difference.

Cabinet lights enhance the look of your kitchen by adding layers of lighting.

Boosts the Value of Your Kitchen

This style of lighting looks modern and unique and can improve the aesthetic of your kitchen.

Kitchens remain one of the most popular rooms to renovate and remodel, as kitchen upgrades add value to your home.

Installing under cabinet lighting is an easy and cost-effective way to boost your home’s value without going overboard.

Easy to Install

It’s easy to have cabinet lighting installed in your kitchen. It’s simple to configure them and to choose a style that fits the look of the room.

Homeowners can install the lights themselves, although if you don’t have electrical experience, you can have them installed professionally.

A Budget-Friendly Upgrade

Kitchen renovations can quickly add up, leaving many homeowners worried they’ll go over their budget.

Sometimes all you need are little updates to modernize a room. There are plenty of inexpensive and easy upgrades that can improve the kitchen, including installing lights under the cabinets.

You can even find some budget-friendly upgrades for under $100. It doesn’t cost much to add a new light to the kitchen, and the results are more than worth the cost.

When you combine under cabinet lighting with other improvements, such as a fresh coat of paint and new hardware on the cabinets, you can give your kitchen a whole new look.

Plenty of Visual Options

If you’re looking for under cabinet lighting ideas, there are plenty of options.

There are a few different types of under cabinet lighting, as you can choose from battery-operated, hard-wired, or plug-in styles.

If you’re not sure whether you’re ready to commit to a hard-wired style, you can set up temporary lights to try it out.

When considering lighting, you can choose between LED, incandescent, and halogen bulbs. LED is perhaps the most popular choice, because they are safe to use, consume less energy and last longer. The choice is up to you.

Another factor you’ll want to consider is whether you like warm or cool lighting.

Both natural light and light bulbs affect color. If you have painted walls or cabinets, keep that in mind when choosing warm or cool lighting.

There are two types of cabinet lighting, light bars or strips, and pucks. Light bars are long and rectangular and provide more light. Pucks are smaller and round and  concentrate light on one area.

Save Money on Energy Bills

Installing under cabinet lighting can help reduce your energy bills, especially if you choose an LED style.

Why? You won’t always need the overhead lights on when you enter the kitchen. If you’re only interested in a late-night snack or to get a glass of water, turning on the cabinet lights might be all you need.

These are small bulbs that don’t need much power. They’re more effective than a nightlight, but not as intense as a pendant light or track lighting.

How Many Under Cabinet Lights Do I Need?

Now that you know more about the perks of cabinet lighting, you might be wondering how many you should get. That depends on whether you want puck lights or light strips.

For puck lights, the general rule is one every 8-12 inches under the cabinet.

If you’re installing linear lighting, you’ll want one underneath each cabinet. Choose a length that comes as close to the length of your cabinet as possible. For example, if the length underneath the cabinet is 18-inches, choose a 16-inch light.

Puck lighting is softer and you can direct the light. Linear lights light up the countertop and the backsplash, eliminating more shadows. Both styles work well, so the choice is up to you.

Upgrade Your Kitchen with Under Cabinet Lighting

Under cabinet lighting is a quick and easy way to transform the look of your kitchen. Not only do cabinet lights brighten up the room, but they also make the kitchen look more modern and help you save on energy bills as well.

Are you ready to install cabinet lighting but not sure which style you want? Lighting Distinctions is here for you. Send us a message to learn more about our interior lighting options and how we can help you create your dream kitchen today.