In this article we’ll look at the practical and visual benefits of under cabinet lighting and show you products that transform any kitchen.
Why you need under cabinet kitchen lights
Overhead lighting in a kitchen provides ambient light, but it’s less than ideal for lighting most kitchen worktops. There are a couple of reasons for this:
- Food preparation needs a brightly lit kitchen surface. Being far away, a ceiling light has to use more energy than a nearby fitting to achieve the same light intensity.
- Most kitchen surfaces are at the room’s edge, so the effect of a ceiling light is often blocked by the cook.
Under cabinet lighting resolves these issues. You can still have ceiling lights—preferably dimmable—but use low-powered fittings to light your kitchen surfaces from close range. This is not only practical, but also creates mood.
Two Types
Lyco’s wide range of under cabinet lights is dividable into two types:
- Under cabinet downlights provide focused light and are usually installed in multiples. These tend to be stylish fittings that make a good choice for high cabinets. They also create attractive patterns of light on the kitchen wall.
- Under cabinet strip lights run the length of a cabinet for an even spread of light. These fittings are ideal for low-mounted cabinets. Usually, they can be linked together to seamlessly light a long kitchen surface.
Downlight Recommendations
The stylish Eterna LED Triangle Light in white has a neat triangular design. Its warm white hue complements wood, red tiles or brickwork.
A circular design is found in the Robus Commodore LED Cabinet Light. Use of LED makes this fitting dearer than a halogen light, but the extra cost is always recouped through greater energy efficiency. The Laghetto emits a cool white light that goes well with modern white or metallic surroundings.
Strip light Recommendations
Offering superb value for money, these under cabinet lights come complete with LED tube. Up to 10 of these fittings can be linked together. The supplied tube is 80% more energy efficient than its equivalent 40W incandescent bulb.
Another option is an LED Strip Light, which can last around for 2o,000 hours. These energy-efficient lights are sold in a choice of lengths, which can be joined with link leads to create exactly the set-up you need.
Please view our full range of Cabinet Lighting to find the right product for your kitchen.
For more advice, inspiration and news take a look at our Lighting Advice section.
Take a look at our full range of Cabinet Lighting
For more advice, inspiration and news take a look at our Lighting Advice section.
Charles Barnett Managing Director
Charles started Lyco in 1995 with just 4 enthusiastic employees and has grown it considerably over the past 25 years. Charles is also the Managing Director of Lighting Direct and newly acquired Online Lighting. He now has a team of 50 lighting experts working on growing Lyco Group to be the UK leader in lighting for both businesses and homes. Away from the office he is a keen cyclist and is proud to have cycled 1017 miles from Lands End to John O’Groats to raise money for a new residential centre for adults with multiple learning difficulties.