Under Cabinet Lighting Options

Under cabinet lighting is quickly becoming a standard in kitchen remodels. It doesn’t take much to realize the benefit of quality task lighting, and also the extra depth it can add by highlighting the backsplash you worked so hard to choose and design. But there are several different types, each with their own benefits.

First, and my favorite, is the LED lighting. Number one is that LED lights don’t use as much electricity as standard light bulbs. This is great for two reasons, one is the obvious lower power bill, and two is less heat. LED bulbs give off very little heat, something you don’t want a lot building up under your cabinets while you’re already slaving over a hot stove. Durability is another great benefit of LED bulbs. They’re not a gas-filled tube like fluorescent bulbs and they don’t have a brittle filament like incandescents, so they can take a bit of a beating, like in a busy kitchen. Smaller bulbs are harder to break, but if it does happen, there’s not as much of a concern because no mercury is used in the manufacturing process. And last but not least, they last. In fact, they should last up to 10 times longer than a traditional light bulb, which is great news, because their only drawback is that they cost more.

Xenon bulbs have gained popularity for under cabinet lighting in recent years. They are a great alternative to halogen bulbs. They emit less heat than halogen bulbs, last considerably longer than halogen bulbs, and can be handled without gloves, unlike halogen bulbs. They are great for kitchen lighting because they are dimmable and won’t heat up your work space. So if your kitchen lamps use halogen bulbs now, replace them with xenon as soon as they burn out.

Last but not least, we have good old fashioned fluorescent lamps. The number one benefit of fluorescent under cabinet lighting is price. These are usually the least expensive options out there, but you better move fast because with the introduction of LEDs, fluorescent lights are losing shelf space. Fluorescent lights also don’t give off the heat that incandescent or halogen lights do, and it’s very easy to find and change bulbs. The number one downside to fluorescent under-cabinet lighting is possible exposure to mercury, so be careful when changing bulbs and dispose of them properly after doing so.

Whatever your choice, you’ll be glad you added some special lighting to your kitchen. It not only enhances it aesthetically, but also makes it easier and brighter to work in your kitchen. Add light in that dark corner and make it easy to see what you’re doing with this quick fix for your kitchen lighting.