Home Improvement

Under cabinet lighting is a great way to accent your appliances, countertops, back splashes and simply add more lighting to your living space. If you are in the process of remodeling your home, or if you are having a home built, consider having it pre wired for undercabinet lighting.

If you are happy with your kitchen the way it is, yet you want to add some kind of lighting under your cabinets, there are a couple different routes you can take.

Battery powered LED under cabinet lighting is an easy, solution. The first, and main advantage is that there is no wiring! However, you will have to replace batteries from time to time. LED under cabinet lilghts are inexpensive and take only a few minutes to install. Some are touch to turn on, while others require the flip of a switch. When battery powered, they usually have to be turned on and off individually which can be a hassle.

You can also install flourescent under cabinet lighting, xenon under cabinet lights, and halogen under counter lights as well. Installing under cabinet lighting can be tedious, and if you are attempting to tie them into your homes power grid, hiring an electrician may be the way to go.

Having your under cabinet lighting recessed and hidden is key to really installing them correctly. Being able to see your under cabinet lights defeats their purpose, and becomes an eye sore. Make sure to place the under cabinet lights in well positioned areas, where they will make the most impact on your kitchen. Place them above focal points such as an expensive appliance or over a decorative portion of your tile back splash for accent lighting, and place them over food preparation stations, stoves, and sinks for a functional use as well.