Under Cabinet LightsTraditionally, rooms are illuminated by a single light fixture suspended in the centre of the ceiling. Whilst this provides a good overall level of illumination, it often casts shadows around the edges of a room. Under cabinet lighting is the ideal solution to this problem.When placed properly under cabinet lighting is excellent for providing task lighting in kitchens, offices and practically any other workspace usually obstructed by shadows cast by ceiling lighting. In this respect it is also an incredibly practical form of lighting as its use is not restricted to cabinets. These light fittings can be fixed under shelves, in airing cupboards or entertainment units to provide light without taking up any valuable work or storage space. Under cabinet lighting is not a purely functional form of illumination, it can also be used as accent lighting to display a beautiful statue or vase, light the inside of a cabinet or even provide floor level illumination when placed on the under side of lower level cabinets. Depending on the intended use there is a huge variety of under cabinet lighting available, including everything from bar lights suitable for illuminating large areas, to small disc lights perfect for highlighting a single feature. When choosing under cabinet lighting it is also important to take into consideration the light source most suitable for your needs. Traditional incandescent lights are popular as they can be fitted with a dimmer switch and so used to provide both task and accent lighting. However, this form of lighting is more expensive to run and much less energy efficient than others. Halogen lights provide a level of illumination very similar to daylight and so make for excellent task lights; they too can be fitted with a dimmer switch. When using halogen lights in the kitchen, be careful to consider what is placed in the cupboards directly above and below them as they become very hot and may have an adverse effect on any food being stored. Fluorescent lighting is the most energy efficient light source available to use in conjunction with under cabinet lighting and is also the coolest, making it particularly suitable to use in the kitchen. Although fluorescent light sources cannot be used in conjunction with dimmer switches, they are good for providing a consistent level of task lighting. When installing the light source, bear in mind that for task lighting it is best to place the light source as near to the front of the cabinet as possible as this will provide a focused light which is safe to work in. For accent lighting place the light source slightly forward of the centre of the cabinet as this provides a softer, more pleasant effect. Although not bright enough to light a large area unaided, under cabinet illumination adds another dimension to a room, whether used to provide task or accent lighting. |
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