Under cabinet kitchen lighting – hidden lighting at its best

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 5 of these fittings can be linked together.

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.