- Low wattage LED lighting is commonly used for under-counter lighting.??"?'??''?'---LED image by kelly marken from Fotolia.com
Under-counter lighting can serve more than a utilitarian purpose; it can also add character to a counter space. Low wattage LED and fluorescent lighting strips are commonly used to illuminate dark countertops, although decorators looking to add a stylistic touch can opt for nontraditional kitchen lighting. Twinkle lights are an inexpensive way to add a bit of magic to classic lighting. But if "going green" or ecology friendly is what a designer desires, intelligent lighting can help save money on electric bills. - A string of C6 mini LED lights, also known as white twinkle lights, can go a long way when it comes to kitchen decor. A normal application of this lighting would border the frame under the kitchen cabinets. It can be used alone or in conjunction with other traditional lighting LED track to add a touch of femininity and whimsy. Other ways to use twinkle lights are to create a backboard that can be incorporated with the "backsplash" area, which is the sometimes tiled area between the cabinets and the counter. Instead of lighting the bottom of the cabinet area, a designer or hobbyist can create a lighted backboard out of wood or cork-board. Holes can be drilled to create a design in the selected board material, and the twinkle lights can be inserted. Common designs can include kitchen-appropriate words or draw from celestial inspirations.
- Colored LED lighting isn't just for nightclub decor. In fact, blue or green lights can add another creative dimension to countertop lighting. Colored lighting can help enhance the kitchen's colors. For example a kitchen decorated in earth tones can use sepia colored lighting, or a modern stainless steel kitchen can be accentuated with a crisp blue lighting. One of the most important things to look for when choosing the lighting is the wattage, as a low 12 wattage is generally recommended for countertop illumination. Additionally, installing colored lighting doesn't differ greatly from other LED lighting; some kits are easy for most do-it-yourself aficionados to install while others units might require an electrician.
- A decorator looking to evoke an urban feeling to the kitchen can choose to install low-wattage free-falling light bulbs. A free-falling light bulb fixture is one that is just a socket attached to a normal-size light bulb, either hanging from a stainless steel rod or an electrical wire. Because this bare bones lighting fixture is a favorite with decorators, the wire or cable for the lighting fixture is more readily available in a variety of colors. Using this fixture for an under-counter area would depend on the amount of space between the cabinets and the countertop. This lighting is often more appropriate for apartments with high ceilings as it requires a certain amount of space between the cabinet bottoms and countertop for the light bulb to descend. When used in conjunction with modern cabinetry, subway tile backsplash and brushed metal fixtures, it can help a kitchen to present that lackadaisical yet metropolitan appeal.
- Ecology friendly or energy-saving lighting is a trend that is even affecting under-counter lighting. One form of this type of lighting is florescent, which emits an unforgiving white light associated with commercial real estate. New advances in ecology-friendly lighting have incorporated micro-sensors and micro-controllers, which can help to sense and transfer light where it would be most beneficial as opposed to lighting the entire area. Other ecology-friendly lighting has the ability to be dimmed, which can also help conserve energy consumption. Decorators looking to help brighten dimly lit under-counter areas can also use mirror tiles as a backsplash. Incorporating a reflective surface can help to bounce the light and thus brighten the area.
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