Kitchen lighting ideas for under cabinet lighting is mostly about the function of task lighting, so light quality is important.  Under Cabinet lights are usually mostly hidden so look of fixture is less important. There is cabinet molding called light rail that can be put on the bottom of cabinets to help hide the under cabinet lights, and also adds a decorative touch to the cabinets. For a step by step guide to installing under cabinet lights visit the Installing Under cabinets page.

The finishes for under cabinet lights are the same basic finishes found on most other lighting types: Stainless steel, white, black, bronze, and brass sometimes. Most people match the finish with the rest of the fixtures in a kitchen.

The best type of light fixture best used for under cabinet kitchen lighting are the bar lights that come in different lengths to fit different cabinet sizes. Puck lighting can also be used under cabinets, but do not throw out as much light. LED tape lighting can be used if it is the High output type tape lighting.

White, Bronze, and Stainless Steel Bar lights

Under cabinet lighting comes in LED,  fluorescent, xenon, and halogen. The best under cabinet kitchen lighting bulb type to use is LED, or Xenon regular 110 voltage direct wire with no extra equipment, and  low voltage transformers or LED Drivers to hide. The LED Light quality is as good as the Xenon, and the LED lights produce almost no heat, so my first choice is always LED. The only draw back is price, the LED under cabinet lights are twice as much as the Xenons. See the light bulb page for a break down of the different light bulbs, and in what situations they are best used for.

A good Idea when purchasing under cabinet lighting make sure the lights are regular voltage hard wire and linkable capable. A Hard wired light is one with no cord, and linkable means the light has a knockout for a wire to exit the light and connect to another light. The only time I recommend a Low Voltage fixture is when the LED under cabinet lights must be dimmable, (only the low voltage LED under cabinet lights with an exterior driver can be dimmed at this point in time). An example of this type of light is on then web page: Dimmable LED Under Cabinet Lights,.

If you are just in the planning stage of a kitchen remodel then put together a lighting idea plan showing where the under cabinet lighting will go, and where it will be switched. The design plan for under cabinet should put the lights no farther than 10" apart for a better non spotty look. See the Before Cabinets Electrical page at the Kitchen Guide Book for information on lighting planning and installation. For more information about under cabinet lighting than is found on this page visit www.bestundercabinetlights.com.

lighting can be retro fitted in an already existing kitchen, but you will see a cord going down to an existing outlet, and the switch is on the light. Be sure to purchase lighting that is all ready wired with a plug.

www.under-cabinet-lights.net is one of my favorite places online to shop for under cabinet lighting.