What is the Best Color for Under Cabinet Lighting?


This article discusses what the best color for under cabinet lighting is. With the different under cabinet lighting colors available, it can be confusing to find the one that suits your needs and preferences. Choosing the right color makes a difference when it comes to the functionality and visual look of the space. Check out the rest of the article below to find out the answer to this question.

What is the best color for under cabinet lighting? The best color for under cabinet lighting will have to depend on your preferences and how you will use the light. It all comes down to one’s preferences. If you plan to use the lights in the kitchen, choose a color temperature between 3000K and 4000K. This provides a cool color which makes it ideal for task lighting.

The color of under cabinet lighting also sets the mood in the room. It can provide a warm, cool, or neutral look into your space. See to it that you consider where you will place the lights. Different color temperature suits better in a specific room of the house. To help you get started, we have shared tips and ideas that you can refer to below.

What is the best color for under cabinet lighting
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych from Pexels

Should Under Cabinet Lighting be Warm or Cool?

Under cabinet lighting can either be warm or cold depending on how you prefer it to be. For instance, a cool temperature is ideal for task lighting. This color provides a bright glow which makes it easier to see what you are doing. The color temperature of 4200K or higher is perfect for kitchens. For more information about this topic, check out this article titled, should under cabinet lighting be warm or cool?

What is CRI?

CRI or color rendering index accurately measures how an object appears under natural daylight. It has a score that ranges from 0 to 100. The higher the score is, the closer the accuracy of how the object looks under natural daylight. If you need lighting that will enhance the appearance and color accuracy of an object, it is recommended that you choose a CRI of 95 or higher. You can check the CRI score of the light on the packaging.

What is Color Temperature?

The color temperature describes the light appearance of the light bulb and can affect the overall appearance of a room. Make sure to choose a color temperature according to the use of the room. For instance, if you will use light in a kitchen, a cooler temperature is an ideal option because it is brighter.

How to Choose the Best Color Temperature

There are a few factors that you need to consider when it comes to choosing the best color temperature for your room. See to it that it matches the color temperature of the rest of the room and you also need to consider its effect on the countertops. Color temperature is measured in Kelvin. Let us learn more about this below.

Match the Color Temperature with the Rest of the Room

When choosing a color temperature for your lighting, consider matching it with the existing lighting in the room. If the room has wood tomes and warm-colored tiled, it looks best with a warmer color temperature. Choose a color temperature between 2700K and 3500K. On the other hand, if the room has glass shelves and cool-toned tiles, it will look best with a cooler color temperature that is between 3500K and 5000K. You can also check out this article that we have shared that discusses what color of LED light is best for the kitchen. We have shared tips and information that you can refer to.

The Effects on Your Countertops

You also need to consider how the lights will look against your countertops. While glossy countertops are stunning, they can also create a mirrored effect. This will reflect the under cabinet lights onto the countertop. For glossy countertops, opt for under cabinet lighting with a lens over the light bulb. This will effectively minimize reflections. Moreover, having dark-colored countertops and backsplashes can suck up the light making the space darker. To prevent this, choose a lighting fixture that emits a good deal of light.

How Do I Choose an Under Cabinet Light?

There are different factors that you need to consider when choosing an under cabinet lighting. One of the things that you need to take note of is where you will install the lighting and how you will use it. Determining these things can help you decide on the size, type, style, and color temperature of the light.

For the Kitchen

Choose cool white temperature for kitchens because it produces more lights and makes it easier to do specific tasks like chopping, cooking, and washing the dishes.

For the Living Room

Warm light color temperatures are ideal for living room areas because it provides a relaxing and warm ambiance.

✅ Video – How to Install Under Cabinet Lighting

Lowe’s Home Improvement shared the video below on YouTube. It shows how to install under cabinet lighting. In the video, a step-by-step process on how to install different type of under cabinet lighting for kitchen is demonstrated. Check out the video for more tips and information.

What Are the Different Fixture Types of Under Cabinet Lighting?

The different fixture types of under cabinet lighting include light bars, puck and button lights, and strip and tape lights. Each type has its pros and cons. Let us learn more about this below.

Light Bars

One option that you can choose is light bars. It features a linear-style bar that comes in different lengths to accommodate any type of cabinet. The good thing about light bars is that it distributes the light evenly onto the countertops. Make sure to choose a light bar that matches the width of your cabinets so that you can get even light distribution.

Puck and Button Lights

Another option that you can choose is the puck and button lights. They are easy to install and make an ideal under-cabinet lighting solution. You can place puck and button lights under cabinets to illuminate the coffee station. You can also install them in the bathroom for a soft and bright illumination at night. Choose from a wide array of styles and sizes that are available on the market.

Strip and Tape Lights

Strip and tape lights are similar to light bars. The difference is that they are slimmer and are also easier to install. These type of lights provides good illumination for counter space in a linear fashion. Generally, strip and tape lights use small LED bulbs. The bulbs are placed within a tape-style base. Moreover, most of the strip and tape lights are peel-and-stick. This means that they are lightweight, easy to install, and also save space. To install the lights, simply peel off the adhesive tape on the back and stick it under the cabinets. We have also shared this article that discusses if you can use strip lights under cabinets. Check out the article for more tips and ideas.

How Many Lumens Do I Need for Under Cabinet Lighting?

The number of lumens that you need for the under cabinet lighting depends on where you want to install the lighting. Take note that under cabinet lighting for counters that require bright lights like the kitchen need to have between 1000 to 2500 lumens. This will make sure that there is enough light available to do different tasks like cutting, chopping, and cooking.

Why Install Under Cabinet Lighting?

One of the benefits of installing under cabinet lighting is that they provide additional illumination for the countertops. Hence, it is safer and more functional to prepare and cook food for kitchen areas. Furthermore, under cabinet lighting also provides an aesthetic appeal to the space. This is because the height between the cabinet and the countertops can highlight the intricate patterns of your backsplash. You can also check out this article that we have shared titled, what are the lights under the cabinets called? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

How Many Under Cabinet Lights Do I Need?

The number of under cabinet lights that you need will have to depend on the number of lumens that each light produced, the amount of space that needs to be illuminated, and the type of light fixture. Generally, under-cabinet lighting should have an average of 1000 to 2500 lumens.

Which Under Cabinet Lights are the Easiest to Install?

The easiest under cabinet lights to install are the wireless puck lights. They come with an adhesive back that you can simply peel and stick into the cabinets. Some models require using two screws to install the lights.

Is Under Cabinet Lighting Worth It?

Under-cabinet lighting is worth it. It can save money on your energy bill in the long run. This is especially true if you are using an LED light fixture. It can save money because only a small space of the room is lighted.

Conclusion

You have reached the end of this article that discusses what the best color for under cabinet lighting is. We have found out that the best color for under cabinet lighting depends on one’s preferences and needs. Moreover, we have shared tips on how to choose the best under cabinet lighting for your home. Under cabinet lighting have many benefits. Aside from providing additional light for your countertops, it is also an efficient and flexible lighting option that can save you money in the long run. Thank you for reading!

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