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KITCHEN

3 Ways to light your

kitchen cabinets

Over-cabinet lighting When standing at the kitchen counter counter, so use the longest fixture that fits;
The space above your kitchen whilst preparing food or reading from or, if using under-cabinet fixtures, space
cabinets is easy to ignore, but lighting a recipe book, you have your back to them out evenly. You’ll also want to match
this often-forgotten area of the kitchen the ceiling light source, limiting the the colour temperature of your under-
can make the space look professionally amount of illumination that reaches your cabinet lighting to that of your ceiling
designed. By illuminating this spot, you countertop. Under-cabinet fixtures bathe lights, to achieve a cohesive look.
add visual interest to the room while your countertop in light so you can see
giving it dimension. Fixtures positioned what you are doing. But remember – their
here give the illusion of height and position is key when installing them.
make the kitchen, as a whole, feel larger. If your goal is to highlight a decorative
LED strip lighting or under-cabinet backsplash, storage jars, or impressive
lighting work best to cast an inviting appliances on the counter, then
glow on the wall and ceiling above. position the fixture at the back
The fixtures themselves won’t be seen, of the cabinet near the wall.
but the illumination they offer has a If task lighting is more
dramatic impact on the look and feel of important to you, then
the space. Selecting LEDs for this area install them towards
of the home is a must because they don’t the front of the cabinet.
get hot and won’t damage your cabinet As with over-cabinet
or start a fire. lighting, strip lighting or
under-cabinet lighting
Under-cabinet lighting works best here. Keep in
Under-cabinet lighting not only looks mind that the light should
luxurious, but it is also highly functional. be spread evenly across the

Interior cabinet lighting
Open cabinets and glass front cabinets,
housing attractive crockery or decorative
glassware, benefit from having accent
lighting installed inside. Strip lights and
cabinet downlights both work well in this
space – the former illuminates the entire
interior cabinet, while the latter creates
more of a spotlight effect.

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30 Issue 247 • dw