Tired of Dark Kitchen Counters: Hire the Pros to Add Power for Cabinet Lighting

Table of Contents

• Why Your Kitchen Still Feels Dark with Overhead Lights
• Common Cabinet Lighting Problems Homeowners Run Into
• Why Cabinet Lighting Often Needs Electrical Work First
• Where Santella Electric Can Add Power for Cabinet Lighting
• Cabinet Lighting Electrical Options to Ask About
• Cabinet Lighting Electrical Mistakes to Avoid
• Call Santella Electric for Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Electrical Setup

Why Your Kitchen Still Feels Dark with Overhead Lights

Even with ceiling lights blasting, some kitchens still feel dark. This can stem from various reasons including high ceilings and minimal light through windows, which in turn create shadows underneath cabinets. Regardless of the reason, a dark kitchen is far from ideal for your home. Preparing food, cleaning adequately, and even just finding the right spices all become harder when lighting is subpar. Below, we’ll dive into the perfect solution to a dark kitchen – more, properly placed lights! With different light styles available, there are plenty of ways to solve a dark kitchen.

Common Cabinet Lighting Problems Homeowners Run Into

Homeowners often run into similar problems with cabinet lighting. In our experience, here are the biggest reasons why this is a problem:

Dark Countertops Under Upper Cabinets

While upper cabinets above a countertop are essential for kitchen storage, they can also create visibility issues. These cabinets frequently can produce nasty shadows that can inhibit your ability to see the task at hand. When preparing or cooking food, being able to properly see the nuances of your meal go a long way towards a tasty final product.

Plug-In Lights with Visible Cords

To battle these shadow problems from overhead cabinets, some homeowners choose to install smaller plug-in lights. While a temporary fix, these lights are often insufficient with what they illuminate on top of the annoying need to run visible cords. Especially if countertop space is already at a premium, dedicating more space to lights and cords can really feel like a waste.

Why Cabinet Lighting Often Needs Electrical Work First

For the best results with new kitchen lighting, electrical work is often needed first. This stems from a few different reasons:

Power May Not Exist Where the Lights Need to Go

Depending on where you want new lights in your kitchen, power may not adequately reach that area. This will require an expert electrician running new wires in the walls behind the cabinets to give the power needed. On top of that, creating safe electrical access for these new hardwired lights is essential for future maintenance and safety checks.

Older Kitchen Wiring May Need to be Checked

Even if the pre-existing wiring does exist, the wiring may need to be checked by a professional, especially in older kitchens. To wire in new lighting to an old system without proper safety checks can create health hazards.

Where Santella Electric Can Add Power for Cabinet Lighting

When working with Santella Electric, there are a few places where we commonly add power for cabinet lighting. This can vary based on the specific kitchen, but here are so stellar ideas that have worked in the past:

Under-Cabinet Lighting Areas

Under-cabinet lighting is one of the most popular lighting additions we see in kitchens. These lights provide clear visuals underneath cabinets, which tend to be one of the bigger problems in a kitchen. Say good-bye to those harsh cabinet shadows and experience the full size of your countertop space.

Above-Cabinet Lighting Areas

Above-cabinet lighting is also another fan-favorite we see. These lights, while not as functional as the under-cabinet lighting, can still provide some much needed light to a kitchen. What’s more, these lights look fantastic in a kitchen, especially after dark.

Inside-Cabinet Display Lighting

Seeing inside cabinets in a dark kitchen can also be an issue, especially when you’re searching for a particular spice or tool. Here, Santella can install inside-cabinet display lights to give you a ton more visual access to your cabinets. These lights look great and are extremely functional.

Toe-Kick and Night Lighting Areas

Underneath cabinets can also be a great place for kitchen lighting. Right along the floor, this area receives little light in a dark kitchen. This creates great places for crumbs to hide and general messes to form. Installing toe-kick/night lighting is a great way to gently add more light to your kitchen.

Cabinet Lighting Electrical Options to Ask About

Beyond just the physical light locations, there are also some great light features that can be installed. Ask about any of these features to have Santella Electric throw them in!

Dimmer Controls for Task and Accent Lighting

Dimmer controls, especially in the kitchen, can be fantastic. Having complete control over the light level allows you to create the perfect atmosphere for your kitchen at any given moment.

Separate Controls for Task and Accent Lighting

Parsing out the controls for new kitchen lighting can also be a great feature. Through this, you’d be able to control one part of the kitchen lighting, which is fantastic when only working in one section of the kitchen.

Smart Lighting Controls

In today’s modern technology, smart lighting is a great way to add additional levels of control. Many smart lights can be coordinated from apps to allow color control, lighting intensity, and specific sections. For the ultimate control over your kitchen lights, smart lighting is a great option.

Cabinet Lighting Electrical Mistakes to Avoid

When getting cabinet lighting, there are a few problems to avoid. Best practice here is to always bring in a professional to handle safety checks and installation. When working with the dangers of electrical work, professionals are always the best way forward. Here are some common problems we see when a non-professional tries their hand:

• Flickering lights
• Inadequate coverage/dark spots
• Fire hazards

Call Santella Electric for Kitchen Cabinet Lighting Electrical Setup

For the best results with your new kitchen cabinet lighting, look no further than Santella Electric. With years of experience around lights and kitchens, we understand the nuances of cabinet lights and can get your kitchen set up to thrive. Whether you want lights above, below, or inside your cabinets, or all three, we can help. Regardless of the type of light you want and the corresponding features, Santella can do it all. Go online or call Santella Electric today to get a quote for your new kitchen lighting and get your install day on the calendar! Kitchens shouldn’t be dark; brighten up your kitchen and cabinets today!