Using Under Cabinet Lights In Your Outdoor Kitchen

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Jun 032013
 
PinExt Using Under Cabinet Lights In Your Outdoor Kitchen

Outdoor Kitchen HGTV 300x225 Using Under Cabinet Lights In Your Outdoor Kitchen

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Whether you’re building an outdoor kitchen for the first time, or updating yours for summer, under cabinet lights can be a valuable addition. Today’s blog post will explain what under cabinet lights can add to your outdoor kitchen, and how to find the right kind for you…

What Under Cabinet Lights Will Add To Your Space:

You need a light to rely on.

Most outdoor kitchens don’t have a constant source of ambient light. Unless your space is complete with a ceiling and some sort of overhead fixture, you can’t just rely on the sunlight. If you like the feeling of cooking in the open air, you’ll need some sort of task lighting, especially when preparing food after dark.

Despite all the variable conditions in the outdoor kitchen, adding lights to specifically illuminate your countertops will ensure you’ll always have adequate task lighting. The lights will come in handy when you grill meat or veggies, allowing you to check that they’re fully cooked before serving. Under cabinet lights help you see when mixing and pouring drinks, and fixing snacks as well. Having extra task lights will also help you see to thoroughly clean your outdoor kitchen, so leftover crumbs won’t attract unwanted pests.

Not to mention good task lighting adds a lovely ambiance to an outdoor space after dark. Continue reading »

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How To Install Plug-In Under Cabinet Lights In 7 Easy Steps

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May 312013
 
PinExt How To Install Plug In Under Cabinet Lights In 7 Easy Steps

Dimmable Under Cabinet Lighting 224x300 How To Install Plug In Under Cabinet Lights In 7 Easy Steps
DIY-ers lend me your ears!

When choosing under cabinet lights, plug-in fixtures are a great option. They offer high quality light, but don’t require such an involved installation like hardwired lights.

If you’re looking to update your kitchen with some plug-in under cabinet lights, just follow these easy instructions to have them up and running in no time. These 7 easy steps are applicable to linear and puck under cabinet lights of any light source. (To learn more about which lights will work best in your kitchen, check out this article).

Tools you’ll need:

  • Drill with keyhole saw
  • Screwdrivers
  • Wirestrippers
  • Electrical tape and wirenuts, or direct connectors
  • Lamp cord
  • Pressure connectors

Continue reading »

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How To Hardwire Under Cabinet Lights

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May 242013
 
PinExt How To Hardwire Under Cabinet Lights

Microfluorescent Under Cabinets and Over Sink 300x220 How To Hardwire Under Cabinet Lights
The most convenient way to operate under cabinet lights in the kitchen is to hardwire them to a wall switch. You can turn the lights on and off, and even dim them without having messy wires and plugs in your cooking space. However, when it comes to installation, hard-wiring your lights is probably the most involved process. If you’re searching for advice on how to hardwire under cabinet lights, read on for step-by-step instructions.

After you choose your lights, you’ll first need to prepare for installation:

1. Consult with an expert before you start. A professional electrical contractor in your geographical area will be able to advise you regarding any electrical details that you might have questions about, and  make certain that you’re satisfying all of the appropriate electrical codes.

2. Plan for the wiring. Where do you want your light switch to be? Close to the cabinets? Alongside the rest of your kitchen lighting controls? Determining this will help you know how much wiring you need. The electrical wiring runs within the wall and loops from one fixture to the next.

3. Position your under cabinet lights. For even lighting, we suggest you use linear lights along the length of your cabinets, or puck lights every 6-10 inches. For the best task lighting along your counters, we also recommend you place the lights close to the front of the cabinet. Finally, make sure your corner cabinet lighting is balanced to cover the area evenly, not causing shadows.

4. Gather the tools and mounting hardware. Most under cabinet fixtures come with a pack of appropriate hardware to use for installation. This includes screws that won’t penetrate the bottom shelves of your cabinets. Cable bushing and wire connectors of the right size are necessary for proper installation. You’ll also need the following tools: Continue reading »

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The Magic Of Color-Changing Kitchen Lights

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May 172013
 
PinExt The Magic Of Color Changing Kitchen Lights

Here’s a daring alternative to normal kitchen lighting: Instead of traditional accent lights that only emit white light, use kitchen lights that can change color.

Color-changing LED tape lights have the perfect linear, low-profile design to be great under cabinet lights, toe-kick lights, or cove lighting. But instead of shining with just white light, they can emit light in 16 different colors. Imagine, being able to change the entire look and feel of your kitchen in seconds. You can tailor the space to any occasion, from family game nights to big holiday parties, from early morning baking frenzies to a couple’s night in.

Can you pull off this dramatic feature in your kitchen? To help you find out, I’ve whipped up a few different “color recipes” explaining how each color can transform it into something new.

Green: Get Energized At Your Tranquil Health Club

Comfortable Home Design Green Over Cabinet Lights The Magic Of Color Changing Kitchen Lights

Image via ComfortableHomeDesign.com

Green is a clean, comforting color. Physiologically, green can be good for your heart, it can help you relax your muscles and breathe deeper and slower. Set your lights to an emerald hue for the afternoon, and suddenly, you’ll feel in just the right mood to have a cool glass of water and a piece of fruit. It’s the perfect scheme to use after a long workout or spending time outdoors too. Continue reading »

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Choosing Energy-Saving Under Cabinet Lights

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May 152013
 
PinExt Choosing Energy Saving Under Cabinet Lights

 

Kitchen renovation in the works? When updating your kitchen with energy-efficiency in mind, be sure to look to the lights. Efficient under cabinet or under counter lights are extremely effective at cutting down your energy use, without sacrificing style or quality.

Here’s a list of some of our favorite under cabinet lights, what makes them energy-efficient, and what makes them great for the kitchen:

LEDs

1. LED Thin Under Cabinet Task Lights

LED Under Cabinet Choosing Energy Saving Under Cabinet Lights

These classic ENERGY STAR qualified LED lights can produce nearly 36 lumens of light for every watt of energy they use, depending on the length of the fixture. They also have a rated-life of up to 50,000 hours, so you know they’re reliable. These lights will fit in with the decor of almost any kitchen, producing bright white light, and available in 2 different finishes. See them here. Continue reading »

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11 Beautiful Photos Of Under Cabinet Lighting

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May 082013
 
PinExt 11 Beautiful Photos Of Under Cabinet Lighting

 

Taking your kitchen from dim and dull to bright and beautiful is no small task. While experts agree lighting is one of the most important design features in any room, it might not be so easy to create your perfect kitchen lighting scheme flying solo.

A stylish, functional kitchen needs to have overhead/ambient lighting, accent lighting, and of course task or under cabinet lights.

If you’re still in the dark about what lighting scheme will work best in your kitchen, check out these 11 amazing photos for a little inspiration:

1. Microfluorescent Under Cabinet Lights

Microfluorescent Under Cabinets and Over Sink 11 Beautiful Photos Of Under Cabinet Lighting

 The microfluorescent fixtures under the cabinets in this kitchen provide bright white light, adding to the space’s ultramodern feel.

2. LED Puck Lights

Puck Lights In Kitchen 11 Beautiful Photos Of Under Cabinet Lighting

These bright LED puck lights add pops of much needed illumination in the main work areas of this contemporary white kitchen. To find out how many puck lights you need in your kitchen, check out this helpful article.

3. LED Motion Sensor Lights

Motion Sensor Under Cabinet Lights 11 Beautiful Photos Of Under Cabinet Lighting

If you prefer your task lighting quick, easy, and automatic, battery operated LED motion sensing lights will turn on only when you need them.  Continue reading »

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What is Under Counter Lighting?

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Apr 182013
 
PinExt What is Under Counter Lighting?

LED Under Cabinet Lighting Vertical 160x300 What is Under Counter Lighting?
Just in case you’re wondering, under cabinet lights are known by a whole bundle of different names. Besides the name “under cabinet lighting,” which makes a lot of sense because they’re the lights you install under your cabinets, they’re also called undermount lights, task lighting fixtures, kitchen under cabinet lights, and under cupboard lighting.

But, the name that has caused the most head-scratching here at Pegasus Lighting is “under counter lights.” Most everyone understands that under cabinet lighting and under counter lighting are different names for the same thing, but when you really think, it doesn’t make much sense.

Under counter lights are always installed over the counter, but they’re not called “over counter lights.” If I didn’t know better, I might picture small accent lights below the lip of a counter. Or even better, backlighting under translucent counters, making them glow. Though now that I think about it, that might actually be cool. Why don’t we call those under counter lights? Continue reading »

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How To Install Recessed Puck Lights In 8 Easy Steps

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Apr 052013
 
PinExt How To Install Recessed Puck Lights In 8 Easy Steps

Puck Lights PALPX 300x191 How To Install Recessed Puck Lights In 8 Easy Steps
Recessed puck lights are a simple, attractive light source for task lighting and accent lighting. If you’re ready to use puck lights to illuminate your cabinets or shelves, just follow these tips to create the perfect lighting scheme!

1. Pick Your Pucks.

Do you prefer plug-in, hard-wire, or battery operated lights? LED, xenon, or fluorescent? Low voltage or line voltage? What color temperature works best with your decor? You can browse our full selection of puck lights here.

2. Decide How Many Puck Lights You’ll Need. 

This will depend on how you want to use them. For even under cabinet lighting or bookshelf lighting, use one light for every 6-10 inches of space. For display lighting, position one light above every item you wish to showcase.

3. Determine How To Place Your Lights. 

For even lighting, follow the 6-10 inch rule. We recommend you install the lights closer to the front of the cabinets or shelves. This will provide the brightest illumination, especially important for task lighting. For accent lighting, the placement is more arbitrary. What makes your display look best?

4. Test Them Out.

Before you whip out the power tools, test out your placement by taping the puck lights in place. You can even turn them on to see how the final lighting scheme will appear. Make adjustments as you see fit. When you’re happy with what you see, take a pencil and trace each light. Continue reading »

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Product Spotlight: LED Tape Lights

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Mar 282013
 
PinExt Product Spotlight: LED Tape Lights

Waterproof Reel 300x300 Product Spotlight: LED Tape Lights
LED tape lights are one of the handiest fixtures around. By themselves, the lights look old-fashioned and futuristic at the same time – stored in rolls reminiscent of vintage film reels, featuring space-age looking LED lights. But, once you install LED tape lights, they’ll bring your space to life unlike any other light fixture.

What Makes The LED Tape Light So Wonderful?

LED tape lights (also sometimes called LED ribbons) have a ton of special features that other fixtures just can’t measure up to:

  • The strong adhesive backing on every reel will stick to almost any surface with ease.
  • You can’t find a thinner, lower profile light strip on the market.
  • The trimmable fields allow you to tailor the length of your tape lights, fitting the specific requirements of your project.
  • Their dimming capabilities (when powered by dimmable drivers) let you customize your space’s light levels, no hassle.
  • Many are wet location listed, so you can have great lighting indoors and out.
  • You can choose between warm white, cool white, colored, and color-changing varieties.

On top of all that, LED tape lights have a 50,000 hour rated-life, and because they’re LEDs, you know they’re going to save you energy.

Colored LED Tape Lights 1024x581 Product Spotlight: LED Tape Lights Continue reading »

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“How Many Puck Lights Do I Need?”

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Mar 082013
 
PinExt How Many Puck Lights Do I Need?

xenon puck light How Many Puck Lights Do I Need?
Puck lights, which get their name from their hockey puck-like shape, are one of the most versatile light fixtures around. They fit almost anywhere and can function as under cabinet task lighting, display lighting, and even safety lighting.

If you’re still in the dark about how many puck lights you need for your next lighting project, just follow these guidelines.

First, determine what you’re going to use your puck lighting to illuminate.

For even lighting under cabinets or along bookshelves…

Puck Lights PALPX How Many Puck Lights Do I Need?

We recommend using 1 puck light for every 6-10 inches of cabinet or shelf space. If you’re lighting 11-18 inches of space, use 2-3 puck lights. For 19-26 inches, you’ll need 3-4 puck lights. For 27-34 inches, 4-5 puck lights. For 35-42 inches, 5-7 puck lights. For 43-50 inches, 6-8 puck lights, and so on. Just measure your space and divide it up accordingly! Continue reading »

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