Navigating the nuances of kitchen design can be intricate, especially when considering the role of lighting. Collaborating with your local custom kitchen cabinet makers often emphasizes this point. Too little light, and even the most spacious kitchen can seem constricted. Yet, flood the room with excessive brightness, and it loses its warmth. Light rails, subtly introduced, can strike the right balance, ensuring both functionality and ambiance. However, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to speak with professional custom kitchen cabinet makers!
How do you get good lighting?
Your kitchen design and personal preferences will largely dictate the elements of your renovation project. This includes the type, style, size, and number of lighting fixtures you choose. Among the various options, under-cabinet lighting stands out as a prime choice for kitchen illumination.
Understanding Under-Cabinet Lighting
Under-cabinet lights, which often come as LED, fluorescent, halogen, or xenon fixtures, are strategically placed beneath the upper kitchen wall cabinets. Their main purpose is to cast light on countertop work areas and pathways, ensuring functionality without overpowering the entire kitchen's ambiance.
The Challenges with Under-Cabinet Lights
However, these lights aren't without their flaws. Depending on the fixture's style and brightness, the emitted light can sometimes be too intense. For those with dining areas or bars in the kitchen, the fixtures might cast a glaring light directly into one's line of sight. Moreover, if you're tall, you might find the light's glare aligning just below the cabinets, which can be distracting.
The Solution: Kitchen Light Rails
To counter these challenges, there's a simple cabinet design solution. Kitchen light rails, sometimes referred to as bottom or under-cabinet moldings, are wood strips, ranging from 3/4-inch to 1 1/2-inches in height. These can be installed by a professional cabinet maker or refacing specialist along the bottom edges of your upper cabinets. Their primary role? To minimize glare by directing light downward onto countertops and also to provide an aesthetic boost.
Aesthetic and Functional Benefits
Beyond functionality, kitchen light rails also address a common visual concern. Many homeowners dislike the often mismatched colors between the cabinetry's exterior and the unfinished undersides of upper wall cabinets. Light rails conveniently mask these areas, offering a cohesive look to all kitchen cabinetry.
Varieties in Light Rail Designs
There's a plethora of choices when it comes to light rail moldings. They come in various wood types, finishes, and designs. From eased, reversed beveled, cove, to ogee and beaded styles, there's a design for every aesthetic. For those seeking an added flair, custom light rails featuring decorative inset strips, like egg-and-dart or Grecian key patterns, can be chosen. Given that kitchen light rails are essentially wood strips, even the most ornate designs are cost-effective and quick to install.
Where can I find experienced custom kitchen cabinet makers in the area?
Thanks to our long-standing experience and numerous projects, we can craft a space that's not only aesthetically pleasing but also functionally luminous. It's this harmonious blend that turns a kitchen from just another room into the heart of a home. Get in touch with us at 866-339-9099 and ask for a design consultation or any concerns about the process. It's free, simple, and informative.
