Kitchen light for your kitchen

When only central lighting is placed in the kitchen, then standing at the table, you inevitably close the access of light to the work surface. Of course, when he is in the center of the kitchen, it may not be so noticeable. However, sometimes even this arrangement of the table does not help. Anyway, even if the desk needs extra lighting with a table lamp, how much more is this kind of lighting for the kitchen. But there are other rules in the kitchen, and the table lamp will not solve the problem.

How to make a backlight?

There are several options for solving the lighting problem in the kitchen. Let's name some:

• a light-emitting diode tape( in a profile or without it);
• luminaires of oblong shape;
• spot lights, single or kits, mortise and overhead;
• sets of lamps for lighting kitchen showcases and glass shelves.

Some kinds of furniture fixtures simply screw to the bottom of the kitchen cabinet and connect it to a power outlet.

Recessed spotlights are designed, as the name suggests, for inserting into specially punched holes in furniture. Such lamps are provided for when designing furniture, in advance.

The installation of overhead spotlights is not so complicated. To connect overhead lights, additional electrical wiring is required. The lighting is connected via a transformer.

Thus, it is quite possible to make the lighting of the kitchen by yourself. Have the skills to work with electricity is not for all options necessary. If you want to carry out the lighting yourself using an LED strip, you need to have the skills of an electrical installer. Tools that you might need: a screwdriver, a tape measure, a hammer, a screwdriver, a soldering iron.

Preparing for operation

Before proceeding to the practical side of the case, it is desirable to draw a layout plan of the kitchen, a top view( sometimes a front plan is also needed).In terms of, note the available lighting, and the one that you plan to do. It is necessary to take into account both the practical side and the design moments. Questions can be of the following nature:

• will prevent the uniform distribution of light relining accessories and other hinged parts of the kitchen;
• where the socket, power supply, switches or remote control will be located;
• will not annoy you the appearance of the LED strip, if it is not hidden in a special profile;
• what color of lighting do you prefer;
• do not forget that color can strongly affect the human emotions;
• if you use different colors of lighting, whether they will be combined with each other and with the overall design of the kitchen.

Most likely, the general lighting of the kitchen you have already installed: a chandelier or spotlights. Which places usually need additional lighting: this is the working part of the countertop, the sink, the stove. It is possible that the oven has already been lit by a backlight mounted in the hood. Some believe that it is convenient to make additional lighting also inside the kitchen cabinets.

After you have decided on the type of lighting and its location, you can start working. Let's consider how to implement in practice some options for highlighting.

LED lighting the kitchen with their own hands

The advantage of LEDs is that they save electricity. Among other things, LEDs have a long service life( with proper use), are resistant to mechanical impact and humidity.

• LED strip purchase. You can buy a ribbon of any color. Although different colors perfectly decorate the kitchen, however, it is not always practical. Many users agreed that the neutral white is best. The LED strip is sold either with a solid strip or with pieces. If you bought a continuous tape, then be careful: according to the rules of the power network, you can not consistently connect the LEDs more than 15 m long. Make sure that the purchased tape has no creases and visible damage.
• Buy a power supply. It is also convenient to use the remote control unit with the controller. An adapter wire must be purchased to the power supply. The voltage of the power supply unit and the tape must match. A higher voltage rating on the power supply as compared with the voltage of the tape will lead to the failure of the latter. The RGB tape is first connected to the controller, and then the controller is connected to the power supply.

• Plug the power supply unit to the controller wires. Secure all soldering points with electrical tape.
• In the wires of the adapter determine where the plus, and where the minus. To do this, connect the adapter to the power supply and check using the indicator.
• Solder the wiring of the adapter to the LED strip, observing the poles. After soldering, wrap the insulating tape around the place of soldering each wire separately, and then together the two wires. Check the performance by connecting the structure to the power supply.
• Degrease the surface to which the tape will be attached. If you degrease the detergent, remove its residues with water and allow the surface to dry. It is desirable to glue the tape at the bottom of the cabinets not near the door( in front), but near the back wall of cabinets. In this case, it is desirable to retreat from the wall( from the junction of the wall and the cabinet) 2-3 cm. Otherwise, if you glue the tape to the wall with a wall, the rays of light on the wall will have a non-decorative appearance.
• Attach the tape to the bottom of the cabinet. For this, two-sided adhesive tape is used, if the purchased LED tape is not self-adhesive. If the tape is self-adhesive, then all that is necessary is to remove the protective strip from the adhesive side. Then apply the tape evenly to the surface. After all the tape is pasted, press down a little.
• For the adapter wire, a hole is drilled in the bottom of the cabinet. The wire of the adapter is shown in the hole. In the cabinet it is convenient to place the power supply unit and the controller, if the supply of power to the cabinet has been done in advance.
• Solder the wires of the adapter and the controller.

LED strip in profile

Experienced electricians do not recommend to glue the tape directly on furniture or on walls. Preferably use a special aluminum profile with a protective screen. The tape is glued into the groove of the profile and covered with a matte or transparent screen.

The advantages of using the profile are that it removes excess heat from heating the LEDs, and the screen dissipates the light. In addition, in the grooves of some profiles, you can hide the wires. Instructions for lighting the work area in the kitchen.

• Measure the mounting location of the profile.
• Cut the profile of the required length with a metal hacksaw.
• Make holes in the base of the profile with a diameter of 3 mm: along the edges of the profile, and if the profile is long, then in the middle.
• Secure the base of the profile to the bottom of the suspended kitchen cupboard using 3 * 16 mm furniture screws. You can use a screwdriver, but if it does not, then the screwdriver and your efforts will help.
• Measure out the required length of the LED strip.
• Cut the tape only in a specially designed place marked with a "scissors" icon.
• Remove the film from the back of the tape and glue it inside the profile.
• Install the protective screen( light diffuser).Close the side profile with plastic plugs.
• Insert the profile into the base fixed on the bottom of the hanging cabinet.

It is possible to have a profile without a base. In this case, fix it to the bottom of the cabinet using double-sided tape.

LED and fluorescent lighting

These lamps are usually sold in furniture stores or shops as furniture fittings. You can choose lamps with suitable parameters for length and power.

Included with the LED lamp is usually already a transformer, connected to the lamp mini-plugs.

All that is necessary for the installation of similar fixtures: a screwdriver and furniture screws. The instruction for the purchased lamps will tell you how they are mounted: to the side walls or to the bottom of the cabinets. This usually depends on the purpose of the luminaire - for outdoor or indoor lighting of the cabinet. A photo of the kitchen with illumination of various lamps gives an idea of ​​possible options for lighting the work area.