Brighten Custom Wood Cabinet Designs With Lighting Options

Date: 2008-11-19 17:45:27

By Christine Harrell

Lighting can be added to custom wood cabinet designs to create an entirely new and highly designer look. Decorative cabinets such as curio units need a solution that will show the items off nicely without overpowering the trinkets they display. Functional systems such as kitchen cupboards have to have fixtures that chase away the shadows and are easy to use. Sometimes, you need a fixture that does both, like with a mirrored bathroom design. Several different varieties are now available to match your tastes while brightening up what you want them to.

Recessed Custom Wood Cabinet Styles

Recessed or pot lighting is great for cabinets that call for hidden lighting or contemporary styles. These sink directly into the walls or ceilings of the unit to sit flush or slightly farther than the surface. Many people enjoy these because they don't take up additional space inside the cabinet. While these fixtures generally come in one style in a range of colors, you do have options for light sources such as fluorescent bulbs or halogen varieties. The type you choose will depend on the amount of use it will get and its function.

Puck Lights For Cabinets

As the name suggests, these are similar in design to an illuminated hockey puck although some are now available in squares and triangles. They are mounted in the center under the structure or in the center on the inside of the custom wood cabinet giving you partial illumination. These often feature halogen bulbs for maximum light to make seeing what you need effortless. Battery operated stick on styles are available. However, you might want to stay away from these as a permanent solution. They become expensive when it comes to batteries and will stop sticking with moisture when used in bathrooms or kitchens.

Rope Lighting

For valences and decorative shelving, many people select rope style fixtures for their cabinets. LED styles give you a string of continuous light. They are very inexpensive and are one of the most energy efficient styles on the market. Like stick on puck styles, however, they are a 'disposable' lighting style so you want to keep that in mind when you purchase them. Their illumination is also very hard to control since they give off light all the way around. They also have the added problem of sometimes being too bright.

Linear Fixtures

Similar to a rope style the first time you see them, this style actually gives your custom wood cabinet the added benefit of better control and lamp replacement. You have the option of using LED, fluorescent, incandescent, or xenon so you can customize the look, feel, and cost of your lighting solution. They have a far longer lifespan and still set up easily.

Lighting is an important part of custom wood cabinet design. They can make the space warmer and welcoming, shed brightness where it is needed most. Lastly, fixtures can compliment your design for the ultimate in convenience.


Author

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information on Custom
Wood Cabinets or Wisconsin
Kitchen Remodeling, visit http://www.valleycabinetinc.com/.. This articles came from MoreArticles.net.


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