Bright LED Lighting Over Your Kitchen Sink

Having ample lighting over the kitchen sink is crucial for prepping ingredients, washing dishes, and other important kitchen tasks. Traditionally, basic fluorescent or incandescent lights sufficed. But with modern LED lighting, you can transform that space into a brightly lit, stylish accent area. Read on to learn the benefits of installing LED lights over your kitchen sink and how to choose the perfect fixture.

Benefits of Installing LED Lights Over Your Kitchen Sink

LED lights offer many advantages over traditional lighting options for over kitchen sink applications. Here are some of the top benefits:

• Brighter Illumination - LEDs provide very focused, bright light directly where you need it most. No more squinting or moving dishes around to see better.
• Energy Efficiency - LED lights use a fraction of the energy of incandescents or fluorescents, saving you money on electricity costs.
• Long Lifespan - An LED light can last up to 50,000 hours compared to 1,000 for an incandescent. That means decades of use without replacing bulbs.
• Cooler Operation - LEDs give off much less heat than other light types, keeping your kitchen cooler.

The focused beam of an LED downlight or pendant light provides ample illumination right where you need it most. As you wash dishes, prep ingredients, or complete other tasks, your eyes will thank you for the bright, comfortable lighting. And you'll love the energy savings and long lifespan of LEDs.

More Energy Efficient Kitchen Lighting

Older lighting like incandescents and halogens are notoriously energy inefficient. A significant portion of their energy usage turns into heat rather than light. Fluorescents fare a bit better, but LEDs are in a class of their own when it comes to efficiency.

LED kitchen sink lights use at least 75% less energy than incandescent bulbs. And they can last over 20 years with average daily use. That adds up to huge savings on your electricity bill and fewer bulb replacements over time.

Improved Visibility for Kitchen Tasks

Good lighting is crucial for kitchen tasks like safely handling knives when chopping vegetables, reading recipe instructions, or seeing if dishes are fully clean and spotless. Glary, weak lights that cause shadows make your kitchen work much harder.

LEDs shine light exactly where you need it with no glare or harsh shadows. Their brightness enhances visibility so you can work quickly, safely, and accurately. No more squinting or constantly moving things around to see better.

Less Heat Output Keeps Your Kitchen Cooler

Incandescent and halogen bulbs get hot enough to burn your fingers. All that heat emitted makes the kitchen uncomfortably warm, especially in summer. Fluorescents run cooler but still warm up as they operate.

In contrast, LED lights produce very little radiant heat. They use their energy to produce light, not heat. With LED kitchen lighting, you'll help keep the room cooler so you stay comfortable as you cook and clean.

Choosing the Best LED Kitchen Sink Lighting

With so many LED lighting options available today, choosing the right fixture comes down to a few key factors:

• Light Color - Select warm white, cool white, or daylight depending on your preference.
• Brightness Level - Measure your space and select enough lumens to properly illuminate the sink and counters.
• Size and Shape - Consider the size of your sink and kitchen to pick the right shaped fixture.
• Special Features - Look for dimmable, motion-sensing, or moisture-resistant features.

Picking the Right Light Color for Your Kitchen

LED lights come in different light color temperatures measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The most common options are:

• Warm White - 2700K to 3500K - Provides a cozy, relaxed ambiance.
• Cool White - 3500K to 4100K - Closer to daylight; stimulates energy and alertness.
• Daylight - 5000K to 6500K - The closest to natural daylight; best for working.

Consider when you use your kitchen most to pick the best color. Do you cook and bake more in the mornings? Cool white LEDs can provide an energizing boost. Is evening cooking and cleaning more common? Warm white lights create a calming mood.

LED Brightness Level - Selecting the Right Lumens

Lumens indicate the total amount of light emitted from a bulb or fixture. More lumens equal greater brightness. Over kitchen sinks, you'll typically want at least 600 to 900 lumens.

Measure the sink area's square footage and multiply by 10 to 15 to estimate your ideal minimum lumens. This ensures you have plentiful, non-straining light for prep work and cleaning.

Size, Shape, and Fixture Style Options

Consider your kitchen's size, cabinetry, decor style, and sink dimensions when selecting LED fixtures. Focused LED lights less than 5 inches wide work well over smaller sinks. Larger or double sinks benefit from LED pendants or light bars ranging from 6 to 24 inches wide.

Match the fixtures finish to your faucet and cabinet hardware for a cohesive look. Low profile rectangular LED bars orstrips add modern flair. Round pendants work with traditional kitchens. Check that the fixture shape dispers

Special Features to Look For

Here are some useful features to look for when shopping kitchen sink LED lights:

• Dimmable - Lets you adjust the light brightness as needed.
• Motion Sensing - The light turns on automatically when it detects movement nearby.
• Moisture Resistant - Protects the light from humidity and splashing water.
• Timer - Turns the light off automatically after a set time.

Smart LED options let you control and program the lights from your smartphone. This adds convenience for turning them on before entering a dark kitchen.

Ideal Placement of LED Lights Over the Kitchen Sink

Proper placement ensures your new LED kitchen sink lighting provides maximum illumination. Follow these guidelines for ideal positioning:

• Mount the Light Centered Over the Sink - This puts the light's beam where you need it most.
• Install Under Cabinets or on the Wall - Securing the fixtures to the cabinet bottom or wall provides stability.
• Position Lights Below Eye Level - Around 60 inches high suits most people best.
• Avoid Mounting Lights Directly Over Cooking Areas - Keep lights at least 24 inches from the range or cooktop.

Centering the LED Light Over the Sink

An LED strip or pendant fixture centered over the sink directs the maximum amount of light on the area below. This provides the illumination you need for rinsing, scrubbing, food prep, and other tasks.

Take measurements to find the sink's center point. Mark this spot on the cabinet bottom or wall to install the light. Allow several inches leeway if you have a faucet or backsplash that may obstruct the light.

Mounting Options - Under Cabinets or on Walls

Most over sink LED lights attach using screws or adhesive directly to the surface. Under cabinet installation takes advantage of the existing infrastructure and keeps the fixtures out of sight when not in use.

Wall mounting gives you more freedom on placement. Pay attention to any electrical junction boxes, pipes, or windows that may impact the ideal installation location.

Mounting the kitchen sink light 60 to 72 inches above the floor puts the fixture just below the average adult's eye level. This lighting angle minimizes glare and shadows so you can see clearly without straining your eyes or neck.