Stylish 4 Foot LED Kitchen Lighting Fixtures

With energy costs and environmental impact top of mind for many homeowners,LED lighting is an elegant and eco-friendly solution. Advances in technology now allow LED fixtures to emit bright, uniform light at a fraction of the energy usage of older halogen or fluorescent options. Their slim profiles and customizable features also enable LEDs to elevate kitchen design aesthetics for a fraction of a full remodel cost.

We'll review top considerations from light quality to placement, provide buying recommendations across fixture types and budgets, detail DIY installation steps, and troubleshoot common issues you may encounter.

Benefits of 4ft LED Kitchen Light Fixtures

Compared to dated compact fluorescent lights (CFL) or halogen fixtures, 4 foot LED options offer unmatched advantages:

• Stylish and Contemporary Design: Sleek metallic or white fixtures with minimized bulk perfectly fit modern and transitional kitchen decors.
• Significant Energy Savings: LEDs consume 50-80% less wattage than incandescent for the same brightness. This efficiency converts to lower electricity bills.
• Long 25,000+ Hour Lifespan: The 25+ year lifespan based on 3 hour daily use eliminates frequent bulb replacements.
• Bright, Uniform Lighting: LEDs provide consistent, flicker-free illumination perfect for food prep, cooking, and cleaning tasks.
• Cool Operation: Unlike hot halogen bulbs, LEDs reduce fire risk and keep kitchen spaces cooler.

Ideal Placement of 4ft LED Fixtures

Proper LED fixture placement amplifies lighting functionality in kitchens. Mount 4 foot LED light bars or panels:

• Centered over the main kitchen sink, stove, and countertops where most meal preparation takes place.
• In layers, with undercabinet lighting to illuminate countertops paired with overhead ceiling fixtures that bathe the overall kitchen.
• At minimum 2 feet away from corners or walls for proper ventilation and cooling around fixtures.

Factors to Consider When Picking Kitchen LED Lights

Keep the following LED-specific factors in mind when selecting fixtures:

Desired Brightness and Color Temperature

Brighter 4ft LED fixtures ranging from 3000-5000 lumens suit large kitchens while less intense 1600-2000 lumen models often sufficiently light smaller galley kitchens. Consider light color too - cooler blue-toned LEDs energize spaces while warmer 3000K options provide calming ambiance.

Dimmable vs Non-Dimmable Needs

If flexibility in setting mood lighting appeals, choose dimmable fixtures compatible with standard wall dimmers, ELV/ALV systems, or even smart lighting technology like Bluetooth mesh networks. This enables easy control from bright task lighting to dimmer ambiance.

Budget for Fixtures and Professional Install

Basic 4ft LED fixtures cost between $50 to $200+ depending on durability, special features like smart controls or motion activation, and designer styles. Factor in electrician fees if uncomfortable DIY installing kitchen wiring and circuits.

Reviews: Top-Rated 4ft LED Fixtures to Light Up Kitchens

1. Flush Mount or Pendant Lights

These fixtures mount directly to kitchen ceilings, some with additional rods for hanging pendant-style over islands and tables. They concentrate illumination exactly where needed most.

• Tomons - Affordable Flush Semi-flush LED Ceiling Light, $35
• Globe Electric - 4ft LED Linear Pendant Light, $130
• Cocoweb - 4ft LED Rectangle Bar Light with Remote, $56

2. Caged Tube Style Lights

Industrial cage fixtures protect exposed LED tubes or bulbs, lending vintage urban loft character to contemporary kitchens.

• Hykolity - 4ft LED Shop Light, Garage Light, $64
• Keith Chain - 4ft LED T8 Tube Light Fixture, $90
• Commercial Electric - 4ft Utility LED Wraparound Light, $54

3. Under Cabinet LED Light Bars

Mounted under kitchen cabinets and shelves, these strip fixtures directly brighten countertop task areas.

• Wobane - 16ft Under Cabinet LED Lights, $37
• Xenio - Battery Operated Under Cabinet LED Lighting, $49
• Mr Beams - UltraBright Motion-Sensing Under Cabinet Lights $23

4. Waterproof LED Light Strips

Moisture resistant strips mount over sinks safely illuminating cleanup while adding a modern glow.

• Lifx - WiFi Smart 32ft LED Light Strip, $80
• Eve - Weatherproof LED Light Strip, $80
• Philips - Hue LED Smart LightStrip Plus, $80

5. Smart LED Fixtures

Next gen options connect to smartphones and voice assistants for total lighting control.

• Philips - Hue 4ft Bluetooth Smart LED Fixture, $144
• C by GE - 4ft Smart LED Fixture, Works with Alexa, $100
• First Light Technologies - Cleo Smart LED Light Bar, $169

Step-By-Step Installation Guide for DIYers

Upgrading old 4 foot fluorescent or incandescent fixtures with new energy efficient and stylish LED lighting greatly brightens kitchen spaces. Follow these steps for safe DIY installation:

1. Switch Off Electrical Circuits - Locate the circuit breaker or fuse powering old lighting and switch off electricity for safety.
2. Remove Existing Fixture - Unscrew any casing trim, carefully detach wires, and remove the dated fixture from mounting base.
3. LED Compatibility - Verify new LED electrical requirements are compatible with wiring and voltage to prevent blowout.
4. Connect Wires - Attach fixture wires to supply wires with provided wire nuts matching polarity. Connect grounding wire to grounding screw or wire.
5. Mount LED Fixture - Carefully align new LED flush or pendant light to ceiling base, inserting screws to firmly secure.
6. Restore Power & Test - Return power at circuit breakers and test new LED kitchen lighting for proper functioning.

Troubleshooting Common 4ft LED Lighting Issues

While LED technology proves more reliable than older lighting, the occasional hiccup may still occur. Troubleshoot common 4ft kitchen LED fixture problems with these tips:

Flickering Lights

If new fixtures inexplicably flicker, a loose bulb or electrical wiring issue likely causes the problem. Tighten lightbulb bases and ensure wires are firmly secured with protective caps on all exposed metal wiring.

Buzzing Sounds from Fixture

Annoying buzzing or humming often indicates a faulty LED driver or ballast attempting to regulate too much or too little power. Replace defective part or entire fixture to quiet annoying noise.