LED lighting for the kitchen - correct installation under cabinets

The kitchen is one of the most important rooms in the house. People spend a lot of time on it: they cook, eat, read a newspaper over a cup of coffee, etc. special attention... Backlight working area in the kitchen requires a carefully thought-out approach. Places like the car wash cooking stove, countertop, most often remain in the shade. This is mainly due to the fact that there are wall cabinets, an extractor hood above them, which leads to some discomfort during use. The solution to the problem is quite simple - beautiful light diode backlight working area of the kitchen.

Common types of lighting

Choosing a backlight for the working area in the kitchen

In order to correctly position lighting, you need to familiarize yourself with some of the nuances. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the tiered location. As a rule, there are 5 levels in the kitchen:

The first level is ceiling. Both pendant chandeliers and various compositions from spotlights... Their location should take into account certain and working. For the first option, chandeliers are ideal. They will add harmony and comfort to the kitchen space. And for the work area, spotlights are good, which will cope well enough with lighting.
Second level - upper zone wall cabinets... If there is a special cornice in the furniture design, then ideal option installation of spots will become, you can also use rotary lamps. Their advantage is mobility, if necessary, such devices are deployed in a certain direction. This is what makes it possible to qualitatively illuminate that part of the working area that is needed at the moment.
The third level is the lower part of the cabinets. Here, the illumination of the working area in the kitchen can be varied. These are LED strips, fluorescent lamps, spots, etc. As a rule, in this matter, they are guided only by personal preferences.
The fourth level is the table top. For this part of the working area, only waterproof LED strips are suitable.
The fifth level is gender. The lower part of the tables is decorated in the same way as the table top.

It should be noted that the LED strip is ideal for installation at all levels.

What are the backlight options?

The most effective solutions:

Examples of decorating a kitchen using LED lighting

Skinali is the most common and successful option.
Complex ceiling structure in several levels with installed LED lamps of different luminescence.
Combination of light sources such as chandeliers, spotlights and LED strip.
The effect of floating furniture is achieved by installing special lighting on the lower part of the tables.
It is recommended to additionally install light sources near glass and mirror inserts. This will not only decorate the space, but also visually increase its size.
Kitchen illumination of the countertop and work area with lamps and LED strips.
The ideal option would be to distribute the sources in parallel, for example at the top and bottom levels of the cabinets.
In the case of a glass top, you can use LED strip a certain color... Combined with skinny, the effect will be overwhelming.

In fact, there are much more such options, the use of LEDs for backlighting kitchen space allows extensive use of imagination and experimentation.

How are LEDs arranged? How they work

LEDs are semiconductors and emit light when connected to electricity. Depending on the chemical composition its brightness and saturation change. Do not connect directly to the network, as this will lead to overheating and the LED will burn out. It is recommended to use a special device that stabilizes the voltage in the network - a stabilizer. LEDs come in infrared, ultraviolet, yellow, white and other colors. They differ among themselves in the type of glow, size and number of crystals.

LED backlighting: advantages

Significant energy savings.
Resistance to mechanical damage.
The LED illumination of the working area in the kitchen has a varied palette of colors.
Environmental Safety.
There are models with elevated level moisture protection.
Long service life: 15-20 years.
Bright but soft light.
Affordable price.

Countertop lighting

When equipping the kitchen, it is important to fully illuminate the countertop section, since it is here that a lot of things need to be done. However, when choosing devices, it is worth considering the specificity of its location. The tabletop is constantly exposed to water, grease, soot and other dirt. Therefore, it is very important to choose LED strips with specific technical characteristics. There are models that have a special layer, it is he who will protect the lamp from moisture, vaporization and pollution.

There are several types of LED backlight mounting. The most common:

In order for the working area in the kitchen to please the owners for a long time, when installing it, you must follow the following rules:

The power of the tape and the power supply must be the same.
It is better to connect the contacts with a soldering iron.
Cutting the tape is allowed only in the place with signed contacts "+/-".
It is recommended to install a dimmer for dimming.
When connecting the tape, the contacts must be completely insulated, that is, they must not touch each other at all.

Illumination of the working area in the kitchen: installing the tape

The measurements are taken using a tape measure.
The required length is cut on the tape with a margin of 1-1.5 cm to free the contacts.
Before gluing, the surface must be completely degreased.
Sections of cable are soldered to the contacts, after which they are connected to the power supply.
It is necessary to install a profile and a special box in which the rest of the wires will be hidden.
A switch is installed and connected to the LED strip.

The efficiency, versatility and durability of such a backlight brings it to the leading position. However, it also has a weak point - the power supply. It is worth noting that it breaks down quite often, so it must be installed in the place where it will be enough to simply replace it with a new one or make repairs.

The design of any room includes high-quality lighting. The kitchen is no exception. If you distribute the light fluxes correctly and conveniently, then cooking in such a kitchen will be a joy. To achieve this, lighting must be designed and calculated. Modern kitchen interiors are increasingly in recent times include the insertion of diode strips.

LEDs are semiconductors that emit light when electrical energy is passed through them. They come in different chemical compositions, due to which they have varying degrees brightness. The LED strip in the kitchen is never directly mounted, as this can cause overheating and breakdown. Stabilizer - required condition connecting diodes.

Advantages and disadvantages of LED backlighting (table)

+	-
First of all, it is worth noting the service life. On average, this is 50 thousand hours	The cost of good LED bulbs will be quite high
If we compare LED backlighting with other light sources, then the former consume much less energy.	Warm white light bulbs can interfere with color rendering. in addition, such lighting can be very tired of the eyes
Mechanical damage and temperature drops they are not afraid because they do not contain filament and glass bulb	LED lighting is most often not used as the main, but only as an application, decorative element adjacent to the main
LEDs are manufactured for any voltage, there is no need to use ballast reserves	To install such lighting, you need a power source (LED driver), which, by the way, has a strong influence on the cost of such lighting. In addition to the fact that its acquisition is simply necessary, it also needs to be hidden from the eyes.
High luminous efficacy	The chemical and physical parameters of reflective crystals degrade over time, and the lamp begins to fade.
Wide range of colors. LEDs can be, for example, white, red, orange, green, blue, magenta or yellow flowers... And then there are ultraviolet and infrared spectra of LEDs. There is a cold and warm light transmission
Brightness can be adjusted
Work, no matter what temperature regime in room. LEDs are compact and flexible modules that can be used to bring almost any lighting idea to life
LEDs can be installed at different angles of radiation
They are safe and environmentally friendly
Work no matter what the room temperature is

Why are diodes convenient in the kitchen?

Diodes can be used to zone various elements of the room, to highlight cabinets, niches and shelves.
Highlight decorative elements.
If you highlight them kitchen apron, especially glass, it will look very impressive.
They can highlight stained glass.
If you illuminate the bottom of the bedside tables with them, then, in this way, the effect of furniture, as if frozen in the air, will be created.
If your ceiling is made in several levels, then each of these levels can also be highlighted, which will create a beautiful view.
If you highlight the bar counter, you will create the effect of a real bar.

Thus, it turns out that the use of LED lighting in the kitchen will create a cozy and attractive atmosphere in kitchen area... While the cost of this kind of lighting can be a pretty penny, it will soon pay off in that there will be big savings on electricity.

Classic interiors are most often illuminated in warm colors, while high-tech style involves the use of cold lighting.

Photo Gallery: LED Kitchen Lighting

Illumination of cabinets from above Illumination of the working area Illumination of shelves Illuminated bar counter "Floating" furniture
Color options that LED backlighting can have

How to choose an LED strip

SMD LEDs are used when mounting diode lighting. They are divided into types:

To purchase the LED strip you need, you need to clearly understand what kind of lighting you would like to see as a result. There are a couple of recommendations for this:

To illuminate the area where you are cooking or dining and make it bright and even enough light, it is recommended to use a 50x50 three-crystal SMD tape.
To carry out decorative illumination of the headset, a strip with diodes in one crystal 35x28 in size is enough

Power supply selection

Power supply option

Power supplies can be of different wattage and therefore size. The main thing when choosing a unit is to determine the power of the transformer, which should work with a margin, but not very large. Let's look at an example of a calculation with certain parameters, so that it is easier for you to calculate the power that is right for you. It is necessary to calculate the power of the block for an SMD 5050 tape 5 meters long, the power of which is 12 W:

12 (W) * 5 (m) = 60 W
1.25 (margin of safety) * 60 = 75 W.
75 W is the power of the transformer, which is needed in this case.

How to light up a countertop, dining area

In order to illuminate the work area, as mentioned earlier, you can use LEDs with an average level of protection against moisture. This is enough to protect the elements from the effects of steam, dirt and other things. These lamps can even be damp cleaned.

A special aluminum profile is attached to the table, thus the tape is attached to the table surface. The profile is needed to hide the wires and give elasticity to the light. There are also self-adhesive tapes.

Using additional devices, you can make a backlight that changes brightness and / or color.
To light up your desktop, it is ideal to use a warm white... Such lighting accurately conveys the true color of the food.

The use of LEDs as additional illumination also requires moisture protection. Medium enough. The tapes are installed using double-sided tape.

Installation tools

12W LED strip
Electric cable, the cross-section of which is 0.74 mm 2
Transformer
Soldering iron with solder and rosin
Insulating tape
In some cases it is necessary to use a drill
Scissors
PVC corner or aluminum profile used to mount the LED
2-sided tape
Sometimes the use of electrical mounting brackets is provided.

How to install the tape yourself

Before fixing the tape, the surface must be well cleaned and degreased!
Do not press the tape too tightly at once, so that later it will be possible to trim it in case of uneven gluing.

Connecting a diode strip of the same color with a dimmer

The dimmer regulates, that is, decreases or increases the brightness of the diode strip. In addition, he turns on and off this very diode tape.

Currently, there are two types of dimmers:

One color tape is controlled from the remote control.
The control of the tape with one color is carried out using a potentiometer (switch, a conventional rotary for incandescent lamps)

Both of the above options are connected according to the same scheme.

Video: How to make LED lighting for the kitchen working area yourself

LED lighting is a big breakthrough in area lighting. They will perfectly complement your interior and will serve you well. Their variety will allow you to choose exactly the one you would like. Durability will give you a chance to save more finances than you would spend on purchasing them. And fixing them on your own will not be difficult, and they will delight you for a very long time. Light and good luck to you!

It is difficult to overestimate the importance of proper lighting of the working area in the kitchen. Directional and bright light output makes cooking more comfortable. And one of best options lighting is the illumination of the working areas with LED strip.

LED strip: its varieties and features

LED strip is a thin strip with a self-adhesive base in which LEDs are assembled. These are special semiconductors that emit light when passing through them. electrical energy... They are distinguished by minimal energy consumption, but at the same time they provide bright and full-fledged illumination. The brightness of the light depends on the type and number of LEDs used on running meter... Usually it is either 30, or 60, 120 or 240 pieces. But the types of diodes should be dealt with in more detail.

Types of LED strips

SMD - tape, or one-color. That is, its color can be any, but the shade of the glow will be stable. The tape is called by the type of LEDs - SMD 3028 (monocrystalline) or SMD 5050 - consisting of three crystals, and, accordingly, giving 2.5 times more brightness.
RGB - tape, or three-color. Each of its LEDs contains three crystals - green, blue, red, so it is capable of emitting any spectrum of light. The ribbon glows white when three crystals are activated at the same time. Such a tape, as a rule, is equipped with a remote control to regulate the change in color and intensity of its glow.

Also, tapes are distinguished by the presence of silicone protection against moisture. If there is one, then the tape can be used not only in the kitchen, but also on the street - it is not afraid of precipitation. Depending on the availability of protection, they are divided into:

Benefits of LED backlighting

Durability. Even with 12 hours of use, the lighting strip can last for about 15 years.
Color selection. Available in white, purple, red, orange, green, blue color illumination, not counting the infrared or ultraviolet spectrum.
Brightness without warm-up time.
Affordable price.
Security.
Insensitive to heat.
Environmental friendliness.
Possibility to choose a tape with any radiation angle.

Using LED strip in the kitchen

Despite the fact that the tape can be attached anywhere, there are certain rules for using such lighting in the kitchen. It will focus on those interior elements in which it will be most effective.

Work zone. Usually the tape is attached under the hinged kitchen cabinets and it should be moisture resistant and bright enough. If the working area is well lit even without it, then the LED strip can play a decorative role - in the form of a color accent.
Ceiling. The tape is mounted under plasterboard construction, and performs an exclusively decorative role.
Curtains. Above them, something like a cornice is mounted, under which an LED strip is wound.

There are other places where you can use LED strip, for example, to illuminate the inside or bottom of cabinets, household appliances, bar counter or decorative niches.

Photo gallery: kitchen lighting options

Features of installing LED strip in the kitchen

The installation process itself is simple, and it looks like this. First of all, the protective factory strip is removed from the tape, after which it is connected to the power supply using a soldered adapter. Next, the power supply is connected to the wiring. If an RGB tape is used, then an AC adapter is also connected to it. Everything is quite simple, but there are certain technical details and complexity.
During the installation process, it is often necessary to cut the tape. This cannot be done anywhere, it is necessary to cut off only where the manufacturer has applied special lines.
Sometimes the tape is sold without an adapter (plug). And if not a whole reel of tape is purchased, but only a couple of meters, then it will have to be soldered independently. It is possible to connect the tape directly, but the polarity must be observed - the "-" and "+" marks on the adapter and the tape must match.

Power supply selection

Since the power supplies are available in different capacities, respectively, they have different sizes. You should choose such that there is a power reserve, but at the same time the transformer is not bulky.

How to calculate the power of a transformer

For a tape 5 meters long, the calculation will look like this - multiply 12 watts by 5 and get 60 watts. We add the coefficient - 1.75, and we get 75 watts. Thus, for a 5 m tape, a 75 W transformer is needed.

Tools for the job

For self-arrangement LED lighting in the kitchen will need the following materials and tools:

12W power supply, dimmer;
Ribbon (12W), 0.74 mm wires;
Roulette
Double sided tape;
Solder;
Building hair dryer;
Soldering iron;
Heat-shrink tubing;
Installation brackets.
Plastic or aluminum corner;
Drill;
Scissors.

Step-by-step installation of LED lighting in the kitchen

Step 1. Cut off the required amount of tape, and clean the contacts from the factory silicone casing up to 1.5 cm. We try not to damage the cable cores.
Step 2. Solder two cables to the contacts. It is dangerous to connect cables with connectors, as this can cause a fire. Soldering time should be no more than 10 seconds at a temperature of 260 degrees. We align the markings correctly.

Step 3. Insulate the wires heat shrink tubing... To do this, cut off a piece 2 cm long, put it in place of the adhesion and fix it with a hairdryer. You can use electrical tape, but it is less reliable.
Step 4. Fasten on a profile or corner Double-sided tape, remove it from the tape protective film and secured in place. The surface must be degreased.
Step 5. Nearby we hide the transformer, into which the wiring is soldered on one side, and on the other - an electric cable with a plug.
Step 6. The wires are brought out to the location of the power supply in parallel.
Step 7. We hide the wires in the box.
Step 8. Connect the dimmer, if any.

How to choose a dimmer

The dimmer is used to change the brightness of the backlight and also has a power on / off function. There are three types of control - stationary on the remote control or on a conventional switch, remote - on an infrared or radio transmitter, or control via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

Cheap dimmers have a significant drawback - increased flicker at low brightness levels, which is tiring and leads to headaches and increased fatigue. Therefore, choosing a unit to control LEDs is not worth saving.

As you can see, the process of arranging LED lighting in the kitchen is not so complicated, and it is quite possible to do it yourself. The bright and rich light that LEDs give is pleasing to the eye and makes work in the kitchen more productive.

Illumination of the working area can be created using three types of lamps - halogen, fluorescent and LED.

1. With the help of halogen lamps, spot lighting is created - for example, a cooking area. If more or less uniform illumination is required, the installation of several such lamps is required. As a rule, they are mounted in the lower part of the cabinets at the rate of one lamp per 70-100 centimeters of the surface, but installation is also found with a higher frequency.

2. Installation of LED strip or LED lamps is more popular. With their help, it is possible to create a uniform illumination of the working area. The advantages of LED strips also include ease of installation. If the installation of halogen lamps should be planned at the stage of creating a headset, then the LED strip can be installed at any time. In addition, modern LED strips allow you to choose the backlight color or even change it during operation.

3. Fluorescent lamps give an even white illumination. Unlike LED strips, you do not need to purchase a power supply for them - just fix it and plug it into an outlet.

Also in demand track lights... An aluminum profile is fixed to the lower part of the upper cabinets, on which there are several movable small lamps. Thus, you can independently adjust the directivity and saturation of lighting in the required area.

The cost of lighting for the work area is quite affordable. For example, a ready-to-install LED luminaire will cost about $ 20, depending on the length. The LED strip itself is quite cheap - from 2 to 15 dollars per meter, depending on the number of diodes. But to install it, you will also need to purchase a power supply - from $ 10, depending on the characteristics.

1.2 Illumination of the apron

1. An elegant solution - skinned with built backlit... Such an apron is made of two layers of glass, between which an LED strip will be mounted. Adding to this a picturesque drawing, you can get a very, very unusual cuisine.

Skinali with built-in backlight will cost: from about $ 60 per meter of the apron itself, plus from $ 3 to $ 15 per meter of backlight and a power supply costing from $ 15 to $ 50. In addition, the cost will be affected by the need to output additional sockets, fasteners - for each action the installers set a certain price.

2. Backlighting of the apron with LED strip at the bottom of the upper cabinets in the immediate vicinity of the apron.

3. You can use lamps-spots- small spotlights. But they have one significant drawback - the light on the apron will look like a bright spot, so the effect of such backlighting is lost. Spots are better suited for matte or embossed aprons, for example, from decorative tiles under a brick.

1.3 Lighting of cabinets inside

Illumination of cabinets inside is not an urgent need, but so it enjoys a certain popularity. Interior lighting of cabinets can be divided into functional and decorative:

The functional one is triggered only when the cabinet door is opened, which makes it easier to find something inside.

Decorative - manually switched on, installed for cabinets with doors with glass inserts.

For both functional and decorative lighting inside cabinets the best way suitable LED strip. It practically does not take up space, and self-adhesive options do not require complex installation. If for decorative lighting the cost of connecting is practically the same, for example, from lighting the working area, then for functional lighting you will have to spend an additional $ 10 for an automatic switch on relay when the cabinets are opened.

If desired, the top of the cabinet can also be fitted with spots... The cost of a single spot is about $ 3, but to this it is worth adding the cost of installation, wiring, connecting the switch and the bulb itself. The switch can be easily hidden.

The most simple form lighting for cabinets is a separate small fixtures on batteries... The cost of such a small lamp is about $ 15. They work from several fingers of the batteries, and the inclusion occurs thanks to the motion sensor. Installation takes place either on adhesive tape or on a magnet - but before that, a metal plate must be attached to the cabinet.

1.4 Illumination of the frieze (wall cabinets) and plinth

The schemes and cost of lighting these parts of the kitchen practically do not differ from the rest. For backlight frieze spots with different kinds lamps, LED strip or remote lamps. Many headset models are initially equipped with curtain rods with built-in spots.

When choosing an LED strip, it is desirable that the aluminum profile with a diffusing strip screen does not look like a foreign element - the profile can be disguised as a headset style. For already installed kitchen remote fixtures costing $ 20 or more are best suited.

Backlight plinth- a fairly new phenomenon that is actively gaining popularity. Plinth lighting not only creates an unusual effect in the kitchen, but is also often used as a night light. Here, the LED strip has no competitors - installing other types of backlighting is simply unreasonable, and in addition, it allows you to choose the desired color.

2. Types of lamps

Today there are 4 types of lamps that are used for lighting in the kitchen:
1.LED lamps. Today, this type of lamp can rightfully be called the most popular. LED lamps can be found in the form of ordinary bulbs, but more often they are made in the form of LED strips with different lengths and degrees of illumination. Besides, LED lamp able to create backlight different colors, which distinguishes them favorably as a decorative light source.

2. Halogen lamps are characterized by fairly good brightness and low power consumption. They are most often used in spotlighting spots. It is not possible to create uniform illumination with them. Sometimes halogen lamps can be found, for example, in hoods.
3. Energy saving lamps. Despite the reduced power consumption, these lamps have two main disadvantages: high price and a long burn-up time (up to 2 minutes). In addition, their brightness cannot be dimmed.
4. Fluorescent lamps. This type of lamp has been practically supplanted by LEDs and "halogens". They do not heat up during operation, the lighting is quite even and pleasant, but the disadvantages include blinking when turned on and a possible "hum" during operation.

3. Switches

The installation of the switch is not limited by any rules. Moreover, today it is possible to choose from several types of switches:

a conventional surface-mounted switch that is displayed either on the apron or on the wall
small mortise switches that are mounted in furniture

touch switches that are triggered by touch

switches-sensors that react to movement near them

switches, with the ability to change the brightness of lighting (dimmers)

sometimes the switch can be equipped with a remote control

Photo: vk.com, website, avito.ru, lotusbleudesign.org, xuefl.blog.bokee.net, homedesigninteriorphotos.co, giesendesign.com

Modern kitchen equipment makes cooking less cumbersome. Correct lighting rooms and LED lighting for the kitchen under the cabinets creates comfortable conditions for a home chef.

Benefits led lighting in comparison with both traditional incandescent lamps and energy-saving lamps, everyone knows. These are extremely high efficiency and durability. It is also important that the LEDs light up on full power instantly, without requiring time to warm up, their service life does not depend on the number of on-off operations. The only drawback is the relatively high cost. But the costs are justified: LED lighting in the kitchen will last for several decades, saving a lot of money due to low energy consumption.

If you already have a different type of kitchen lighting, do not rush to change it to a new one. Manufacturers produce LED lamps for almost any type of base and, most likely, you can only replace the lamp itself, without changing anything in the lamp or limiting yourself to minor alterations.

Where to place the backlight

Proper lighting in the kitchen should be multi-zone. It's general lighting, light over dining table and, of course, LED lighting for the kitchen working area.

The sophisticated consumer, technically savvy and familiar with the latest in interior design, is often not limited to just functional lighting.

Where should and can the lighting for the kitchen be located?

Working area - lighting for cabinets.

The lighting level in the work area should be the highest

The hood above the stove has a built-in lighting.

If the light of the hood seems insufficient to you, the standard lamps can be replaced with brighter and more economical diode.

Adds convenience or simply decorates the interior with additional lighting in the following places:

Illumination of glass cabinets. If you don't have collectible tableware, put frosted glass in the door, it's no less beautiful.

Soft light emanating from glazed cabinets visually lightens the kitchen set

Above top cabinets if the room has sufficient height. The light directed into the ceiling will make the room visually higher

Under the lower tier of cabinets. The light source should not be visible, so a thin and inconspicuous LED strip for the kitchen is best suited.

The lighting in the kitchen above and below the cabinets, directed towards the ceiling and floor by LEDs, is not intended for work, therefore it may not be white, but colored. The upper light can be bright, and the lower one should be dim, noticeably softer than in the working area

The LED strip in the kitchen can be installed under the countertop and directed along the facades of the lower cabinets, highlighting their contents.

The tape is attached directly under the worktop. The tabletop itself should protrude relative to the furniture front at a distance not less than the width of the light element

You can also highlight the worktop itself from the inside, for this it must be transparent. They are made of glass, transparent polymer glued in several layers.

An LED strip is installed along the contour of the translucent tabletop

Another option is the hidden LED backlighting of the glass table top. The light source is directed from the end. To maximize the effect, the table top is made of transparent quartz glass with matte details applied to the surface. It is they who will shine

Bar counter lighting, if any.

Diode lighting for the kitchen in the bar area is directed, as a rule, downward

Glowing skin is all the rage. The light does not fall on it from the outside, but comes from within.

The glowing skin came to the kitchen interior from advertising lighting. This is a flat diode panel with an image printed on milk glass

Actually, LED lighting in the kitchen can be placed almost anywhere. Only financial considerations can limit your imagination.

What are LED kitchen lamps?

With your own hands, LED lighting can be made using ready-made lamps, or the lighting system can actually be assembled independently from individual elements. Let's list the main types of devices used:

Overhead linear luminaires. They are sold both individually and in sets, where several modules are connected in series into one block using a special adapter.

DIY LED lighting for the kitchen working area from ready-made line modules

Overhead spotlights.

LED illumination of the working area, made of corner lamps

Lamps appeared on sale, both linear and point, equipped with touch switches. It is enough to touch their body in a certain place to turn on or off the light.

A touch switch is usually indicated by a solid blue LED

Mortise luminaires, linear and spot. Being very thin, they are flush with the bottom shelf of the cabinet.

The flush-mounted LED kitchen lighting is completely hidden in the bottom shelf. It is convenient, but the installation of such a lamp requires certain qualifications.

LED strips for kitchen lighting are used no less widely than ready-made lighting fixtures. The reason for this popularity is wide choice in brightness and color and, which is very convenient - the tape can be cut exactly to the required length. It costs less than ready-made lamps.

The choice in terms of brightness and color is very diverse.

DIY LED strip installation

With ready-made lamps, everything is more or less clear, but how to make a backlight on kitchen set do it yourself from an LED strip?

What will the tape-based LED backlight consist of?

To assemble a workable luminaire, you will need the following materials:

Diode tape required length.
If necessary, an aluminum guide profile.

The kitchen lighting will look neater if you place it in a special aluminum profile... This solution facilitates the installation of lighting.

12 W power supply.
Switch.
Electric cable and plug or terminal block, depending on the type of connection. We recommend using a double-braided copper stranded cable with a cross section of at least 2x0.75 mm2.
Heat shrink tubing for sealing joints.

LED strip is often sold complete with a power supply and control

How to choose an LED strip

The LED strip in the kitchen must be protected from water, this is one of the conditions for safe operation. The minimum level of moisture protection is IP44 (withstands the ingress of individual drops of water), better than IP65 (water jet). Voltage - 12 W, as the safest.

LED lighting for the kitchen working area should be bright, in the spectrum close to natural daylight. We recommend using a strip with three-crystal LEDs of the SMD type 50x50 of 30 diodes of 12 lumens each per meter of length. If you want to have a brighter light, especially when equipping the backlight with a dimmer, it is better to choose a product with 60 diodes. Color temperature ranging from 3300 to 500 K.

Additional lighting for the kitchen, as a rule, should not be bright. Often, the luminous flux of SMD 35x28 from 30 diodes of 5 lumens per meter is enough. Color does not play a significant practical role and more depends on the design idea.

How to choose a power supply and switch for LED strip in the kitchen

In order for the LED lighting in the kitchen to work stably, we recommend choosing a power supply with a power reserve of about 25%. The power of the belt depends on the model, specifications can be obtained from the seller. So, SMD 50x50 out of 30 diodes "takes" 7.2 watts per meter of length. Thus, if the length is, for example, 4 m, the total power will be 28.8 watts. Accordingly, a power supply unit with a 25% margin is 36 W. Choose a compact model, it will be easier to hide.

As for the switch, the following options are possible:

Simple push-button.
Touch-sensitive.
Infrared, reacts to a wave of the hand.
Dimmer that regulates the luminous flux. Control can be mechanical, in the form of a rotating handle or touch.
A control unit that makes the light blink or sparkle with multi-colored lights if a multi-color RGB tape is selected. Although, such effects are rarely used.

Diode lighting for the kitchen based on several strips should be carried out only in a parallel connection scheme

DIY installation of LED strip in the kitchen

LED backlighting must be assembled in accordance with the following rules:

The tape cannot be cut to length arbitrarily, only in certain places. For this, special marks are applied on it.
If it is necessary to use several tapes, they are connected to the power supply in parallel.
The electrical cable coming from the power supply should be connected to the tape not with connectors, but with soldering, this is more reliable. The connection should be sealed by crimping with heat shrink tubing. You can also use duct tape, but this is more difficult and will not look so neat.

A conventional rocker or pushbutton switch is installed before the power supply.

Wiring diagram with a conventional switch

Dimmer or RGB block - after the power supply.

LED strip in the kitchen: photo of the connection diagram with an adjustable dimmer luminous flux

The LED lighting for the kitchen is attached under the cabinets using double-sided adhesive tape. First, you just need to lightly fasten the tape in several places and, making sure that it is in the right place and lay flat, press firmly along the entire length.

If you do not have sufficient knowledge and skill to work with electrics and electronics, entrust the installation of the backlight to specialists.