There are a huge number of variations of effective backlighting for kitchen backsplashes. Modern lighting fixtures are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. The correct selection of lighting fixtures will help complete your individual kitchen interior scenario. One of the most popular types of lighting fixtures are LED strips. There is another interesting option - skins with backlighting from the inside.
Overview of lighting options
The market offers a ton of luminaires for functional kitchen lighting. Backlighting a kitchen apron is performed using:
- incandescent lamps;
- fluorescent lamps;
- halogen lamps;
- LED strips.
Incandescent bulbs are affordable and light up well. At the same time, they consume a lot of electricity and have a short operating life.
Fluorescent lamps practically do not heat up and give even cold illumination. But they can periodically emit background noise during operation, which is unacceptable in cases where the kitchen lights remain on overnight.
Halogen lamps are small in size and have a long service life. At the same time, they consume a lot of energy and quickly heat up, which is why the image on the plastic aprons begins to fade. Light from such lamps is reflected on polished surfaces, blinding bright spots.
Backlighting a glass backsplash in a kitchen with LED strip is ideal for designer kitchens. This type of lighting has many advantages:
- Compact dimensions - the lighting device will not be noticeable until it is turned on.
- Large lighting area - despite their small dimensions, LED strips are able to quite brightly illuminate a kitchen apron, creating comfort when working.
- Wide variety of types - the LED lamp can illuminate with bright white, soft yellow or multi-colored light.
- Lack of strobe effect - this backlight does not flicker and does not make noise during operation.
The LED strip can be installed over wall cabinets or illuminate the kitchen backsplash from the inside, turning the glass into a single powerful lamp. At the same time, it can be easily assembled with your own hands.
Which kitchens and headsets is this solution suitable for?
Lighting with LED strip will suit any kitchen set. Small kitchens will visually expand, while large ones will acquire a special aesthetic effect. Such lighting will effectively emphasize the eating area and separate it from the work surfaces.
Kitchens with LED lighting will gain special elegance if Provence, hi-tech or minimalist furniture is installed in them. LED lighting looks very good in kitchens with dark colored furniture.
Colorful temperature
The backlit apron for the kitchen can have a different color.
The most classic variation is solid white lighting, either warm or cold. For black and white or colorful multi-colored skins, this variation is preferable.
There are such types:
- 2800K - warm white;
- 4200K - neutral white;
- 6200K - cold white.
In high-tech or Provence style kitchens, where the apron is monochromatic, multicolor backlighting with RGB tape - green / red / blue / purple will look good. Using the remote control, the user can adjust the brightness level of the lighting, select a separate color, or use a dynamic effect in which all colors will smoothly change each other.
When choosing an LED strip, you need to take into account that for a particular kitchen, it is preferable to have bright lighting of work areas (monochromatic type of backlighting) or a stylistic effect.
LED strips practically do not heat up and consume little energy (85% less than incandescent bulbs), and also last 20 times longer.
The backlight should guarantee a rich glow, the spectrum of which is as close as possible to daylight. For kitchens, it is better to prefer an SMD tape, the LEDs of which consist of 3 crystals - 30 diodes for each running meter. For brighter lighting, you need to install a tape that is equipped with 60 crystals per meter of length. The color of the tape is selected in accordance with the design decisions.
The illumination of the lower part of kitchen cabinets and cabinets is done exclusively for decorative purposes. Visualization of lighting and duplicate lighting of the skin allows you to achieve the effect of "Floating kitchen". To do this, an additional LED strip is laid along the bottom of the kitchen unit, which will give a uniform stream of light, merging with the backlight of the apron.
Types of LED strips for backlighting an apron in the kitchen
There are a lot of types of LED strips, but for kitchens it is necessary to choose devices that are protected from moisture.
The main types of LED strips for the kitchen:
- Open type (IP33 marking) - unsuitable for installation in the center of the kitchen, as they are leaky. Moisture can damage the conductive track.
- One-sided type (IP65 marking) - sealed only in the upper part, where the electronic components are located. The protective layer is a polymer casing (covers the electronic components) or a silicone sealant (covers the entire upper part).
- Double-sided type (IP68 / IP67 marking) is the best option for kitchens, because such tapes are completely sealed. The product is hidden in a transparent plastic casing. This approach allows you to protect the tape from any moisture ingress and ensure its durability - at least 10 years.
A key factor when choosing LED luminaires is that they must be moisture resistant. The most optimal tapes for kitchens are IP65 marked, capable of withstanding a direct stream of water.
Lighting angle
Backlighting an apron in the kitchen with an LED strip assumes an important condition - the correct angle of the light flux on the countertops.
The angles of light diffusion in the area of the apron have their own characteristics. They must guarantee comfortable illumination of work surfaces and, at the same time, do not create reflections on glass and polished parts.
LED profile can be placed:
- at an angle of 45%;
- at right angles.
The optimal place for placing the LED strips is the angle between the skin and the upper cabinets of the kitchen set. This position of the illumination will provide favorable light flux.
Lighting control and skinning connection
You can control LED lighting using:
- keyboard toggle switch;
- touch control built into the LED profile;
- wireless touch switch;
- switch in the socket;
- touch control integrated on any surface;
Skinali connects to the network using the following algorithm:
- The tape is cut to the desired length at a specific point indicated with scissors.
- The finished piece is connected to the power supply. If multiple tapes are used, they are connected in parallel.
- The electrical wire coming from the power supply is connected to the tape by soldering. The connection is sealed with a heat shrink tube.
- A switch is connected to the power supply.
- The LED strip is attached to a regular place.
- The power supply is connected to the general power supply.
In the absence of sufficient electrical skills, it is better to entrust the installation of LED lighting for a glass apron to specialists.
If an apron made of glass with lighting is not available to the user for financial reasons, he can get by with an alternative option - to make a backlight of the table top. It can be fixed at the bottom of wall cabinets. It is better to choose an LED strip as lighting equipment. It will glow better than fluorescent or halogen lamps, and will also last much longer.
