Often, homeowners who are interested in adding LED lighting to their kitchens express concerns about the effort that will be required to rewire existing electrical lines, or the difficulties of planning a lighting system before cabinets have even been installed. But not to worry, no matter what stage of a project you are in, Inspired LED has a lighting solution for you! Whether you are looking for a minor decor upgrade, or beginning a full kitchen remodel, we have the perfect LED lights, controls, and power sources to fit your needs. Let’s explore a few different stages of the kitchen design process, and discover some ways to make sure you get the perfect LED lighting system no matter what phase you are in!
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Full Remodel
Believe it or not, the preliminary stage of a kitchen remodel is actually the perfect time to begin thinking about your new LED lighting system! With walls being removed, and electrical wiring being rerouted or exposed, you will have a lot of flexibility to decide where and how to lay out your new LED lighting system. One of the main benefits of a full remodel is that it allows you to choose between powering from a hardwire transformer and a dimmable wall switch, or utilizing electrical outlets with plug-in power supplies (which can also be wired to a on/off wall switch). If you would like to go with a hardwire system, you will want to analyze your kitchen plans to determine the best location for the hardwire transformer. Since this product needs room to breathe, it is most often installed inside or above cabinets, even up in a closet or attic. Once the placement of the transformer has been decided, you can have an electrician start by running wire drops to the location of your cabinets. We suggest using a class-2 18AWG in wall rated wire, which is perfect for low voltage lighting. You can learn more about the process of hardwiring a dimmable transformer by clicking here.
If, instead, you are planning to use plug-in power supplies, you will want to begin by determining the ideal locations for outlets above, underneath, or even inside cabinets. Your electrician can adjust the placement of existing outlets, or install new ones depending upon your lighting needs. You can also use this time to decide whether you would like any of these to be switched outlets controlled by an on/off switch on the wall, or an in-line control like our standard switch or 4-position dimmer. (It is important to note that in either case, switched wall outlets should never be wired to a wall dimmer).
Kitchen Makeover![kitchen make over]()
In this design scenario, you will not be tackling a full remodel, but you will be doing some significant work updating counter-tops, back splashes, cabinets, etc. Depending on the depth of the project, you may have the ability to take advantage of some of the methods detailed above. If you’re planning to remove the existing backsplash, you may be able to use the opportunity to install a hardwire transformer or a new set of electrical outlets. However, with most small-scale makeovers, it will be a lot easier to simply move existing outlets to more convenient locations, or narrow down whether those “hidden” outlets behind the fridge or above the microwave can be utilized to power your new lights. If you find yourself feeling restricted by the existing wiring in your kitchen, never fear! Inspired LED offers some unique options like our RF Dimmer with wireless remote, or Independence Dimmer system as detailed below. Both of these products eliminate the need for complicated rewiring, and allow you to sync multiple receiver units for universal control throughout your home.
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Minor Design Changes
This last type of kitchen lighting project is perhaps the most common, though it is also the most limiting in terms of options for power and control. Whether you are you are re-painting or refinishing cabinets, replacing appliances, or simply switching out an old under cabinet lighting system, the majority of your kitchen will remain intact. Walls are not likely be torn down, nor will electrical lines be re-routed. If you had existing high voltage lights under your cabinets, your first option for converting to low voltage LEDs would be to use a convenience box combined with a plug-in a power supply. The convenience box wires directly to 120V cable drops, mounting underneath your cabinets to create a new outlet. From here it is easy to plug in one of our standard power supplies, and connect to your LED lights. Another option, for those who have existing kitchen outlets, is one of our personal favorites, the Independence Dimmer switch. This is a unique combo set featuring a low profile receiver module, and a wireless, energy-harvesting paddle style wall switch which can be mounted anywhere without the need for wiring. The specialized nature of this product makes it perfect for those looking to create a spectacularly seamless LED system with minimal effort.
For more information on the best way to incorporate LED lighting into your next project, feel free to contact our Design Team directly here. For any other questions please contact us at 480-941-4286 or email us at orders@inspiredled.com .
Photo credit: http://t2bpropertysolutions.com/services/construction/remodeling/
