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I'd like to put 3 or 4 upper cabinets (probably from IKEA) in my craft area, over my desk, with ott-like under cabinet lighting.
1. I'm assuming the only cabinet configuration is with shelves, so what do you find most useful to store in this type of cabinetry? I'm also guessing they are 12 inches deep.
I don't have cabinets over my work area as it faces a window, but I do have under shelf lights over my counter top. I used kitchen cabinet lights and it's not very bright. It's ok for my use but if it's good bright light you need, you might consider LED light strips.
Some thoughts about under counter lighting
When purchasing, think about how you will hide the cords as I figure you're probably not going with new wiring.
If not one single light, do you want them all to connect to each other so you have just one light to turn on? If yes, make they will fit evenly under your counters.
Take into consideration if the lights generate heat. Depending on the kind of light you select, in order to get them bright enough, you may have a lot of heat on you.
When I lived in NY, I redid my kitchen at Ikea and the upper cabinets had lights underneath, but they were not Ott lights. And it seems to me that even if you did install that kind of lighting under your cabinets, you'd have those lights projecting out only twelve inches, and your desk must be quite a bit deeper than that. Wouldn't a couple of freestanding adjustable Ott task lamps be better in terms of directing the light exactly where you want it?
__________________ I have come to the conclusion that buying craft supplies and actually using them are two separate hobbies. RachelRose Designs by Robin... GALLERY
Thank you for the suggestions, ladies. I really appreciate your input. I felt rushed and like I didn't get to research enough, but I went with it and ended up with 15 inch deep cabinets from Ikea. Rachel, I was worried about the lighting not projecting far out enough with the 12 inch cabinets, so that' why I went deeper, but I also will consider just buying a task lamp. The problem with that is it takes up space on my desk! There's never enough work space, is there, lol?????
I did ask, at Ikea, about the LED strip lighting and the gentleman said that they are so new, that I should go to a lighting store, and not to bother with what they have at Ikea. I guess that's my next stop.
Thanks again,
karen
I don't have upper cabinets, but I did put a light under the shelf on my computer desk (which is where I sit to color). I got a relatively cheap plug-in flourescent fixture and put a daylight bulb in it. The only problem I have had with it is that it's TOO bright because of the height relative to where my eyes are. I put a "valance" across the front to shield me a bit, and now it's fine... The small cabinets that are part of the desk have DIY foam-core marker cubbies and Stickles and such in them.
Brenda, I went to a lighting store today and the option that I found that seems to be closest to Ott lighting is 5000K. Do you know what yours is? It looks warmer to me.
K
Seems to be working just fine so far. If I was going to do it again, I might spend a bit more and get a more "slimline" fixture, but I'm happy enough to leave it well alone...
What is the difference between cool white, pure white or warm white? And is one better for crafting?
I'm remodeling a room in my basement and planning to do 8-10 feet of both upper and lower cabinets, so this is a great idea. (The nearest IKEA is 600 miles away, so it's not an option and I'll need to go with regular cabinets.) I think I will have an electrician wire it to a switch.
What is the difference between cool white, pure white or warm white? And is one better for crafting?
One of the lighting sites in discussing LED lights listed the following:
Cool white has a blueish tint
Pure white is compared to pure daylight
Warm white has a yellow or brownish tint
My aging eyes have a harder time crafting in warm white lighting.
Upper cabinets
