How many under cabinet led strips do I need?

Under cabinet led strips have become a popular lighting method in modern home decoration. Not only can they provide bright and even lighting, increase the visual effect of the space, but they can also provide additional task lighting for the kitchen or other storage areas.

Although LED light strips are easy to install and effective, many people often face a question when choosing and installing them: How many under cabinet led strips do I need to achieve the desired lighting effect?

To answer this question, you need to consider a variety of factors, including the size of the cabinet, the brightness of the light strip, the required lighting intensity, and the specific purpose of the lighting. This article will delve into how to determine how many LED light strips you need based on these factors to help consumers make an informed choice.

What is the demand for under cabinet led strips?

Before considering the number of under cabinet led strips to be installed, you first need to clarify the following basic elements:

1. The size and shape of the cabinet:

The size and shape of the cabinet directly affects the length and number of light strips required. Generally, the larger the installation area of the under cabinet led strips, the more light strips are required. The shape of the cabinet (straight, L-shaped, U-shaped, etc.) will also affect how the strips are arranged.

2. Light intensity requirements:

Different usage scenarios have different requirements for LED strips. In work areas such as the kitchen, higher light intensity is necessary to ensure a clear view. In environments such as bedrooms or living rooms, softer, warmer lighting effects may be preferred. The required light intensity will also determine how many strips you need.

3. Brightness of the strips (lumens):

The brightness of under cabinet led strips is usually measured in lumens (lm). Based on the lumens, you can calculate the light intensity provided by each strip. If the cabinet is large or requires higher brightness lighting, you may need to use more than one strip.

4. Power and length of the strips:

The power and length of the under cabinet led strips will affect the number of strips installed. Generally, higher power strips provide stronger lighting effects and may require fewer strips; while lower power strips require more strips to achieve the same lighting effect.

How to calculate the number of LED strips required?

In order to reasonably calculate how many LED strips are needed, users need to consider multiple factors. Next, we will help you make detailed calculations according to the cabinet size, brightness requirements and strip characteristics.

1. Matching cabinet size with strip length

Suppose you have a standard straight cabinet with a length of 200cm and a width of 50cm. In this case, you first need to measure the length of the bottom of the cabinet and choose an LED strip that fits that length.

·Measure the length of the bottom of the cabinet: Based on the actual measurement results, you need to choose the length of the strip. Under cabinet led strips usually have standard lengths, such as 1 meter, 2 meters, etc. If your cabinet is longer, you can splice multiple strips together. Generally speaking, the length of a single LED strip is about 1 meter, and longer cabinets may require 2 or 3 strips.

·Choose the power of the strip: The power of the strip is usually measured in watts (W). If your cabinet area is large, you may need to choose a higher-power strip to ensure the lighting effect. If the area is small, a lower-power strip is sufficient to meet the needs.

2. Calculate lumen requirements

Lumen value (lm) is an important criterion for measuring light intensity. Generally, areas such as kitchens that require high brightness require about 300-500 lumens per square meter. Therefore, when installing under cabinet led strips, we can calculate the number of light strips required based on the required lumen value.

For example, if the LED light strip you choose provides 800 lumens per meter, and the bottom area of your cabinet is 200cm × 50cm (i.e. 1 square meter), the number of lumens required is:

· About 300-500 lumens are required per square meter. Assume that you need 400 lumens to meet the basic lighting needs under the cabinet.

· If the LED light strip provides 800 lumens per meter, you only need to install a 1-meter long light strip to meet the basic lighting needs.

· If your cabinet area is large or has multiple storage layers, you can achieve the required light intensity by increasing the number of light strips.

3. Light source type and color temperature selection

The color temperature of under cabinet led strips will also affect its lighting effect. Generally speaking, cool white light (5000K-6500K) is suitable for work areas such as kitchens and bathrooms, while warm white light (2700K-3500K) is more suitable for leisure areas such as bedrooms and living rooms. Choosing the right color temperature can enhance the comfort of the space, but it will also affect the number of light strips required. For example, cool white light has a higher sense of brightness, and fewer light strips may be required to achieve the same lighting effect.

What are the installation methods of under cabinet led strips?

1. Cabinet shape and light strip arrangement

Different shapes of cabinets require different light strip arrangement solutions:

· Straight cabinets: For ordinary straight cabinets, you only need to install 1-2 LED light strips according to the length of the cabinet. Choose the appropriate light strip length according to the lumen requirements and power. Generally speaking, each light strip is 1 meter long and each light strip provides about 500-1000 lumens.

· L-shaped or U-shaped cabinets: For L-shaped or U-shaped cabinets, you may need to install LED light strips on two or three sides. Depending on the length of each face and the lumen requirements, you can choose to install two or three light strips to ensure uniform lighting in each area.

·Multi-layer cabinets: If the cabinet has multiple levels, you may want to consider installing LED light strips on each level to ensure the lighting effect of each level.

2. How to improve the lighting effect

In some cases, the cabinet may not be as good as expected due to design or shading problems. To improve this situation, you can consider the following methods:

·Increase the number of light strips: If you find that the lighting in a certain area is not uniform enough, you can increase the number of light strips appropriately, especially in those corners or backs where the light is weak.

·Use light strips with reflected light: By installing reflective materials on the back or bottom of the cabinet, you can enhance the lighting effect of LED light strips. Reflective materials can evenly scatter light throughout the cabinet, improving the lighting effect.

·Choose high-brightness light strips: Sometimes if using only standard brightness light strips is not enough, you can choose light strips with higher lumens, or use double-row LED light strips to increase brightness.

Is your company certified to ensure high-quality LED lighting manufacturing?

Yes, our factory is fully certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 quality and environmental management systems. All Huari LED lighting products are CE, RoHS, and ERP approved. We strictly control the entire production process, from raw material sourcing to finished product inspection. Our focus on quality makes us a reliable LED lighting manufacturer and supplier in China. Clients worldwide choose our brand for consistent quality and affordable prices.