LED stands for light emitting diodes, and these lights are widely used for kitchen lighting purposes. LEDs are often used to illuminate some areas in a kitchen which can be difficult to light with standard bulbs. For some types of LEDs it just requires the simple replacement of fluorescent or incandescent bulbs with new LED bulbs. In some other situations, LED units are specially mounted under cabinets or even inside furniture pieces to give focused illumination. LED illumination can vary, not only in cost, but also in the quality of light. These differences can be found in LED bulbs and also the fixtures.

Today, most kitchens have at least one ceiling light fixture, that is mounted on the kitchen's ceiling surface or is recessed in the ceiling. These lighting fixtures often use compact fluorescent light bulbs or standard incandescent light bulbs. A number of manufacturers now make bulbs that work with these standard sockets. Replacing the standard light bulbs in these lighting fixtures with LED bulbs is definitely the most basic way to achieve kitchen lighting. There are bulbs that can be used in recessed light sockets too. LED bulbs are a good replacement option because they produce less heat and save energy.

An additional kitchen lighting option consists of the installation of LED illumination elements inside or under kitchen cabinets. There are small LED light fixtures, as well as, LED strips that are made for this type of installation. These light fixtures have a number of diodes mounted on the lighting strip so it is easily installed under the vast majority of kitchen cabinets. This sort of lighting supplies soft illumination for kitchen counter work areas. These LEDs are usually available in sections that can be linked together to fit under different sizes of cabinets. Such lighting may also be installed inside kitchen cabinets.

LED is often installed inside of kitchen furnishings too. The smaller size and electrical requirements of led kitchen lighting that they are able to be easily mounted inside of kitchen display cases or cabinets. This type of display lighting works well for illuminating beautiful and elegant dinnerware, or other types of kitchen decorations.

Every type of lighting features distinctive characteristics. A number of them give very economical illumination but sometimes these products only give a little light that has a rather narrow spectrum of light. The more costly LEDs uses more diodes that have a wider spectrum of light. This particular kind of lighting is normally more effective, as a wider spectrum of light tends to make colours appear even more natural and it is also easier on a person's eyes. It is definitely a great idea to look at the quality and quantity of light that is produced by a certain lighting fixture before purchasing and especially when designing a kitchen.

If your kitchen is small, with no room for relaxing or socialising, then the most important aspect of your lighting scheme will be task lighting. LED lamps could almost have been made for functional kitchens. Use LED downlights beneath wall cupboards to light the work surface, when combined with ceiling fitted directional spots you should have all the task lighting you need.