Shelf lighting is a type of lighting that is installed on shelves or under cabinets to illuminate items on display. It is commonly used in retail and hospitality settings to not only provide adequate illumination but also create a visually appealing atmosphere and highlight or enhance specific items. Shelf lighting can be used to highlight new or seasonal items, create visual interest in displays, and increase sales. In hospitality settings, shelf lighting can be used to enhance the appearance of food and beverage displays, create ambiance, and improve the overall guest experience.
Proper lighting in retail and hospitality settings is crucial for creating a welcoming and attractive atmosphere. One aspect of lighting often overlooked is shelf lighting or under cabinet lighting. Cabinet light can enhance the appearance of items on display, such as merchandise in retail and bottles or artwork in restaurants and bars. Drawing attention to often overlooked products in cabinets with LED lighting can bring an additional dimension to a space, hence, improving its ambiance.
5 creative ideas to illuminate shelves and cabinets
LED cabinet lighting can be used for a variety of purposes. In retail, using recessed lights in cabinets and shelves bring more attention to items that may be harder to see; these lights can also have the bonus of being cleverly disguised through carpentry during the installation process. By using a “sandwich” process with the shelves, the luminaire can be placed between 2 wood boards during installation for a seamless finish.
L51 under cabinet recessed LED light used to illuminate objects in a display shelf
2. Another great way to take full advantage of LED shelf lighting is to use linear under cabinet lights as task lighting. Task lighting uses luminaires to help with focus and attention. They can be used under cabinets or shelves in kitchens and communal spaces in offices to provide extra illumination in hidden corners.
L109 recessed under cabinet linear LED light used to provide counters with more light. L550 directional recessed under cabinet LED lights used to add lighting that can be angled towards the desired spot.
3. Also, in office spaces, linear and puck LED lights can be used to illuminate items on shelves that require the spotlight. Achievements, awards, or certificates can be lit from the top to showcase those items in display cases. With bigger awards, artworks, and sculptures, the LED lights can be installed behind and under the items for an extra pop on modern shelves.
L550 directional recessed under cabinet LED lights used in a large display case to add multiple beams of light from the top and sides of the statues. L107 recessed under cabinet linear LED light used to illuminate the background for a dramatic backlight effect
4. In restaurants, bars, and lounges, LED puck lights can be used as mini spotlights for bottles or artwork being displayed on cabinets or shelves. Not only does it increase ambiance, but it also highlights the item being illuminated. For small pools of light, recessed or surface-mount luminaires are ideal, while for bigger spaces and taller shelves, linear LED lights are recommended.
L508 surface-mount under cabinet puck LED lights used in a reception area as overhead lighting
5. For entrances and lobbies, LED under cabinet lights can be used as small downlights. The effect brings a modern feel to the area, and the luminaires peeking out from the ceiling provide the space with illumination and décor.
How to choose the perfect light fixtures & install them on your shelves?
When choosing the right LED under cabinet light, there are a few factors to consider. One significant factor is the place. Where will it go? What’s the environment like? Is it a shelf? Or maybe a large display case? Knowing what is needed from the luminaire makes choosing easier and more efficient. For small displays and accent beams, LED puck lights are recommended. They can be recessed for a seamless look or surface mounted for an added detail in the décor. Another factor is brightness. Depending on how bright the light needs to be, the wattage required for the project will need to be picked correctly. Large shelving units, cabinets, and display cases may require a higher wattage or a larger beam angle, while small shelves and display cases may benefit from a lower wattage and tight beam angle.
L508 surface-mount under cabinet puck LED lights installed in shelves to illuminate objects on each tier
The installation process for most LED lights can be quite simple as they come with an installation guide that professionals can use to ensure the luminaires are installed correctly. The installation heavily depends on the type of fixture and the mounting type. Recessed luminaires have a seamless look; they are installed flush with the surface, while surface-mount luminaires often resemble a puck (which is why they’re called puck lights).
For shelving and cabinetry light installations, there is a way to disguise the lights between 2 boards so the lights and wiring are concealed in shelves and open cabinets. For this “sandwich” installation, holes are cut in the middle of the boards, and the LED under cabinet light is installed inside the space left by the empty space. The extra board hides the back of the fixture, providing a clean look as a result.
Q&A
How do you light up shelves?
Shelves are lit using under cabinet LED lights, which come in a wide range of options. For larger or deeper shelves, a luminaire with a large beam angle is recommended as it covers a larger area, and fewer LED lights are needed to illuminate the shelf. For smaller shelves, recessed LED under cabinet lights are recommended as they take up less space but still have a variety of beam angles that can be used with smaller shelves.
How do you install LED under cabinet lights?
For open shelves and cabinets, a “sandwich” or “false bottom” technique is recommended. The technique uses 2 boards with a hole in the middle of each that surrounds the fixture and wiring for a seamless effect. By using this method, it ensures that the installation of the luminaire is done correctly and that the result looks flawless.
Please keep in mind that installations should always be done by professionals to ensure that the installation guide is being followed and for safety reasons.
How do you light up a display case?
When considering lights for a display case, size is essential to pick the correct LED light. Display cases usually benefit from having recessed under cabinet LED lights as the cases are meant to showcase specific items. These lights act as a mini spotlight and enhance the object being displayed. If the item is large, multiple recessed under cabinet lights can be placed alongside recessed linear LED lights behind or under the object for a more dramatic light effect.
MP Lighting’s Ideas for Creative & Modern Shelf Lighting
Shelf lighting is a type of lighting that is installed on shelves or under cabinets to illuminate items on display. It is commonly used in retail and hospitality settings to not only provide adequate illumination but also create a visually appealing atmosphere and highlight or enhance specific items. Shelf lighting can be used to highlight new or seasonal items, create visual interest in displays, and increase sales. In hospitality settings, shelf lighting can be used to enhance the appearance of food and beverage displays, create ambiance, and improve the overall guest experience.
L51 under cabinet recessed LED light used to illuminate objects on shelves
Why shelf lighting matters?
Proper lighting in retail and hospitality settings is crucial for creating a welcoming and attractive atmosphere. One aspect of lighting often overlooked is shelf lighting or under cabinet lighting. Cabinet light can enhance the appearance of items on display, such as merchandise in retail and bottles or artwork in restaurants and bars. Drawing attention to often overlooked products in cabinets with LED lighting can bring an additional dimension to a space, hence, improving its ambiance.
5 creative ideas to illuminate shelves and cabinets
L51 under cabinet recessed LED light used to illuminate objects in a display shelf
2. Another great way to take full advantage of LED shelf lighting is to use linear under cabinet lights as task lighting. Task lighting uses luminaires to help with focus and attention. They can be used under cabinets or shelves in kitchens and communal spaces in offices to provide extra illumination in hidden corners.
L109 recessed under cabinet linear LED light used to provide counters with more light. L550 directional recessed under cabinet LED lights used to add lighting that can be angled towards the desired spot.
3. Also, in office spaces, linear and puck LED lights can be used to illuminate items on shelves that require the spotlight. Achievements, awards, or certificates can be lit from the top to showcase those items in display cases. With bigger awards, artworks, and sculptures, the LED lights can be installed behind and under the items for an extra pop on modern shelves.
L550 directional recessed under cabinet LED lights used in a large display case to add multiple beams of light from the top and sides of the statues. L107 recessed under cabinet linear LED light used to illuminate the background for a dramatic backlight effect
4. In restaurants, bars, and lounges, LED puck lights can be used as mini spotlights for bottles or artwork being displayed on cabinets or shelves. Not only does it increase ambiance, but it also highlights the item being illuminated. For small pools of light, recessed or surface-mount luminaires are ideal, while for bigger spaces and taller shelves, linear LED lights are recommended.
L508 surface-mount under cabinet puck LED lights used in a reception area as overhead lighting
5. For entrances and lobbies, LED under cabinet lights can be used as small downlights. The effect brings a modern feel to the area, and the luminaires peeking out from the ceiling provide the space with illumination and décor.
How to choose the perfect light fixtures & install them on your shelves?
When choosing the right LED under cabinet light, there are a few factors to consider. One significant factor is the place. Where will it go? What’s the environment like? Is it a shelf? Or maybe a large display case? Knowing what is needed from the luminaire makes choosing easier and more efficient. For small displays and accent beams, LED puck lights are recommended. They can be recessed for a seamless look or surface mounted for an added detail in the décor. Another factor is brightness. Depending on how bright the light needs to be, the wattage required for the project will need to be picked correctly. Large shelving units, cabinets, and display cases may require a higher wattage or a larger beam angle, while small shelves and display cases may benefit from a lower wattage and tight beam angle.
L508 surface-mount under cabinet puck LED lights installed in shelves to illuminate objects on each tier
The installation process for most LED lights can be quite simple as they come with an installation guide that professionals can use to ensure the luminaires are installed correctly. The installation heavily depends on the type of fixture and the mounting type. Recessed luminaires have a seamless look; they are installed flush with the surface, while surface-mount luminaires often resemble a puck (which is why they’re called puck lights).
For shelving and cabinetry light installations, there is a way to disguise the lights between 2 boards so the lights and wiring are concealed in shelves and open cabinets. For this “sandwich” installation, holes are cut in the middle of the boards, and the LED under cabinet light is installed inside the space left by the empty space. The extra board hides the back of the fixture, providing a clean look as a result.
Q&A
How do you light up shelves?
Shelves are lit using under cabinet LED lights, which come in a wide range of options. For larger or deeper shelves, a luminaire with a large beam angle is recommended as it covers a larger area, and fewer LED lights are needed to illuminate the shelf. For smaller shelves, recessed LED under cabinet lights are recommended as they take up less space but still have a variety of beam angles that can be used with smaller shelves.
How do you install LED under cabinet lights?
For open shelves and cabinets, a “sandwich” or “false bottom” technique is recommended. The technique uses 2 boards with a hole in the middle of each that surrounds the fixture and wiring for a seamless effect. By using this method, it ensures that the installation of the luminaire is done correctly and that the result looks flawless.
Please keep in mind that installations should always be done by professionals to ensure that the installation guide is being followed and for safety reasons.
How do you light up a display case?
When considering lights for a display case, size is essential to pick the correct LED light. Display cases usually benefit from having recessed under cabinet LED lights as the cases are meant to showcase specific items. These lights act as a mini spotlight and enhance the object being displayed. If the item is large, multiple recessed under cabinet lights can be placed alongside recessed linear LED lights behind or under the object for a more dramatic light effect.