Sometimes the simplest designs can be the most powerful. Sofia Vergara's kitchen is ample proof of this. The actress' space is awash in white. From the white cabinets to the white marble countertops and backsplash, the shades lend a stylized, colorful look. While beautiful in their own right, there's one underrated feature that takes the kitchen idea to the next level: under-cabinet lighting.
Kitchen design experts agree that kitchen lighting plays a big role in the design of the space. Cyndy Cantley, kitchen and bathroom designer at Cantley & Company, says: Homes and Gardens: “Lighting in your kitchen is incredibly important, regardless of the color of your cabinets or countertops. When designing a white kitchen with white cabinets, there are a lot of things to consider: style, budget, time, and who will design it – all of these things will make a difference in the final look.”
Plus, this kitchen cabinet lighting idea complements the lustrous beauty of Vergara's marble countertops and backsplash. “Under-cabinet lighting has the benefit of focusing light directly onto the countertop,” says Floss Kelly, interior designer and co-founder of Yabby.
Cindy Cantley is an award-winning kitchen and bathroom designer with over 30 years of experience. She and her husband own Cantley & Company, a cabinet and design firm in Birmingham, Alabama.
“This is great for anyone who loves to spend time in the kitchen prepping and cooking food, as the added lighting adds extra functionality and makes the kitchen a bright workspace,” Kelly continues. “Under-cabinet lighting adds a certain aesthetic appeal and sophistication to the kitchen, giving it a warmer feel with its soft light.”
Kelly used her extensive design and ceramics experience, as well as her successful career in global retail, to co-found Yabby, an Australian-based kitchen and bathroom hardware company.
Vergara's lighting choices are especially effective in her white kitchen. “The lighting is very subtle,” Kelly says. H&G“In an all-white kitchen, under-cabinet lighting adds subtle contrast, adding warmth and depth to prevent the space from feeling sterile. Lighting highlights the clean lines and smooth surfaces of the white cabinets and the luxurious look of the white marble backsplash, highlighting the kitchen's unique features,” she continues.
When going for a look like this, it's important to know that not all lighting options are created equal. Choosing the right brightness and type of lighting is key to achieving the look you want. Cantley recommends: “LEDs are the new standard in under-cabinet lighting. I love a clean white light at 3000K. Have your electrician install a separate switch with a dimmer so the light is on when you need it to work and can be dimmed for dinner or used as a night light. LEDs work best when wired by a professional electrician.”
In a light-colored kitchen with lots of attention to detail, under-cabinet lighting could be a way to enhance functionality and make your kitchen stand out. With Sofia Vergara's kitchen as a reference, it's easy to see why this works.
