Popular Woodworking 2006-08 № 156, страница 50

Even when planning ahead isn't an option (such as when you're upgrading a kitchen), attractive and beneficial undermount lighting can be added to cabinetry without looking clunky. The three-fixture halogen unit shown here mounts below the upper cabinet and provides bright but unobtrusive lighting to a commonly used area.

the room. By adding rope lighting above wall-hung kitchen cabinetry, a soft glow is thrown on the ceiling and walls, providing nice accent lighting.

Undermount lighting is a lighting concept, but it's also a phrase used to commonly refer to self-contained lighting fixtures that are mounted under kitchen wall cabinets. The fixtures are larger and are designed to mount to a cabinet surface. They're used primarily as task lighting for shadowed or difficult-to-light areas such as the sink or counter. The light fixtures themselves can be multi-bulb halogen or incandescent lights, or fluorescent fixtures. While rope lighting could also be used for this application, the light from undermount fixtures is designed to be brighter and can be directed down on the work surface, rather than splashing across a large area.

Every lighting fixture will offer slightly different effects in your cabinetry. But I guarantee that a piece of furniture designed to display items is much more effective and dramatic when a little light shines on the subject.

Conclusion

As I mentioned early in the chapter, the specialty items shown throughout the chapter are only a small selection of the accessories that are now available to upgrade, specialize and customize your custom casework.

But all of these special accessories are only icing on the cake. The information provided throughout this series will allow you to build sturdy and beautiful casework for every room in your house. Don't be afraid to experiment and have fun along the way. PW

Coming Next Issue: A New Series on Setting Up Shop

Our next "Woodworking Essentials" series will take an in-depth look at what it takes to make your woodworking shop as efficient and practical as possible. Whether your shop is in the basement next to the laundry room or in a four-car garage behind the house, we'll look at the things you can do to customize and improve where you do your woodworking.

Chapter 1 ■ The Right Location

Chapter 2 ■ Lighting and Electrical Concerns

Chapter 3 ■ Choosing and Placing Machinery

Chapter 4 ■ Hand and Small Tool Organization

Chapter 5 ■ Materials Storage

Chapter 6 ■ Dust Collection

Chapter 7 ■ Workstations and Benches

Popular Woodworking