Whether you want to complement overhead lighting to improve visibility or give your space a warm and inviting feel, LEDs are a practical pick. Here are some of our recommendations for kitchens and dining rooms:

• • Strip lights: Designed for versatility and easy installation, LED strip lights can be trimmed or combined to fit your space.
  • Light bars: Perfect for above or under cabinet lighting, LED light bars offer a plug-and-play option that’s easy to install.
  • Smart light bulbs: Ideal for task lighting or accent lighting, LED smart bulbs are long-lasting and can be customized via smartphone app.
  • Puck lights: Popular for under and above cabinet lighting, LED puck lights can be installed singly or linked together.

Beyond their energy efficiency and easy installation, LED lights offer an array of customization options. Tunable white lights paired with the appropriate controller can be adjusted along a spectrum for brightness as well as color temperature.

The term color temperature refers to the apparent warmth or coolness of the lighting and it’s measured on a spectrum called the Kelvin scale. Warm lighting is perfect for large kitchens and dining areas. Cool lighting is optimal for visibility and neutral lighting offers a practical in-between for general use.

Warm lighting (2700K-3000K) appears yellow or even orange to the naked eye while cool lighting (5000K) is white, sometimes with a bluish tint. Mid-range temperatures between 3500K and 5000K are sometimes called neutral lighting, offering a balance of warm and cool tones.

Because they’re very energy efficient, LED lights can last up to 50,000 hours. They may last even longer when paired with an aluminum channel and cover to improve heat dissipation.

To make sure your LED lights last, avoid making these common mistakes:

• • Running the lights at full brightness. Many LED lights are customizable, so dim the lighting to the desired level to maximize their longevity.
  • Forgetting to turn them off. As with any kind of lighting, it’s best to turn LED lights off when you’re not actively using them.
  • Installing them incorrectly. Though LEDs don’t run as hot as other lighting options, they need to be installed on a clean surface with adequate airflow around the lights to prevent overheating. Installing LED strips inside an aluminum channel will help reduce their temperature even more.
  • Using the wrong power adapter. Choosing a power supply with the correct voltage and amperage required for your lights is crucial for keeping them operating at full capacity for as long as possible.

When it comes to customization, LED lighting solutions have a lot to offer. From LED strip lights to plug-and-play light bars, there’s a product for every purpose. And if you want full control over your lighting, there are even color-changing models you can control from your smartphone.

Most Flexfire LED strip lights, smart bulbs, and LED light bars are designed to connect with the Leona® Smart Home App. Using the app, you can adjust the brightness and color temperature of your lighting. You can also program custom lighting schedules to control your lights.