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Lighting Design Dilemma Kitchens

Any ideas what we can do with this ceiling and ugly light?

2 months ago

We really want to do something with this ceiling and ugly light but we have no idea what to do. We don't have a lot of money but we can spend probably around $300 or so. More if we really need to. We don't want drop ceilings and were thinking about maybe recess lighting. Please help 🙏. Thank you. Please excuse the state of our kitchen. We're in the middle trying to fix it up and are still trying to decide on a color etc.

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Comments (5)

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Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 months ago
That fixture is easily removed and replaced with pot lights by ant decent electrician It is done all the time IMO the depth of the raised ceiling will be an issue since the light has no where to go to light up the whole space so if you do not want to drop the ceiling then you will need lighting in that box andoutside the box so under cabinets . What exactly in in the perimeter over the cabonets ? IMO remove it all to the ceiling then you can light the space properly
mindy3373 thanked Patricia Colwell Consulting
mojavemaria
2 months ago
We had the same situation and took the edge trim off and replaced the fluorescent with two round led lights.
mindy3373 thanked mojavemaria
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I like recessed lights but due to energy efficiency impacts, I have eliminated most of them as I update my home. The surface mounted ones are not bad in terms of design but the ones you have are not attractive at all. The placement of the lighting is also odd in the room. I like a layering of light in every room and I am not sure how you can achieve laying without overhead lighting. They can be easily replaced without doing recessed lights. Here are a few suggestions and I own all of the ones below: Lotus LED surface mounted that look like recessed lights. There are more options on their site but I own the 4" adjustable gimbal. This box model may be easy replacement for your existing units. George Kovacs surface mounted LED lights (very slim almost flush to the surface) Boxie LED Light from Tech Lighting There are a ton more, you just need to look for them. The prices are not outrageous and the color rendering is really good for the ones I listed above. You will need LED dimmers to get them down to the 5% dimming. Good luck!
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palimpsest
2 months ago
I would do what mojavemaria did + add a light over the sink in the soffit and undercabinet lighting.
mindy3373 thanked palimpsest
dan1888
2 months ago
Those two led lights are an OK option for area lighting. They'll create a shadow from your body wherever you work at any counter, sink or stove. Some undercabinet led lighting can help. You'll still need 450+ lumens at the counter task lighting for work zones. I'd look into tearing out the drop back to the cabinets. 4" recessed cans then can be rlaced inward above the counter edge and above the sink and stove.
mindy3373 thanked dan1888
apple_pie_order
2 months ago
For your $300 budget, you can replace the fluorescent fixture with a semi-flush fixture that holds 3 LED bulbs. Use 75-watt equivalent LED bulbs to get enough light. A semi-flush fixture will extend most or all the way out of the recessed area, so light can go sideways as well as down. See examples:

https://www.lampsplus.com/products/close-to-ceiling-lights/usage_semi-flush-mount/number-of-lights_3-lights/
mindy3373 thanked apple_pie_order

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