skip to main content

Lighting Kitchens Remodeling

Ideas for kitchen update - box light, countertops?

2 months ago

last modified: 2 months ago

Hi - looking to update our kitchen a little bit and the first issue is this huge box light - it is going bad, but is the light that is wired to our main switches (2 way switches). What would you put here instead? We have tons of recessed lighting around the kitchen already.

Next - has anyone painted countertops? These leaf green countertops are hideous and I'm looking for a cost-effective way to upgrade.

I would love all ideas! This kitchen is straight out of the 90s, but we have a huge deck/sunroom project that needs to happen first, so that's why I'm not tearing out and redoing at this point. I joke that I'll have nice things when my kids grow up. Ha!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (3)

Linda
2 months ago
For refinishing your countertop at a low cost, check out Miracle Method. They are known more for bathtub resurfacing but can do other surfaces, too. We had it applied to an old laminate bathroom counter and it was a nice budget update (but very smelly so do it on a nice day when you can have windows open). Plain old laminate is also a budget choice and there are many choices out there now. It's fairly easy to DIY.

As far as lighting, do you need general lighting? If so, I'd just add more recessed lighting. Once you're ready for a full remodel, then you can take a more systematic approach to designing a lighting scheme for the room.
cat_ky
2 months ago
Remove the box, fill in any screw holes etc, sand it well, prime it and paint the entire ceiling. Once done, add a nice light fixture where the box with wiring in it is.
Related Discussions
need ideas for super-cheap kitchen update
Q
Comments (37)
I am in awe of the progress and the difference, kdw72697 !!! And your Little Helpers are just toooo precious! Let us know as soon as you decide what you are going to do with the track lighting, and any other changes, of course! :) THIS is my kind of Topic....anything to do with the words "Super-Cheap", and I'm there. Fantastic Suggestions throughout this topic and I'm so grateful you all posted them! Everyone who posted pics....THANK YOU! I am always on the look-out for new ideas, inspiration, anything "budget-minded" to freshen up my own home. The colors you've used, the kitchen set-up...all ideas that motivate and inspire me! Igloochic, Your home....always an inspiration at every turn...especially since I use paint and paint techniques to create something a little nicer than the norm (the 'norm' that I can't even afford!) ....I've used your home pics more than once to get me motivated. Here's my latest budget project...maybe someone else can benefit from it in their own budget-minded kitchen. Real Travertine Tile Trim was NOT in the budget but the discounted/discontinued tiles we purchased looked so nekkid without something on top (the discontinued tiles didn't have bull-nose or anything close to matching). A length of cheapy wood chair rail molding, some left-over stucco in the bag from an earlier window re-do and my paints and some good sealer..... (I DID resize these pics to make them smaller...I hope it worked!)
...See More
Inexpensive kitchen update ideas would be appreciated
Q
Comments (6)
Change the receptacle and cover plate on the cabinet end to something that blends in better. Larger pendants. New hardware. No paint on the cabinets. White or light aqua color paint. No beige or grey. Fridge surround down the road when you replace the refrigerator. Since you have limited counter space, I would replace the range hood with a microwave/ hood combination. Not ideal but it would free up a lot of counter. New counter tops. I would try to eliminate the raised ledge and have a wider, one level counter on the sink peninsula. Edited to add that I would put some dimmable LED tape lights on top of the cabinets, too. In addition to the under cabinet lights you've already installed.
...See More
Update ceiling lights, fan, independent electrician or big box store?
Q
Comments (4)
The best thing would be to buy based on price (which will likely be at a big box store), and install them yourself or get a knowledgeable friend to help. I've never had a problem returning the occasional defective product to a big box store. Switching out light fixtures is one of the most basic DIY projects you can do and it's pretty easy to quickly read up on how to do it, or get a friend to help. I'm no electrician, but I taught myself enough over the years to know what I'm doing, and I've helped quite a few incompetent friends do this. Turn off the breaker(s) supplying the power, take down the old fixture, and mark the wires; then hook the wires up the same way for the new fixture, and attach it to the box. It always pains me to see someone buy fixtures and then spend more on an electrician to install them than the fixtures cost. Resolve to teach yourself this basic skill, and have an experienced friend available who can help if you are unsure.
...See More
Kitchen Refresh. Need 'outside the box' ideas!
Q
Comments (12)
Well it feels like my kitchen remodel took forever but since my post above was 2 months ago that's not so bad. So, update because I love before & afters: Although I considered reconfiguring the island shape and removing/replacing the bead board after the comments above; now that we are finished I'm happy with the results. (And honestly I didn't want to deal w/ the floors if I changed the island & I am choosing to ignore the bead board which I still do not like). Removing the hood, rebuilding it & wrapping it in statuary marble was quite a costly endeavor but getting rid of that bulky hood & exchanging all the brown for arctic white quartz really lightened the room. We are loving our Hellman range though there is a learning curve! Other updates include new hardware, new blanco sink, added a pot filler & new faucet.
...See More
wdccruise
2 months ago
@cat_ky: "Remove the box, fill in any screw holes etc, sand it well..."
- That's a textured ceiling so you can't just "sand it well". You don't know the condition of the ceiling inside the light. Remove the plastic panels and examine what's above before deciding what to do. It does draw one's attention. If you decided it was too difficult to remove, you might just paint it to, say, match the color of the surrounding soffits or white.
- Search youtube for "paint laminate countertops". Lots of cases there.
- The beige recessed lights with BR bulbs scream (well, to me) old. I'd consider spray painting the trim to match the ceiling (or wall color or, for example, silver or black) and replacing what are probably BR30 bulbs with flat-lens PAR30 bulbs (probably "short neck" so that bulbs do not extend below the ceiling).
-- amateur

Related Stories

KITCHEN DESIGN Idea of the Week: Two-Arm Lights in the Kitchen

By Vanessa Brunner

Shake up your kitchen lighting by using a unexpected fixture in a practical way

KITCHEN COUNTERTOPS New This Week: 3 Kitchen Countertop Ideas You Haven’t Heard Of

By Mitchell Parker

Uncommon materials and details introduce statement-making design into these spaces

Let There Be Light! Kitchen Window Ideas

FARMHOUSES Kitchen of the Week: Modern Update for a Historic Farmhouse Kitchen

By Becky Harris

A renovation honors a 19th-century home’s history while giving farmhouse style a fresh twist

KITCHEN DESIGN Kitchen Layouts: Ideas for U-Shaped Kitchens

By KitchenLab Interiors

U-shaped kitchens are great for cooks and guests. Is this one for you?

KITCHEN DESIGN 3 Dark Kitchens, 6 Affordable Updates

By Jennifer Ott Design

Color advice: Three Houzzers get budget-friendly ideas to spruce up their kitchens with new paint, backsplashes and countertops

KITCHEN MAKEOVERS Before and After: 3 Bold Light-and-Dark Kitchen Makeovers

By Kyle Troutman

These remodels mix deep blacks and grays, white countertops and updated wood cabinets for better function and contrast

FARMHOUSES Cottage Kitchen Goes From Dark and Gloomy to Light and Bright

By Bryan Anthony

Shiplap walls and light countertops replace dark wallpaper and avocado green countertops in this Wisconsin kitchen

KITCHEN LIGHTING How to Properly Light Your Kitchen Counters

By David K Warfel at LightCanHelpYou.com

Discover these 6 professional tips for lighting your countertops and other kitchen workspaces

KITCHEN DESIGN 6 Kitchens, 6 DIY Updates

By Vanessa Brunner

Get inspired to give your own kitchen a fresh look with ideas from these affordable, do-it-yourself fixes

More Discussions

please help exterior design

18

How to maximize space in this basement?

5

11

Kitchen Cabinet recommendations?

12

Flat Roof - Bathroom Exhaust Fan Recommendations

1