Maybe do a raised ceiling?

Here is a link that might be useful:

Good idea pinch me! That would give the option of track lighting or even 2 flush mounts. I also think it would add airiness and space to the kitchen making it seem larger.

That's basically what I had in mind. I never thought of it, but I could add chamfers to the corners to make a rectangular octagon, rather than a plain box. Tapering the sides in slightly would make it more like a design feature rather than 'Look how we tried to obscure the old design'.

I wonder what the thinking was behind dropping the ceiling in the kitchen (and the bathrooms). Take the hottest, most humid rooms in the house, and don't give the air anywhere to go!

Also paint it with flat paint. :)

WOW you built those cute cabinet doors!! Amazing talent.

It is hard work but if you can tear down the ceiling
and raise it you will be so thrilled. You can
put in some beautiful lighting. Even above cab lights
that shine to the ceiling to stretch the space.

It is hard work but can definitely be done and paint
it a fun color to bring excitement into your space.
The ceiling is the 5th wall.
~bp

If you are selling, you may just want to paint the dark trim white and call it a day.
Turning it into a tray ceiling in the middle would actually be more interesting to me than raising the entire ceiling. It would probably be easier for you too. I like your idea of rope lighting for ambiance.

This one is smaller, but after removing the grid and trim we added a flexible track light from Ikea. We just need a little joint compound and paint to fix it up.

Photo for above post

They may have done the lower ceiling instead of fur down just over the cabinets. That type of construction was common at the time. Now the cabinets are either open above or use taller cabinets to the ceiling.

I saw something similar on HGTV Design to Sell, I think. Anyway, they took out the old fixture, fixed any holes and repainted, then mounted a new light fixture.

It was similar to Steff's picture but a bigger box, like yours, and a simple light fixture. They tied in a similar light, over the sink and kitchen table...it looked really nice :)

I agree the trey idea would be great.
~boxer

I definitely like the thought of a raised ceiling where the current light is. Willow Decor put beadboard on the raised part of her ceiling and it turned out very pretty.

Here is a link that might be useful: Willow Decor / Kitchen Reno

Beadboard would work well with my beadboard cabs. I'm starting to feel better about this!

Steff 1

Thanks for posting that. We're about to buy a small condo with a very similar kitchen and it has the same ceiling. Your post was an inspiration!

Robin

You might want to use the beadboard wallpaper up there. Worth a consideration, although the panels shouldn't be too hard to handle in that space.

My mind's eye thinks putting an eyecatching finish on there will make the ceiling seem lower....???

This is how I did mine

Here is a link of a builder with several examples of tray ceilings. You may be able to find inspiration in them.

Here is a link that might be useful: builder site with tray ceiling examples

I agree-take out the box and have a tray but make sure your lights hand down far enough that the tray doesn't shadow your counter tops. If your did some time of center light and added a cove type trim on the upper edge with rope lights it would look awsome.

Another vote for the tray and some sort of drop down lights or lights. Something that will clear the bottom of the recess, but not interefere with the fridge door or cabinet doors, or a tall person's head. Trim out the box with molding so that it looks intentional and not an afterthought. Maybe even use beadboard in the recessed area to mimic the beadboard cabinets.

Now I'm not saying get these, but this style of semi-flush or pendant that looks good on a shortish chain:

I've sold 3 houses in the past 7 years and none of my houses lingered on the market. Some free advice is to PAINT. People on this board are fixated on kitchen details, so they notice the awesome cabinets, fixtures, countertops and backsplash, but your average Joe Homebuyer will just see a stark white kitchen and oldish appliances.

As Palimpsest said, go dead flat on the ceiling. Benjamin Moore makes one of the best dead flat ceiling paints. Go with a color about 50% lighter than your walls. The walls should be a neutral. I have found that golden-toned neutrals are great, stick with natural earth toned colors, especially in the main areas (hallways, family room, living room). You can google "paint colors that sell" for ones realtors and stagers use. Be sure it works with your lighting. If you're planning a statement color like blue or green, that's fine, just make sure it relates to the other rooms. Red is not recommended as a wall color. People have strong opinions about red, love it or hate it. A red hater will just think the trouble to paint over it is not worth the time or money and pass your house by.

Stage your house. I've done this for all my houses and it works. People have a hard time visualizing their stuff in an empty space, but if your "stuff" overpowers the house, they'll remember that too and look elsewhere. It doesn't have to be expensive. EDIT your stuff, pack away everything especially personalized items like pictures, everything except the necessities. Use your own furniture, artwork and accessories or borrow from family/friends. It's only temporary! Buy only if you have to and consider craigslist before buying new. Use plants, they give the place "life". In the 1st and 2nd houses we sold, we had to use fake as it was on the market while we were living out of town for one, out of state for the other. For the 3rd, we were living 40 minutes away. I used live plants with those as seen on TV aquaglobes. I've drive over once a week to refill. A great book I recommend you read is Ready, Set, Sold! by Michael Corbett. It's a few years old, but the local library or 1/2 Price Books might have it. He has great simple tips for staging and where to spend your money & where to save.

Here's some images from my 2 most recent houses. For some reason I can't find the 1st houses images on my computer.

Brentwood, CA on market 5/2006 sold 11/2006 (beginning of downturn in CA market, had a buyer fall through)

Good luck with your house!
Kathe