Lighting stores sell diferent styles of replacement covers but they must be cut to size. If the covers are discolored you have little choice but replace them but cutting is tedious and time consuming to say the least. The lighting look's stark in pics. Daylight is common in kitchens but imo 3,000 to 3,500 Kelvin tubes emit a more relaxing/pleasant light. Since you have so many lights,low wattage tubes would also be recommended. Perhaps a tube change might give you a better look.

Other than making major changes in that lighting element (or modifications as suggested by klem1, which sound like they could very well help, but I am not familiar with specifics on how to modify fluorescent lighting); but If it were my space, I think I would change the ceiling light to something more interesting, design-wise, and put the ceiling light on a dimmer - and bring in some under cabinet lighting (if you don't have that already), and I just wouldn't use the fluorescent lighting. If it were my own house/condo, etc., I think I might take that lighting feature out completely - and either have no lighting in that ceiling area bordering the kitchen, or I would install some other type of lighting... maybe track lighting, something very sparse and subtle, or some type of recessed lighting, perhaps. But if you are interested in making any major changes like that, I think you would benefit from a consult with a lighting designer, electrician, etc.

I just did a quick search, looking for some type of film(s) that might cover the panels and make them more pleasing light wise, design wise, etc. This is one site that has some info on that, you might get some additional ideas. http://www.feelgoodlightups.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiLzZwLDd1wIVmIqzCh1rcQ2yEAAYASAAEgLu5_D_BwE.

Some more ideas here. https://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=decorative+fluorescent+light+covers&tag=googhydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=177791521130&hvpos=1t2&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10763725100661548064&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=b&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9004163&hvtargid=kwd-1222566528&ref=pd_sl_sxo4c8fpl_b

Lighting is never ugly, its what surrounds it. So if you can, change out the shingles to a more modern stainless , it could look very cool.

A cover along these lines could diffuse the light and offers an effect similar to recessed lighting.

Do you have cement ceilings?

Thanks all for the great ideas. I am not really keen on the shingle look, so maybe a tear out and moving to under cabinet lights would be a good way to go.

Eggcrate lenses will have to be cut to fit, but you can get them at Lowes or HD in white, chrome or brass finishes

No, Studio MB, lighting can be ugly. The world (and this forum) is full of examples of ugly lighting that is the wrong color, the wrong fixture, and wrong for the room it's in.

The faux shingling on these lights is atrocious, but the light they give off is even worse. It's a horrid design for task lighting that casts a shadow when you're working in the space, and the light in the center of the room doesn't help at all.

I think the current light box shingle thing dates the kitchen and does not place the light well in the room.

Take out the odd lighting above. Crown to ceiling or soffit it to match ceiling.

Install lighting under cabinets.

Maybe some recessed lighting, too.

Hope that helps.

tatts-light is beautiful, it is just how it is presented.

I agree. The shingle thing is atrocious and the thought that someone actually paid for that astounds me. I'm going for the tear out and box it in with drywall. I just have to decide if I want to go with under cabinet lighting or install recessed.

Steve J,

I was thinking the same thing. . I am absolutely amazed that someone actually paid for that.... actually had something like that designed. Unbelievable.

In terms of light options: You could do some of both. Under cabinet would be nice to have in your space, and you could do recessed, as well. So it doesn't have to be one or the other - unless you want it to be. People do both. If you're doing under cabinet, you might want to go a bit more sparse on your recessed, because you won't need as much overhead lighting. But you can really tailor it all to suit your personal needs and preferences.

I'm glad you're tearing it out. It's a ridiculous design. And I am not one to so easily discard existing features in spaces; but this one, I would absolutely tear out.

You may enjoy another discussion where the shingles have a squirrel, too. https://www.houzz.com/discussions/my-kitchen-has-a-roof-dsvw-vd~731728?n=32

I would be desperate to remove it and the florescent lights. LED's under the upper cabinets and replace overhead light with track lights that can be directed to light up the face of the cabinets.

I have never seen this shingle application in a residence before. I can't see why someone would be like " hey, man, this would be cool. Let's shingle above these cabinets."

I wonder if there is more behind this & that was the best they could come up with to hide it.

I suggest opening up some areas to inspect what is going on behind the shingle lighting before doing a total rip. Hopefully nothing is behind it & whoever did this was just bizarre.

Even if it is something behind there, now you know & can adjust accordingly. It can still can be built over in a much, more attractive way.

I remember someone ripping into soffits above cabinets & found a bunch of piping & had to redo because they didn't peak into 1st.

2nd, install under cabinet lighting, which will make a huge difference right away. Or at least some temporary light under to see the difference.

That will help determine where more lighting is needed in the space after. Dimmer switch is a nice feature to add.

then go full force into the demolition of shingle thing and install other desired lighting.

This improvement will be rewarding to the space.

Best regards to your project. An after picture would be great to see.

I've seen in in a hardware store that sold shingles. Maybe the owner before was a roofer!

What material is the ceiling?

Sorry , but I would just guy the whole room. Why waste money on just patching it up. Ikea has really affordable kitchen cabinets and you can find sinks, faucets and even appliances on Craigslist. People buy things all the time that they don’t end up using. I’ve purchased 3 bathroom vanities from Craigslist at a fraction of the retail price. All well made, one even Restoration Hardware.

Love the squirrel story!

Gut