Drop ceiling & recessed lighting

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

My home was built in the 80’s and has the typical drop down ceiling with a large florescent box lighting. The current fixture is broken which gives me the excuse to update the lighting in here. I domt have the funds to completely raise the ceiling so i need help with this. I’m debating on a couple of options and of course open to new ones.

1. Remove the flourescent lighting box and create a tray/inverted ceiling and install canned LED lighting inside of the tray ceiling. My concern, will this illuminate the entire kitchen space or will it create a spotlight effect? Theres been suggestions to paint the inside of the tray ceiling white, install crown molding on the inside ceiling, etc. bcuz in the words of my cousin “anything is better then this ****” also, if i were to this, should i add additional recessed lighting outside of the tray ceiling? If so, where?

2. Leave the ceiling low, remove the box and just close it up even with the rest of the ceiling and install Recessed lighting at the current height. If so, how should i place the lighting?

the kitchen space is small, but i cant stand a dark room, just trying to get the best solution. Otherwise i may just end up replacing the current fixture. See attached photos.

thanks in advance!

Kitchen drop ceiling · More Info

Kitchen drop ceiling · More Info

Kitchen drop ceiling · More Info

Kitchen drop ceiling · More Info

Featured Answer

decoenthusiaste

8 years ago

I would start by adding LED lighting under the upper cabinets and see how much help that is. Up the wattage in the can over the sink. Close the box and add matching cans. Two over the island, one at the corner cabinets one at the stove, one at the pantry. More pix will help solve this. Lighting the interior of a box won't help much.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

suezbell
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
There appear to be vents in the ceiling in addition to the lighting; if so that issue would need to be addressed if you remove the dropped ceiling.

Keep in mind that any ceiling with beams needs to have the lights below the beams or you could end up with shadows and a room darker than you want.

You might consider replacing or covering the existing ceiling material in the same size and shape as your island, perhaps with wood that goes well with your cabinets, and adding a totally different kind of light -- Tiffany style cut glass in a rectangle shape or:

https://www.amazon.com/LB72133-Ceiling-Lighting-Antique-Brushed/dp/B018WEOBBO

LB72132 LED Flush Mount Ceiling Lighting Oval, Antique Brushed Nickel, 32-Inch 3000K Warm White, 2800 Lumens, Energy Star
Related Professionals
Clarksville Furniture & Accessories · Cleveland Furniture & Accessories · Bloomington Interior Designers & Decorators · Lawrence Interior Designers & Decorators · North Adams Interior Designers & Decorators · Newark Interior Designers & Decorators · Guymon Interior Designers & Decorators · Carbondale Architects & Building Designers · Richmond Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Aurora Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Montréal Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Knoxville Kitchen Remodelers · Portsmouth Kitchen Remodelers · Kahului Kitchen Remodelers · Oneonta Custom Countertops
mcain002
Original Author
8 years ago
I added a few more photos. Thank you for your suggestions! Thats kind of what i was leaning towards, just working with the low ceiling. Thank you for the placement ideas, I was lost with that. So with your suggestions, i would add lighting under cabinets, close up the current lighting and install 5 canned fixtures and replace the current one over the sink for a total of 6.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
Here's what you'll see when the acrylic comes down.

Here are inexpensive options. Pick one.
Margaret Williams
8 years ago
BeverlyFLADeziner has great ideas–I particularly would go with the first option for recessed lightning with the lights all around the perimeter of the recessed part of the ceiling.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
8 years ago
Thank you MW. : )