We are in Florida by Tampa. So was thinking a fan. Looking at this one as it’s just the entry not much is needed. Was going to more it to put in two but that is over kill for a room we aren’t in much. Can light! Never thought of that. May consider that. Thanks

The new LED recessed lights do not require a can. You just use a hole saw to cut the hole in the sheetrock (4" hole, for example), install a small junction box (twice the size of a pack of cigarettes), and the light assembly pops up into the hole. You need almost no clearance for the light, since the housing is only about 3/4" thick. This is the type of light. https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lithonia-Lighting-Contractor-Select-Wafer-Series-6-in-2700K-3000K-3500K-Switchable-White-Integrated-1150-LM-LED-Canless-Recessed-Fixture-WF6-LED-27K30K35K-90CRI-MW-M6/308905679

Bruce

do not put a fan there it would hang too low, and also the blade pattern would run right into where the duct is, I would put in a very simple flush mount. That being said wires coming out of the ceiling light that is not to code, I would do a little more digging.

How old is your house? Has it been fully rewired? It's not at all uncommon to see ceiling fixtures with no junction boxes in old (typically pre-war) houses.

That was allowed by code with knob and tube wiring. The wires had to be encased in loom, a woven cambric tubing, for mechanical protection. The fixture canopy served as the junction box.

A more remote possibility is that there's a box in the ceiling, but some careless person patching or skim-coating the ceiling got a big glob of mud or plaster in the box.

A third possibility is that your house, or at least that outlet, was wired by an ignoramus.

As for what lights to use, you might visit a lighting store for ideas. I find fixture shopping online frustrating unless I already know exactly what I want.

I don't recommend recessed cans or disc lights except where the ceiling is so low that normal lights threaten tall people's heads.

Those fixtures are all direct light. What you want for good even lighting is a combination of direct light (fixture to room) and indirect light (fixture to ceiling to room). Reading or working under cans is like reading or working in direct sun. Reading under indirect light is more like reading in the shade on a summer day - more relaxing, and better for the eyes.

Also, be aware that some LED disc lights have surprisingly low efficacy (lumens per watt). Compared to normal surface mount fixtures with retrofit LED bulbs in them, some of them use twice as much electricity for a given amount of light.

Great response from all, thank you. The main part of the house was built in 1952. An extension was put on in the 80’s when this section was built. We are adding a new master and bath suite in the back. It has had new wiring done with the remodeling then redone when we put in solar and a generator both much needed in Tampa area! I’ll have our electrician have a look see to check out the can vs whatever issue. Hopefully no cans of pennies holding the light in! My dad fixed a fan like that once so I trust nothing anyone else does!