IMO do not have a fan in a kitchen ever. As for the light if you do not want to add more pot lights then do a track change all the bulbs in the pot lights to LED 4000K and thetrack the same 4000K LEDs you will be amazed at how much better the lighting will be

A nice looking LED track light might work

What about adding pendant lights over the island? Get an electrician to come in and add the required number of j-boxes. You'd have to do a little patching/painting to touch up but it will be worth it.

Can't tell how large your island is, but you could do two larger pendants or 3 smaller ones.

I think pendants are a geat idea . you can do 2 or 3, or what do you think about 1 large linear pendant? something like these? maybe this style will cast more loght around the room so you dont feel any loss of light that you currenlty get from fan light.

you didn't tell us what your style/interest is.

the least expensive option would be to just replace

Use the existing box.

I would wander the ceiling fixture options in your local outlet.

something affordable for you now...

as you live with it, if necessary, create upgrades to the entire space for a possible change up.

if you're fine with everything else, just address the immediate issue.

I like Brittany M’s suggestion of track lighting. Since your fixture is not centered, an asymmetrical fixture would work well.

One of the household tasks I'm putting off is having the ceiling painted, as I assume we'll need to relocate the fixture so it is centered, or otherwise equally distributed in the event of separate pendant lighting.

I think I unintentionally gave the impression I am looking for the absolute easiest/cheapest option, which is not necessarily the case - I just want something I won't regret, either due to upsetting the aesthetic or creating a dim kitchen. I am happy to cut new holes in the ceiling or whatever. Indeed, now is the time to do it, since we'll be painting the ceilings next.

I sort of like the linear pendant gtdj posted (first of the two), but I've heard mixed things about that sort of lighting. I saw someone say it creates "spots" of light, rather than filling the space. Can anyone chime in?

Thanks!

Guess it depends if you need it for tasks? I think an open glass pendant would light up an area. Depends on your style as to what to get.

Hello! We`d like to offer you some variants. Also we can customize any lighting fixture if you need to increase or decrease the length of the pendants and so on

Dining room · More Info

Dining room · More Info

Dining room · More Info

a couple things,

1. those recessed lights have a black baffle try switching that to white, while you have them out, there is a wing nut in that can that will lower the socket down to flush. so when you put that bulb back in light can actually flood out of the fixture.

2. adding a down light there will light the island but not the room. I'd like to see the whole kitchen.

3. the money spent on a fixture you might as well add more recessed. something to really think about

4. the ribbon style track lighting or any track would be the best.

That's pretty well the whole kitchen. It's basically a 15x11 room. Just cut off on the left side of my photo is my fridge and some more cabinets. You can see one of the cabinets peeking in the lower left corner. Right now we have the recessed lighting you see over the sink and oven, along with a useless one above the fridge. Would you do a perimeter of recessed lighting around the island, or where would you add more? Thanks!

Does the 3 bulb fan light the space sufficiently? If so, try to find a flush mount that holds 3 bulbs. Or do 2 flush mounts that match. https://www.houzz.com/magazine/why-its-high-time-to-reconsider-flush-mount-lights-stsetivw-vs~66328622

Do you have undercabinet lighting? If not, that would help immensely.

A flush or semi-flush fixture should do exactly what you want -- light the island and project into adjacent spaces too. Some pendants will as well, but others won't. Here are a few that seem like they could work in your space. I went with 3-lights, since you want to get enough total light; you can always add a dimmer. (Offering a range of styles, since I can't see more of your house.)

Rogue 3-Light 17" Wide Satin Nickel Flush Mount Light · More Info

Bransel Three Light Flush Mount, Brushed Nickel · More Info

Artika Bloom Fluhsmount Ceiling Light CCT, Brushed Nickel · More Info

Millennium Lighting Neo-Industrial Flushmount, Satin Nickel · More Info

Astra Collection Three-Light 18" Brushed Nickel Modern Semi-Flush Mount Light · More Info

Flynn 3-Light Brushed Nickel Flush Mount Ceiling Light With Clear Glass Shades · More Info

Modern 3-Light Flush Mount Matte Black Steel Arms Hammered Water Glass Panels · More Info

Austin Allen & Co Felicia 3-Light Semi-Flush Mount, Matte Black, 9D305A · More Info

Hope this helps you mull!

No flush mount with Edison bulbs and clear glass please.

Idk how handy you are but just lowering the bulbs is going to help a lot. but if you continue them get the LED 3000-3500k wafer style, you can replace those to the existing cans and then add to the rest of perimeter. maybe add one to center of room, then you could hang a pretty pendant over the bar or just do all recess. I have no idea your style so Im just showing examples.

Thank you all for the additional feedback (and the product suggestions - and the mockups!). Right now I am at a crossroads between form and function... which I guess is where I started. If I go with a flush mount (or semi-flush fixture), I will definitely be favoring function. I like to play around in Photoshop, too, so I had done some mockups already and didn't really love the look of the flush mounts as much as the pendants. Indeed, this is the one I am in love with right now:

For comparison, here is one of the flush mount lights:

I saw another school of thought, which is to forsake light fixtures entirely in favor of only recessed lighting. I feel like that would be too plain for me... it would be a chance to get rid of the ugly light fixture that exists, at least, but wouldn't add anything pretty.

Right now I am wondering if I should try the two pendants here, and I can convert them to pot lights later on if I hate them for some reason. And/or I can add the pendants AND more recessed lighting now, but not sure where it would make a lot of sense to add more.

Right now the fan light makes the space perfectly bright, and even illuminates that next room over. That is why I am so sensitive about "rocking the boat." That ugly fixture is a powerhouse.

My concern with both of your mock-ups is the glare from exposed bulbs. I’d go to a showroom to see if you like it in actuality.

I like pot lights for overall illumination and one pendant over the island similar to this photo.

Modern White Kitchen by Astro Design. Ottawa · More Info

I think my current light fixture's bulbs are just as exposed? Or is there something else I'm not considering?

Or are you talking about the Edison bulbs? It was my understand these fixtures could also take "regular" LEDs, which was my plan for them.

Here’s another possibility if you don’t want low hanging pendants.

Princeton Avenue · More Info

Yes, your current fixture is just as exposed as your mock-ups. If you’re not bothered by the glare, then I think you’re mock-ups would be fine.

The hanging pendants in your mock-up are lower, though, so that might make a difference with the glare factor.

if you put regular bulbs in clear glass they will glare at you, especially hung a that level. I have the Kichler light you like and it is a decorative light. it will also be very big in your space, tho i do believe they make a few sizes. if you want that, then yes, correct your task lighting first. if you just go with those pendants you WILL LOOSE LIGHT. right now your bulbs are above eye level and only the bottom is exposed.

Do try lowering the socket in your current recessed.

The one in my mockup is similar looking to the Kichler, but it is Sea Gull Baylor. Not sure if that makes it any better. The smallest rod is 6", so figured we'd use that to keep them from being too low. The biggest hurdle I see with the pendants is I can only have two of them (unless I go with a pretty small pendant) which means I'm going from three 60W bulbs to only two 60W bulbs, no matter how I hack it. So seems like I gotta a) add more recessed lighting b) pick something less cute, or c) deal with less light. :-/

I'll probably try to lower the existing bulbs in the recessed lighting as you suggest, but really that only helps the part of the room nearest to the sink.

start at the beginning, also do really measure, you island is not that big so 2 is ample. blow up a balloon or cut the size out of cardboard or something and hang from string tack it up with blue tape