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rusugiru

Replace flush kitchen light w/o painting ceiling

last month
last modified: last month



I want to update this fluorescent kitchen light fixture. The area where it attaches to the ceiling measures 10" x 47". If I don't at least cover that footprint with the new fixture, the area where it used to be will be obvious and unsightly because of the slightly different ceiling paint color underneath. I can't see how to repaint that area alone and match it to the surrounding area, as I have no idea what paint was used (but I remember it wasn't standard ceiling paint). Painting the whole ceiling is unfeasible due to the open-plan design, meaning that the area that would need to be repainted is basically the whole story of the house.

So to keep things simple, I'm looking for suggestions for a minimum 10" x 47" flush-mount light that looks less 1990s than this one. Everything that I've found so far has been an integrated LED light fixture. I'm not interested in a fixture that I will have to replace in a year or so. It has to have a replaceable bulb.

Comments (14)

  • last month

    Paint the wood frame as lisedv says, then replace the fluorescent tubes with LED tubes that are made for exactly that purpose.


    There really isn't anything that looks as good as what you have that will fit the paint footprint (been there, done that).


    The "updated" styles are pretty much all unfortunately integrated LED.

    rusugiru thanked apple_pie_order
  • last month

    Maybe try painting it white, as finding a non-LED light in the exact size will not be easy.

    rusugiru thanked Maureen
  • last month

    you could leave the wood framework and add this unit over the top.

    Paint the wood or leave it as is.

    https://farmhouzelight.com/products/5-light-rectangular-cage-flush-mount-ceiling-light

    rusugiru thanked Lyn Nielson
  • last month

    If only it were four inches longer...

  • PRO
    last month

    What you have is a surface mount, not a flush mount.

  • last month

    You could fasten a panel to the ceiling to cover the footprint of the existing light. Wood (to match cabinets) or painted white (any slight difference from the ceiling paint won’t be noticeable since it’ll be a separate piece with different texture).


    Then hang the light of your choice from that panel.

  • PRO
  • last month

    I was going to suggest some kind of rectangular base even if it is wood stained or painted and then any light you find suitable for that location.

    rusugiru thanked Nova
  • last month

    Yes, I was thinking about the idea of fastening a panel to the ceiling, but I am not sure where to get one or how to safely attach it to the ceiling.

  • last month

    Piece of wood, screw to joists, paint.

    Wood need only be 1/4” thick unless you are planning on an unusually heavy light fixture in which case 1/2” . Thinner is better, visually, I think.

    You can go to a lumber shop, and find a suitable material, and have them cut it to your dimensions. Maybe a piece of Baltic birch plywood or other high grade finish plywood with minimal edge voids. Sand it a bit, fill any edge voids with wood filler or spackle, paint it, screw it to joists.

    To find joists, take off the current light fixture, it should be screwed to joists and if there is an electrical box it should be attached to a joist, joists are 16” apart.

    It would be good to do this when you have your desired new light fixture ready to install, since you’ll need to cut/drill holes in the wood panel for wires. If you’re doing pendants, then multiple holes.

    Paint on smooth wood will look a little different than paint on drywall, so don’t expect the panel to “disappear” into the ceiling.

    If all that sounds like more hassle and work than you want, then alternative is go to a paint store and return with lots of sample chips, find the paint that matches, and repaint the ceiling. You will find something very very close, I’m sure.

    rusugiru thanked John Liu
  • PRO
    last month

    You could have a handy man, unless you are handy enough and make your own ceiling medallion. Just paint it white and then you can paint the center white and don't have to do the whole ceiling.


    Good luck!

    rusugiru thanked Debbi Washburn
  • PRO
    last month

    If you want downlights, you can always suspend a panel and use wafer lights recessed in the panel.


    rusugiru thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
  • last month

    BeverlyFLADeziner: This looks great! Is this something you can buy ready-made?