San Francisco Bay Area - Kitchen lighting help needed - what can I replace the fluorescent strips with?

by houstonpicky

Kitchen lighting help needed - what can I replace the fluorescent strips with?

Need help in replacing the horrible fluorescent strip lights in my kitchen! It is south facing but not terribly light as it only has a small window over the sink, though the adjacent breakfast area is lovely and bright. We find we keep the light over the island on a lot. Our color scheme is pale grey walls and I am about to get all the cabinets, doors and trim painted white. The ceilings are fairly low so we need something flush to the ceiling. Our style is fairly modern but we have to live with the traditional cabinet style.
Any ideas greatly appreciated!

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jamtan1 How about some low hanging ceiling lights

5 months ago · Like

houstonpicky Not too keen on something low hanging as I like clean lines and the ceilings are pretty low and we are pretty tall. Worth considering for over the island, but still have the other light to deal with. Thanks

5 months ago · Like ·

Deborah Butler, Brickwood Builders Track lighting is an option and more contemporary.

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5 months ago · Like ·

onthefence Maybe something like a monorail light that would allow you the choice of the number and style of lamps attached?

5 months ago · Like ·

Interiors International, Inc. I would put in recessed cans around the work areas and pendents over the island. You will most likely need an electrician for this but it would be well worth the money.

5 months ago · Like ·

houstonpicky What kind of pendants might work? 3 or 4? Thanks

5 months ago · Like

bonnieth I like the fixture over your dining room table, will you be keeping it?

5 months ago · Like

houstonpicky Bonneith - keeping the fixture over the breakfast table. It was from Ikea and we love it. Thanks

5 months ago · Like

Harrut Hi
Here is an idea along the lines you have suggested you might be interested in looking at!

5 months ago · Like

sealedesign Ikea has some fixtures that would work. I would see how those fixtures are connected to the ceiling. Are you going to have to paint the ceiling after installation? I'd get a long fixture with center mount, add under counter lights, add over counter lights. Get all this from Ikea.

5 months ago · Like

sealedesign Or you could just live with what you have and bring interest in with other things. It does look neat so there's lots of room for personality.

5 months ago · Like

groveraxle The best route for appearance and lots of light would be recessed cans. That would require opening up the ceiling. Easier would be cable lights which you could probably do yourself. They are as versatile as track lighting and you can get all kinds of fixtures from spots to pendants. Monorail and track would also work.

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Artfully Arranged

5 months ago · Like

Charles Lane I agree that pendants over center island and small (3" or 4") recessed cans ear work areas. I would also highly recommend under counter lights (like "hockey puck" lights) for great work surface lighting. They all can also be put on dimmers so you can create a nice ambiance when entertaining. Might also suggest alone wall color with the white cabinets. Nice layout and design!!

5 months ago · Like

Toni Sabatino I love Deborah Butler's idea of monorail track. Where the light is in the traffic area you could have those small poitionable pieces and another track with hanging pendants mixed with the smaller positionable type over the island. Tech has some really great pieces to put that together. These can be put on dimmers as well.. check out .http://www.techlighting.com/

5 months ago · Like

kro9o I like pendants, but you need to make sure it compliments the Ikea fixture. Here's an idea...

5 months ago · Like

kobley I know that you are asking about lights but you could also change out your cabinet hardware to something more contemporary. You might like the look better.

5 months ago · Like

Sheryl Horton If possible, use recessed lights on a dimmer with the proper spread & wattage. American Lighting Association has good guidelines. Install pendants on a dimmer over the island, & most important, add undercabinet lighting! Use good quality LED fixtures (not home center) for the undercabinet fixtures with the proper color temperature bulbs to enhance food & for less heat. Try outwater plastics online.
Do change your hardware!

5 months ago · Like

houstonpicky Loads of great ideas. Thanks!
Am very interested in the comments on hardware. I would love to change them but have no clue what could look more modern with the cabinets. Would appreciate some ideas. Thanks so much!

5 months ago · Like ·