Ugh! Fluorescent Lights!

Have you thought of just surrounding them with something cute?

Research Houzz.com/slanted ceiling lights. They show some very interesting light fixtures that would work well in your kitchen.

I don't see why that track lighting wouldn't work... unless your ceiling is really super duper slanted.

You already have two ceiling lights. Track lighting would look great.

I agree with the "Ugh! Fluorescent Lights"!!! I had similar lights in my kitchen and a water leak right above the light damaged the ceiling and forced me into action. I replaced the fluo fittings with three industrial dome fittings hanging from the ceiling. To make up for the loss of bright light, I installed LED strips under the top cupboards in the areas where I felt better light was needed. I also worried that the kitchen would be darker, but the different ambience created is pure joy and I love the fact that the lighting could be subtle by switching on individual area lights or equally bright if all the lights are in use.

I am in the electrical contracting business, and I'm with you. I hate fluorescent lighting in the home. There are so may possibilties for you, but whatever you choose, you will have to repair the ceiling when the troffers are removed. That being said, it will be totally worth it. There are so many options, and I believe if you like track, it will work. Please do look at all the gorgeous pendant lighting fixtures available though. I recently changed the ugly light over my sink to a 3-light jelly jar fixture and it puts out more light than the recessed can I replaced and I love the look. There are so many industrial look pendants as well. Please share what you do! I'd love to see.

Though I am not looking forward to repairing the ceiling after those awful lights are gone. On the bright side (lighting humor ), my brother is an electrician so I won't have worry about burning the house down. If only did drywall too...

There is rarely good remarks about fluorescent lighting...BUT...please keep in mind that as we age, less thought for fashion comes into play than need! LOL

I can't see to chop up garlic in soft lighting...and yes, I love the frig covered in photos...I see my friends and babies daily! And the cereal on top of frig...If I put it away, it is "out of sight and out of mind" so why have it! LOL

But we can still have folks over for a delightful Thanksgiving with fun for all!

Remember florescent lighting is very inexpensive to run and replace, and they are very long lasting, while many of those 'fancy' and track lights use way more electricity and cost of bulbs can be outrageous, and many are very short lived.

I replaced mine but moved the florescent fixtures to the garage ceiling. Now I love the kitchen lights and I love the light in the garage

Track lighting has come a long way and become energy efficient compared to when they first cam out. Now you can get all kinds of bulb configurations. No more are they just halogen bulbs. They are available in all types of track heads and bulbs. Led, Par, MR16, and Low Voltage. Track lighting is one of the most commonly used and misunderstood of the lighting system types. It is a powerful tool for a lighting designer but can also be rather confusing without an understanding of some basic track lighting principles. Because track lighting is very directional, track systems perform best as accent lights or task lights. They do not work well providing general light in large rooms. Also, track lighting requires the assembling of different components to make a complete system.

Track is a surface mounted channel that holds the lighting units (or 'heads') in place and brings power to them. Because it is surface mounted, track is particularly easy to install, especially in remodels. The track is usually mounted to the ceiling but it can be mounted to a wall, a beam or dropped from the ceiling on stems or cables. Power is usually fed to the track from the end (an "end feed" or "live end") but it can be powered from anywhere along the channel with special adapters. There are also adapters that allow for various track layout configurations; corners ("L") and branches ("T") are the most common. Normally the various track components are only compatible within a given product line, which means that company A parts will not fit on company B track.

There are a dizzying variety of track heads to choose from though the differences are mainly cosmetic. Two track heads may look very different, but if they hold the same lamp (or light bulb), then the light output will be much the same. Most track heads use directional lamps of some kind and in general I recommend the PAR lamps as a starting point. They are line voltage halogen or LED, are energy efficient, have good optics and excellent color quality.

When the lighting needs are particularly demanding my other favorite lamp is the low voltage halogen, (usually the MR-16). This lamp is mainly used as an accent light because its precise beam control causes shadowing that can interfere with tasks. Most of the heads that use the low voltage lamps have the transformer built into them so they can be used on the same track as the PARs. Both the PAR and MR-16 lamps are available in most hardware stores.

Remember, all light fixtures, but particularly track are just glorified light bulb holders, you are choosing the proper lamp and finding a way to hold it in space. Ideally one would pick the appropriate lamp for a given application (task, accent, wall wash) and then find a track head that will hold it. There are many track heads that hold fluorescent lamps, and these are quite cost-effective in commercial applications.

The beauty of a track system is its versatility. The track layout can be expanded or reconfigured, one can move the heads around, add more, change types, point them in different directions, and so on. This flexibility can be the cause of some problems when it comes to placement. To avoid glare and shadows track lights should shine at a near wall or directly down on a work surface. Keeping in mind that track is mainly an accent and task light, in most rooms the points of interest (artwork, furniture, architectural details) are at the perimeter as are the tasks, so the track should be placed 18 -36 inches out from the wall for most normal room heights. The higher the ceiling the farther out. The down side of track is that one sees the fixtures and it can look a bit cluttered especially in a low ceiling application. However, in the proper setting a well-planned out track system can add much to the decor. Much of this information applies equally well to recessed lighting.

Replace the fluorescent bulbs with the new modern LCD bulbs, you will be very happy with the light from the new style bulbs.

Since your brother is an electrician, why not do LED recessed lighting where you need it. :)

Since you enjoy the light they give off instead of replacing them look for some unique diffusers that will fit in the light fixture.

If you put full-spectrum bulbs in, they would look like skylights. But then, everyone would be in the kitchen with you. They tend to attract.

I agree with replacing your old light covers/diffusers. You can buy decorative ones which I did years ago and it looked really pretty and not expensive!

The first thing we did when we bought our house was to get rid of the ugly fluorescent lighting in the kitchen and put up curved track lighting like you see in "momendeavors" Photo. We love it. We use LED bulbs. There were a few patches to be made but that is unavoidable and very easy to do with a little paint and patching compound. Good luck! Linda

Was at a friend's house recently and she had a wooden frame (think window frame) built around her fluorescent light and it was painted. Looked very stylish.