70's recessed lights - Help!

Question

My house was built in 1975 and has recessed lights everywhere. But these are the ones I hate the most. They are located in the ceiling right above my master bathroom sink and mirror. As you can see, the bulbs I bought don't even fit - and I have no other choice. I need some ideas for how to make these go away! Thanks!

Barb · Answer

You can try pendant lights. Google screw in pendant lights and see what you think. It will bring the light lower and add a decorative element.

Hailey · Answer

Have you tried the new LED retrofit light kits? They would probably work and help your bills too.  We used them all over our house and they fit a variety of can sizes.

Pivoines · Answer

I replaced mine with retrofit pendant from Lowes, they are stainless steel, they cover the entire hole and you just screw it in. There is more than a dozen pendant to choose from.i would choose a clear glass one for the bathroom, as , I tried the beautiful red ones but the lighting was too dark, for the space.

Debra Grieve · Answer

Ladies, you beat me to it! Lol! That is the simpler way to make them go away! Short of that, you need an electrician or at least someone who can put fixture boxes and re-wire, etc. There are some really nice pendants out there for that purpose, and they are adjustable to the right height, as well.

Linda · Answer

I just retrofitted all the recessed lights in our house. They're all on dimmers which is a good thing, because, as the electrician said, I now need sunglasses. I should never have to climb on another ladder to change the bulbs in the cathedral ceiling and they'll save money, too.

Donna Oliphint · Answer

This is funny since all of the designers on the remodeling shows on TV are putting in 'canned', 'pot', or 'recessed' lighting. We have them all over our house (10-26' ceilings) and love them for general lighting. The trick is to have them on dimmers so you can control the ambiance.

Dee · Answer

Does anyone have a picture of what the retrofitted recessed lights now look like?

Nancy OBrien · Answer

There are several choices offered by Plow & Hearth also. They are quite handsome and are a nice and easy way to update. Love the look of pendant lighting.

Kim · Answer

Look for retro-fit at Costco warehouses.  Locally there was a great rebate offer recently with our power provider.

Shiree McCarver · Answer

Lucky you! I wished I had recessive lights because there is so much you can do with them now. Just look up Recessive or Can fixtures after measuring the dimension. This video link also show you have convert them with a Westinghouse converter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT7BBqjyq9g

Beth · Answer

Thanks for the terrific information everyone!

Elise · Answer

I Beth, sorry for my english.First maybe whith the age of the lights. They are probably noncompliante for the security.
They are supposed to have a boxe over them in the seiling. To prevent fire.
 If I was you I ratter changed theme all. And put new ones.

Katrina Warren · Answer

Better to have canned lights than ugly fluorescents! It shouldn't be difficult to change them out for pendants though. :)

Sav6987293 · Answer

i put screw in hanging lamps in mine.... available at lowes /home depot .i used red ones . maybe they are called pendent s

70's recessed lights - Help!

Suggested Project Book

11 Address Sign Ideas That'll Make Neighbors Stop in Admiration

Other

More

70's recessed lights - Help!

Suggested Project Book

Related Discussions