Asked on Dec 20, 2015
What is this wood box over my kitchen Island?
+78
The house was built in 1980. The kitchen has dark wood cabinets and dark wood floors and gets little natural light. To lighten it up I am in the process of painting the cabinets white. I am planning to do white subway tiles on walls and put in stainless steel counter tops. My question is: What can I do with the the wood box over the island?? Does anyone know if it serves a purpose or was it a 80's thing? I was thinking of removing it but not sure if that would be a mistake. When I mentioned removing it, some family members feared that I had gone mad. (they also have Dallas, Dynasty and Knots landing on DVD) Oh, there is a 4 ft fluorescent utility light in the middle. which is useless in 8ft ceilings. All opinions/advice will be greatly appreciated.
52 answers
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It might have been installed to focus the light on the work area of the island instead of glare. Personally I think it looks cumbersome so I would remove it. You could always replace the existing light with a pendant or such..
![Marion Nesbitt]()
Marion Nesbitt
on Dec 21, 2015
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it could be either for lighting or for an exhaust fan
![Louis Lieberman]()
Louis Lieberman
on Dec 21, 2015
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I think the box would be there to focus the lighting down on to the island and like Marion I too think it looks pretty cumbersome and would look much nicer with a pendant light. It would look more 'airy' without it.
![Kathleen Mckirkle]()
Kathleen Mckirkle
on Dec 21, 2015
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I agree with the previous posts...take it down and add pendant lights over the island. If possible, I would remove the track lighting sometime in the future, as it looks outdated.
![Annette Wilson]()
Annette Wilson
on Dec 21, 2015
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I think it was a trend in the 80s not necessarly used for a particular purpose.I would look ito removing it to give the kitchen a more open appearence.
![Janet Pizaro]()
Janet Pizaro
on Dec 21, 2015
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I agree with Annette and all above. By removing it the kitchen would be brighter.
![Francine Nault]()
Francine Nault
on Dec 21, 2015
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Hi Jennifer. Go up in your attic and see if you can get any clues. If there is a tube, rectangle or round, it was a prior vent hood system. If it is just an electrical junction box, then it's just a light system. Pull your insulation aside to help get a clear view. I'm willing to say it is 100% removable as most everything is. You just have to run down the list of possibles. If attic access is not possible, just start pulling trim on one side then move on to the panels. It is not structural so don't let that stop you. Let us know if we can help.
![Hope Williams]()
Hope Williams
on Dec 21, 2015
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Was the island ever a cooktop? So the tube could have housed the exhaust fan? Island remodeled, fan became light? You could put some cross beams in it and turn it into hanging pot rack...
![Cynthia Nye]()
Cynthia Nye
on Dec 21, 2015
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We bought a house with a similar box that housed a fluorescent light fixture but it had a piece of acrylic covering the opening. We removed the box and installed a light fixture.
![J Vaught]()
J Vaught
on Dec 21, 2015
- See 2 previous
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I'd make a pot rack out of it
![Renee Confere]()
Renee Confere
on Dec 21, 2015
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With white cupboards and stainless steel worktops you are going for a great modern look. This box is not modern, not sure what it is but I'd loose it.
![Sharon]()
Sharon
on Dec 21, 2015
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get rid of it! go to etsy, yehudalight, you will find great ceiling lights and you will never see another one like it! also will be the envy of all who see it.
![Peppi]()
Peppi
on Dec 21, 2015
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What if you painted it inside and out and drilled holes in the sides? You could make a design and using a relatively skinny bit, drill holes so the light shines through. It does need to be lightened up if you keep it. Good luck!
![Flying Texan]()
Flying Texan
on Dec 21, 2015
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I would either remove it or use it as a pot rack as the other lady said. I think the pot rack would look nice but I would definitely paint it. I would take that wall paper down and paint it a nice color maybe Med gray and paint the box a dark gray to blend it in. Then it would look more modern.
![Carole Bisby]()
Carole Bisby
on Dec 21, 2015
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It looks like it was supposed to be an exhaust fan for a range, but clearly that is not the case! I would get rid of it if it has no useful purpose!
![Linda]()
Linda
on Dec 21, 2015
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For some reason I can't see the other answers so I apologize if someone may have already suggested this. But it could be the stove once was there and the hood served as exhaust. Then converted to a light and the stove moved. You should be fine to remove it either way.
![Holly]()
Holly
on Dec 21, 2015
- See 1 previous
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Take it down, turn it upside down, fill with chocolate pudding and invite Joan Collins and Linda Evans over for a pudding wrestling match!
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Dec 21, 2015
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I am also not a fan of subway tiles. They look just that, like a bathroom in an old train or subway station. There are so many wonderful tile choices, don't go so common looking, guaranteed most will be torn out and be joining pet rocks and troll dolls in the landfills within ten years when the fad is over with.
![Johnchip]()
Johnchip
on Dec 21, 2015
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Re-configure and use it as a "Cone of Silence". Will need mechanism to raise & lower. Family fun for all.
![UpState]()
UpState
on Dec 21, 2015
- See 2 previous
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Hi Jennifer, the question is what do YOU want?? If you hate it get rid of it. It was a light and not a vent otherwise there would be a vent in the ceiling instead of lights. If you want to keep a clean look I suggest recessed lighting throughout the kitchen. You can google DIY pot hangers. I will bet you will see gobs of interesting ones that will go with your aesthetic. Check Pinterest. Also a suggestion for the countertops is cement instead of stainless steel for the counter tops. I have seen some beautiful ones with different muted color patterns and after it is sealed almost indestructible. Stainless is nice but do you want to take time to polish and how resistant to dings and knife cuts is it? I know I threw a fly in your ointment with the cement countertops so here is another lol, decide on the backsplash AFTER you decide on the countertops. If you are doing the installing you can do this last :) Good luck.
![Leslie]()
Leslie
on Dec 21, 2015
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It looks like the frame is just to direct the light on the counter below. I'd remove it and put in newer lighting. Perhaps recessed led lights...
![Linda Johnson]()
Linda Johnson
on Dec 21, 2015
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It's simply a huge ... lampshade. The box concentrates the light down onto the workspace because the ceiling is high. (Remember, in the 80s the thought was bigger is better. ha) Industrial look was a big thing, too. Soo, if you don't like it, take it down, put up a chandelier or hanging light that will bring your lighting down from the ceiling. You could even use a fan light if you're needing some air movement in there too. Make sure you turn the breakers off before you start disassembling....
![Bonnie]()
Bonnie
on Dec 21, 2015
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No matter what it is.....get rid of it....You have no idea how much larger your kitchen will look.
![Charles Prock]()
Charles Prock
on Dec 21, 2015
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We had a similar box over our island in the kitchen. It came down even lower and had an exhaust fan because it was over our stove. we got rid of it, installed a great light fixture, and put in a jenn-air type stove. the difference is amazing!
![Kathy Paullin]()
Kathy Paullin
on Dec 21, 2015
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It may have been to hang pretty copper pots from, but unless you are going to use it for that, I say take it out it will open up the space & make the whole room look larger but be prepared to fix any damage to the ceiling in that area.
![Katrina Warren]()
Katrina Warren
on Dec 21, 2015
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u are very w3elcome
![Louis Lieberman]()
Louis Lieberman
on Dec 21, 2015
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It looks like it was maybe originally an exhaust vent and was converted to a light box. Whatever it was then, if you get rid of it now, you will really open up your whole kitchen. You can put some great modern lighting over you island..maybe some recessed lights or a beautiful pendant fixture.
![The Redesign Habit]()
The Redesign Habit
on Dec 21, 2015
- See 2 previous
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Yup..my guess is they had a stove on the island back in the day..thats the exhaust hood
![Jen]()
Jen
on Dec 21, 2015
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Looks like the island may have been the site of a cooktop back in the day and my guess is that box was the exhaust fan vent. If it doesn't do anything important now have it removed. Enjoy your remodel!
![MN Mom]()
MN Mom
on Dec 21, 2015
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Rather than remove it completely, which will leave you with ceiling damage,maybe you could take the longer skirt bit off the box and leave just the first few inches and use that as a frame for hanging pots or putting your lights into. The box skirt could be turned upside down and used as a coffee table base or a raised herb garden?
![H]()
H
on Dec 21, 2015
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I would add hooks to it and use it for hanging pots and pans from - probably was originally a vent hood for a long ago removed cooktop. Why they left the vent hood after they took out the cooktop, you may never know!
![Carol Tanner]()
Carol Tanner
on Dec 21, 2015
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Most welcome :) Keep us informed of your progress and post pictures of the end result I am interested in seeing how it all worked out :) Good Luck!!!
![Leslie]()
Leslie
on Dec 21, 2015
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Or, since the wiring is still in the cabinet below, you could do the unthinkable and reinstall the cooktop and put the ventilation fan back in the hanging unit. Yes, more expensive, but would greatly enhance your kitchen, especially if you have an older range.
![Doc Jackson]()
Doc Jackson
on Dec 21, 2015
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At one point there was probably a rooftop on the island and the exhaust was probably installed within the box as you call it. I would remove this box light area and your track lighting, and install recessed LED lighting with soft lighting underneath the cabinets, which can give extra task lighting, but also you can turn t these on after your finished in the kitchen for anyone coming in for a beverage or snack. Instead of white subway time I would go with a glass mosaic tile which will give you texture and color to the room. Here are a couple of links: https://www.tileshop.com/product/brushed+bronze+w-glass+metal+wall+tile.do?sortby=ourPicksAscend&refType=&from=fn&ecList=7&ecCategory=100234; https://www.tileshop.com/category/tile/glass/glass.do?c=100181.100219.100224&ColorFamily=Clear&sortby=ourPicksAscend&page=all
![LD]()
LD
on Dec 21, 2015
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If it was mine I would just demolish it and deal with the celing as you would like. If it had a use you don't sound like you like it ,so you might need to do a bit of dry wall repair. Then you can put what ever lighting you choose.
![Jean Myles]()
Jean Myles
on Dec 21, 2015
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Was it always a light? Looks like it was meant to light the island. Be glad it's wood. My in laws' kitchen has a similar looking light, except their's is forged steel and is very, very heavy. I think it is from the 80's. Not only that, theirs isn't even over an island.
![Karen Stark]()
Karen Stark
on Dec 21, 2015
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Good grief! Get rid of it, whatever it is!---it's like an elephant in the room! I'd put in bead board ceiling and a new light fixture--maybe pendant lighting over the island if you are keeping the island there.
![Luanna]()
Luanna
on Dec 21, 2015
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I'm not sure what its original purpose was. It does look like it had been an exhaust, possibly, then reverted to an island light. Right now it looks like the elephant in the room. I'd remove it, AND that track lighting, update it to your liking. (You're on the right track)
![Mickey Baron]()
Mickey Baron
on Dec 21, 2015
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Looks like a vent... Was there a counter stove top below it sometime ago?
![Sandra]()
Sandra
on Dec 22, 2015
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It could have been a pot and pan rack that got converted into a light. If you do not like it get rid of it or convert it back to a hanging rack for pans.
![Lynda Dexter]()
Lynda Dexter
on Dec 22, 2015
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Most welcome :)
![Leslie]()
Leslie
on Dec 22, 2015
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Get rid of it, it will lighten up the look of your kitchen greatly. Add different lighting. It looks obtrusive and clumsy. It looks like a massive job, but it's not. I had the same thing and after looking at it for a year I asked my husband if he could take it down. He didn't understand why I would want to take down a perfectly functioning fixture. Half an hour later it was down. I found vintage ribbed glass lights (2) that I put in it's place, hubby patched and painted and it looks beautiful. You won't be sorry
![Lola]()
Lola
on Dec 22, 2015
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I would take it down but be prepared to do dry wall patching and little electrical you will probally want pendant lits or something over the island.
![Betty Miller]()
Betty Miller
on Dec 22, 2015
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Maybe trade in for a quirky chandelier? I have one in my laundry, and I love it every time I turn it on!
![Duv310660]()
Duv310660
on Dec 23, 2015
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Take it down. It would open up your space. I think it is just a weird 80s light fixture. You may have some ceiling work to do but it would be worth it.
![Katie Lloyd Mansfield]()
Katie Lloyd Mansfield
on Dec 23, 2015
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If there is a light inside, there was probably some type of plastic/glass covering the opening. If you remove this, be sure that you know how to remove the fluorescent fixture. Be prepared to plaster your ceiling.
![Nancy]()
Nancy
on Dec 24, 2015
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Just another suggestion, Get a glass cut and fitted for it. If you plan on stainless steel counter tops, you could paint this a stainless steel color or if you are super handy, cover the sides with stainless tell sheathing.
![Nancy]()
Nancy
on Dec 24, 2015
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I meant to type stainless steel sheathing.
![Nancy]()
Nancy
on Dec 24, 2015
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Just take the lower angled part of the box off and replace the old light with a new energy efficient one. Then you'll only have to paint the more shallow part left there to match your cabinets.
![Nana moving on]()
Nana moving on
on Dec 24, 2015
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Excellent idea. That would save me from having to fix the ceiling. Thanks for the tip!
![Jennifer Rapp]()
Jennifer Rapp
on Dec 24, 2015
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You could make it a focal point but since you have the busy wallpaper, maybe you could just paint it to blend it with the surroundings. Any covering, even glass, will soften the light benefit. I'm sure it was originally there to direct the light to the work counter.
![Psellers]()
Psellers
on Dec 30, 2015
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I have seen where they totally remove the structure and then place plywood the same size over the hole and then use molding to replicate the look of the front of your cabinets. Paint white before attaching to ceiling and once you find a light for the area make sure to cut a hole to fit the new light kit.
![Teresa C]()
Teresa C
on Dec 31, 2015
Marion Nesbitt
on Dec 21, 2015
Louis Lieberman
on Dec 21, 2015
Kathleen Mckirkle
on Dec 21, 2015
Annette Wilson
on Dec 21, 2015
Janet Pizaro
on Dec 21, 2015
Francine Nault
on Dec 21, 2015
Hope Williams
on Dec 21, 2015
Cynthia Nye
on Dec 21, 2015
J Vaught
on Dec 21, 2015
Renee Confere
on Dec 21, 2015
Sharon
on Dec 21, 2015
Peppi
on Dec 21, 2015
Flying Texan
on Dec 21, 2015
Carole Bisby
on Dec 21, 2015
Linda
on Dec 21, 2015
Holly
on Dec 21, 2015
Johnchip
on Dec 21, 2015
UpState
on Dec 21, 2015
Leslie
on Dec 21, 2015
Linda Johnson
on Dec 21, 2015
Bonnie
on Dec 21, 2015
Charles Prock
on Dec 21, 2015
Kathy Paullin
on Dec 21, 2015
Katrina Warren
on Dec 21, 2015
The Redesign Habit
on Dec 21, 2015
Carol Tanner
on Dec 21, 2015
Doc Jackson
on Dec 21, 2015
LD
on Dec 21, 2015
Jean Myles
on Dec 21, 2015
Karen Stark
on Dec 21, 2015
Luanna
on Dec 21, 2015
Mickey Baron
on Dec 21, 2015
Sandra
on Dec 22, 2015
Lynda Dexter
on Dec 22, 2015
Lola
on Dec 22, 2015
Betty Miller
on Dec 22, 2015
Duv310660
on Dec 23, 2015
Katie Lloyd Mansfield
on Dec 23, 2015
Nancy
on Dec 24, 2015
Nana moving on
on Dec 24, 2015
Jennifer Rapp
on Dec 24, 2015
Psellers
on Dec 30, 2015
Teresa C
on Dec 31, 2015
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