Replacing Fluorescent Light Box In Bathroom
Ideas for Replacing Fluorescent Lighting Boxes
Almost all homes built in the '80s and '90s have large, ugly fluorescent light fixtures in the kitchen and bathrooms. Sure, they were efficient, but a bit too harsh and not very attractive. There's nothing welcoming about bright, harsh hospital lights installed in your home. These fluorescent lighting boxes need to be replaced, but with what?
Today's homes have newer types of lighting, like recessed, track, surface, and pendant lighting. Draped lighting is also popular. You can even do a modern chandelier. There are many ideas for replacing fluorescent lightboxes. But first, you have to get rid of the old fixture.
In this article, we will go through options for replacing your fluorescent lighting boxes. This will help bring a more welcoming vibe to your beautiful home. No more harsh lights or overly-bright light where it's not needed.
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Table of Contents
- Removing The Fluorescent Lighting Boxes
- Gather The Right Tools For The Job
- Removing Everything
- Types Of Lighting Styles
- Recessed Lighting
- Track Lighting Fixture
- Pendant Lighting
- Chandelier
- Illuminated Art Box
- Related Questions
- Can you replace a fluorescent light with track lighting?
- Why do fluorescent lights make me feel weird?
- How do you hide fluorescent lights?
- So Many Choices
Removing The Fluorescent Lighting Boxes
Because fluorescent lighting boxes come in many shapes and sizes, the task of removal can vary. If you have a small recessed fixture, just tear it out and hang up the replacement.
However, always remember before you work on any sort of electrical appliance or fixture, you need to make sure you turn the electricity off at the breaker box. Afterward, test the voltage with your voltage tester to make sure that there is no electricity running through the wires.
Gather The Right Tools For The Job
Make sure you have the right tools for the job before you start. The tools you need may vary depending on your fixture and your intent. But here are the most commonly used tools in replacing fluorescent lighting boxes.
- Drill
- Electrical tape
- Hammer
- Level
- Needle nose pliers
- Paint
- Putty or wood filler
- Screwdrivers
- Step ladder
- Tape measure
- Utility knife
- Voltage tester
By making sure you have the correct tools, you can bypass any additional time it would take to get these tools together. Additionally, it will keep you from attempting to use the wrong tools for the job. Doing this will likely ruin the fixture, costing you more money.
Removing Everything
If you have the T-bar type of fluorescent lighting box, it is pretty simple. All you need to do is unscrew the bars from each other and then unscrew them from the ceiling. Once that is gone, you can get to work on the lights.
Removing the fluorescent light fixtures should be pretty easy. In most cases, it is just a matter of unscrewing some screws and prying them off the ceiling. If it has several coats of paint or putty on it, you may need a bit more muscle.
Once those are gone, you can move on to the installation of your new lighting. Deciding on what kind of lighting to use depends on what you are left to work with. It also depends on what type of lighting you want to install.
Types Of Lighting Styles
There are three types of lighting styles, which include:
- Accent lighting includes cabinet lights, under toe kick lights, and other areas where you can add that small accent light.
- Ambient lighting is your main source of light for the room. This light should be focused on the middle of the room to get an even cast all over. The best choices are recessed pendant and chandelier lights.
- Task lights are direct focus lights for areas where you need to see things more clearly. This may be preparing meals, doing work, or reading recipes. Can lights and track lights are the best choices here.
Recessed Lighting
If you are lighting an area over the sink or counter, recessed lighting is a great idea. Also known as can lights, these lights fit up into the ceiling to focus the beam on a specific area. However, they can also be used for ambient light. They come in many different sizes, types, and styles.
You can also choose whatever baffles or trim you like. In fact, you can also use dimmer switches. Of course, you may have to decide depending on what your old light fixture left you with. But since can lights are small; you can add several to any area where there was a fluorescent lighting box.
Track Lighting Fixture
Track lights are also excellent for task lighting. And since your fluorescent lighting box probably left you with a nice rectangular space, it is perfect. You can choose from all the different styles, colors, and sizes of the track as well as the housing. However, they are usually about four to eight feet long.
Measure and mark the spots for the screws by holding the track in position as a template. You can also make your own template with a piece of paper or cardboard. Some tracking comes with its own template, which is very helpful. You need to mark where to put the screws before you start hanging the track.
Once you install the track, insert the floating feed, following the manufacturer's instructions. Affix the housing for each light into the track, and it should be ready to go. Make sure to use electrical tape and wire caps when securing the wiring for the light fixture.
Pendant Lighting
For a more decorative and central lighting fixture, try a pendant light. Not only do they come in thousands of styles, colors, and sizes, they are also easy to install. They are just surface lights that hang down to give you more light. These are especially nice for rooms with high ceilings.
To install, just attach a mounting bracket, connect the wires (using wire caps), and secure the cover to the bracket. Be sure to tighten the screws so that the cover is flush with the ceiling. Then hang the shade to the shade mount before screwing in the bulb, and you are done.
Chandelier
If you want to make a statement, try a chandelier. The modern ones are much more versatile than the old-fashioned ones you see in the movies. Be sure to check the weight limit of your mount, so you do not get one that is too heavy.
The longest part of this job may be assembling the chandelier, depending on how detailed it is. Some are already put together in the box, and all you have to do is hang it. Those are great. Read the details before buying so you know what you are getting into.
Measure the chain that your chandelier will hang from. You don't want it to hang too low. Most chandeliers look best hanging about three feet over the kitchen table or island. If you have high ceilings, hang it about five feet above the kitchen table or island.
Attach the chandelier to the electrical box following the manufacturer's instructions. Then just connect the wiring (with wire caps) and fit them into the electrical box before hanging. Cover the box with the decorative plate or canopy and add some bulbs.
Important: Be sure the bulbs you use in any light fixture are the right wattage according to the manufacturer.
Illuminated Art Box
A unique and beautiful choice for a room that needs some attention. An illuminated art box can add charm to your room while covering the space left by the fluorescent lighting fixture. Just buy or build an open box to fit the space you want to cover.
Insert surface lights where the fluorescent bulbs used to be attached and fix them securely to the ceiling. Make sure they are bright enough to illuminate the art you will be hanging. Track lighting is a good choice here too.
Cut a piece of acrylic to fit the top of the box and attach it with screws. Then attach the box to the ceiling using L-brackets. Be sure to keep the brackets on the inside of the box, so they do not show.
You can use any type of art like photos, parchment, or even stained glass to decorate. Attach it to a panel on the open side of the box. The lights will illuminate the art and create a stunning display in any room.
Why do fluorescent lights make me feel weird?
How do you hide fluorescent lights?
To hide fluorescent lights, you can cover them with different colored fabrics. This is the most inexpensive option, which allows you to customize the color and pattern you want for your style. You can also change it pretty quickly just by changing the material.
Don't want to do it yourself?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
FIND LOCAL CONTRACTORS
So Many Choices
No matter which type of lighting you choose, it will most definitely be an improvement. Fluorescent lighting boxes are just not in style anymore, and there are so many modern ideas to choose from. You don't need to pay an arm and a leg for changing the lighting even; you can drape some material over the light to style your room how you want.
Patricia Oelze
I am a DIYer who loves writing about anything home-related. When I am not writing, you can find me studying for my PhD in Psychology, photographing nature, and swimming at the lake with my grandkids.
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Replacing Fluorescent Light Box In Bathroom
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