Semi flush or flush mount kitchen lighting: suggestions?

[Susie]

I need to replace this track light over the center work area of our kitchen:



I bought it a few years ago because at the time I wanted to take down the ceiling fan that the previous owners had there, and this was cheap.  It was fine for the interim, but in addition to not liking it very much, the middle light no longer works (it's not the bulb).  So it's time to replace.

Out of the photo there's another light fixture over the table (also original/previous owners'), but I don't really like it either:



So don't worry about coordinating with it.  What kind of flush or semi-flush mount fixture would you put over the work area?

I have this light at the top of the stairs and like it, and there are coordinating pendants that I could eventually put over the table, so this could be an option.  But I haven't had much time to think about possibilities.

[raangoli]

I have no suggestions, but I am here for the replies. We need to replace our (terrible) kitchen fixture as well and any options I see are too "boob light" for my liking.

I thought about a fixture like you suggested, but I am concerned it wouldn't be enough.

Would you consider recessed lights? We are, but it's more of a job than we are wiling to take on now.

[Susie]

Jul 10, 2017 12:36:02 GMT -5 raangoli said:

Would you consider recessed lights? We are, but it's more of a job than we are wiling to take on now.

My hesitation on recessed lights is that they're a fair amount of work (we DIYed them in the family room), and this is a "for now" kitchen.  We plan to reno it entirely and make some significant layout changes at some point.  I have no idea when, it depends on a bunch of things.  Anyway, the odds of placing recessed lights in a place that will work both now and with the as-yet undecided future layout seem poor, so I'd rather just replace with a single fixture.

[raangoli]

Susie I vaguely remembered that you would like to reno the kitchen at some point, so the recessed lighting would definitely need to wait.

Is the fixture that you have the hall bright enough for the kitchen?

[Susie]

raangoli, it's hard to say because the landing area at the top of the stairs is so much smaller than the kitchen, but it does seem pretty bright. Plus it's pretty cheap, $46/65 depending on finish.

We also have fluorescent under counter lighting in a couple places, and one recessed light over the sink, so that makes it somewhat less imperative that the overhead light be all the light we ever need.

[msn06]

These are currently being debated on in my house for the new house's kitchen. DH and I are working on melding our styles.

Lowes

home Depot.

[AmyRI]

I like the one you posted from a design standpoint, but I'd want to make sure you have 2 or 3 bright bulbs in a fixture like that so that it provides adequate light. Not sure if that particular one can handle it - I know the enclosed globes I've looked at previously limit wattage because of heat. Perhaps that's all changed now with the new LED bulbs, though? So I might just be entirely unhelpful.
Could be worth a shot, though, if you like the style and have other rooms that it could be put in if it's not bright enough for the kitchen.

[thatgirl2478]

i would make sure whatever you get isn't overly detailed for the kitchen, since it'll get gross and need to be washed (that's the one advantage of what you have now).

[hbomdiggity]

is another track light out of the question? Until you renovate and can install multiple recessed, track lighting gives you more flexibility/utility.

something like this?

[rivers3]

I would probably do something relatively simple for the track lighting in the kitchen. Maybe a similar fixture with clear globes? I think I would want it to blend in to the ceiling as much as possible. We just got a new fixture for over our eat-in kitchen table -http://www.ballarddesigns.com/carriage-house-chandeliers/167657
I LOVE it! It feels so much lighter and brighter. I personally think the ORB would look great with your cabinet color.

[ssmjlm]

I don't think the schoolhouse light will work in the kitchen. They're ok for smaller spaces since their shape doesn't stick out as much. If you put a larger-ish one in a kitchen that has nothing in the middle I think it would just look odd.

Since you only have 1 fixture I would look for 4 bulbs and go with 40-60w LED, for maximum output. Our old house only had 1 fixture and LED bulbs made all the difference.

[Susie]

Hmm. I was hoping to avoid track lighting in general, but the one you ( hbomdiggity ) posted is nicer than most that I have seen. I'm just not sure if directing the light straight downward like that one would work best, since where it's really needed is on the counters.

ssmjlm, I don't follow what you mean about "nothing in the middle"? The light that I PIPed above is 10"x12", so it is pretty big. But it does only have one bulb.

[ssmjlm]

Jul 12, 2017 8:58:42 GMT -5 Susie said:

Hmm. I was hoping to avoid track lighting in general, but the one you ( hbomdiggity ) posted is nicer than most that I have seen. I'm just not sure if directing the light straight downward like that one would work best, since where it's really needed is on the counters.

ssmjlm , I don't follow what you mean about "nothing in the middle"? The light that I PIPed above is 10"x12", so it is pretty big. But it does only have one bulb.

For me, the school house lights always look weird just hanging out in the middle of room.  With nothing to ground it like a table or island, they take on a "boob light" sort of look.

[dr.girlfriend]

We have this left over from our kitchen reno...if you want it I'll send it to you free for the cost of shipping. :-)


smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B003Z6PJBQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[mcmel]

I actually like the track lighting style now that I've seen it on your ceiling. What about this? If it's ugly then please tell me because now I'm considering it for my own kitchen.



m.lowes.com/pd/Portfolio-Aria-6-Light-45-2-in-Brushed-Steel-Dimmable-Fixed-Track-Light-Kit/3054635

[Laura Palmer]

Jul 11, 2017 14:54:56 GMT -5 hbomdiggity said:

is another track light out of the question? Until you renovate and can install multiple recessed, track lighting gives you more flexibility/utility.

something like this?

We have the 5-light version of this in our kitchen and love it. Highly recommend 

they can can be pointed, stay there (unlike some cheaper options we saw at hd). H says they make him hot, but I've never had an issue. I'm a big fan.