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Fluorescent tube lighting was a staple in homes and commercial buildings in the late 20th century. In residential settings, it was especially popular in kitchens and can still be found in older homes and homes that underwent renovations in the 1970s to 1990s.
These tube lights are often installed with drop ceilings, which means that replacing the light entirely can be a big project requiring completely restructuring the existing ceiling. However, there are numerous ways to make fluorescent lights look better in your home, even if you aren’t up for a big renovation.
Here are a few ways to improve the look of your home’s fluorescent light fixtures, from simple cosmetic upgrades to minor renovation projects.
Warning
Always handle fluorescent light bulbs carefully since they contain small amounts of hazardous mercury. Fluorescent bulbs should never be disposed of in your household waste or curbside recycling. Instead, they should be recycled at an approved recycling facility for household hazardous waste in your area.
Use Decorative Light Covers
Most fluorescent tube light fixtures have a plastic light cover to help diffuse the light and hide the tube lights from view. However, these plastic covers aren’t known for being very attractive, often coming in a simple frosted look. Luckily, this standard cover can be easily replaced. Plenty of decorative light covers are available, from faux stained glass to nature-inspired scenes, abstract designs, and more.
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Add Other Light Sources
Layering in additional sources of light is a great way to combat the harsh, industrial feel of fluorescent overhead lighting. Task lighting and ambient lighting are two options that can help warm up the space and reduce the need to turn on the overhead fluorescent light. Try incorporating lamps, wall sconces, pendant lights, and more.
Install a Dimmer Switch
Adding a dimmer to your fluorescent overhead lighting is a great way to better control the space’s mood and reduce the brightness when needed. While it may sound intimidating, installing a dimmer switch is something you can do yourself if you feel handy. It only requires four wire connections and can be tackled in less than 30 minutes. It does require some technical know-how, so don’t hesitate to bring in a professional electrician if needed.
Switch to LED Tubes
Switching from fluorescent tube lights to LED tube lights is a simple way to improve the lighting in your space. LEDs are better for your eyes, provide more consistent light, and are readily found in more colors and intensities.
Sure, you’ll still be stuck with tube lighting, but the ambiance in the room will be drastically improved. Plus, it’s a far cheaper and easier project than replacing the light fixture entirely—a great interim solution while you save up for a more comprehensive renovation.
Add Trim for Architectural Interest
Fluorescent tube lighting can have a cold, industrial feel. Combat this commercial look by adding trim or crown molding around the fixture in the same color as your ceiling. This will give the light a more decorative look at a fraction of the cost of replacing it.
Replace the Light Fixture
Are you ready to ditch the tube lighting entirely? Replacing the entire fixture is the best option. Unless you’re experienced with electrical work, this will likely involve hiring a qualified electrician to remove the fluorescent light fixture, add a new electrical box, and install the new fixture.
Since you’ll still be dealing with the concave lightbox, pendants, and chandeliers tend to look best, but you can also opt for pot lights or any other fixture that fits the space.
Transform the Light Box
If you’re up for replacing the old fluorescent light fixture but don’t know what to do with the lightbox area (i.e., the large concave area where the tube lighting was held), have no fear—there are plenty of trendy ways to transform the space.
For example, trim and crown molding can be installed to add architectural interest inside and outside the box. The box’s ceiling can also be decorated with wood paneling such as beadboard or shiplap, wallpaper, or bold paint. Some homeowners add LED strip lighting around the edges of the old lightbox for some added indirect light. The sky is the limit.