Updated 2019
We replaced two old fluorescent light fixtures in our kitchen and discovered they required slightly different approaches because — surprise — one location didn’t have a proper ceiling fixture box. Just wires poking out of the drywall. Below we explain two ways to replace fluorescent lighting with a modern pendant or flush-mount fixture, including how to install an “old work” ceiling box when necessary.
Removing a Large Fluorescent Light Fixture
We started with the large fluorescent fixture above the stove. This removal was straightforward; follow these steps for a safe, clean replacement:
Step 1: Turn Off the Power
Always switch off the circuit breaker that controls the light at the electrical panel, not just the wall switch. That prevents someone from accidentally re-energizing the circuit while you work. For extra safety, verify there is no voltage with a non-contact voltage detector before touching any wires.
Step 2: Remove the Plastic Shade and Tubes
Remove the plastic diffuser or shade (usually snapped in place) and set the long fluorescent tubes aside to avoid breakage while you work.
Step 3: Detach the Metal Wiring Cover
Remove the metal cover that conceals the wiring. In our case the house wiring entered the fixture at the center, which made removal and installation simpler. If the wires enter at one end of the fixture, repositioning may be more involved.
Step 4: Disconnect the Fixture Wiring
With the breaker off, unscrew the wire caps and separate the fixture wires from the ceiling wires. You don’t need to dismantle the ballast or internal fixture wiring—only the connections to the house wiring matter.
Step 5: Remove the Fixture
Unscrew the mounting screws that secure the fixture to the ceiling and remove it. If the fixture is still in decent condition, consider donating it to a local reuse center.
Step 6: Spackle and Paint
Patch screw holes and any damaged drywall, then prime and paint the ceiling so the new fixture sits on a clean surface and any evidence of the old fixture is gone.
Installing a Pendant or Flush-Mount Fixture
After removing the fluorescent fixture you can install a pendant, semi-flush, or flush-mount light. If you’re uncomfortable working with electrical wiring, hire a licensed electrician. Otherwise, these are the typical steps to finish the installation yourself.
Step 1: Trim Excess Cord
If you’re installing a pendant and want it to sit close to the ceiling, trim excess cord to the desired length before wiring.
Step 2: Strip the Wires
Use wire strippers to remove insulation from the ends of each conductor so you can make secure wire-nut connections to the house wires.
Step 3: Mount the Fixture
Attach the fixture’s mounting bracket to the ceiling electrical box, connect matching wires (hot to hot, neutral to neutral, and ground to ground) with wire caps, secure the canopy, and tighten the screws that hold everything in place. Restore power and test the light.
With the larger fixture replaced, we moved to the smaller fluorescent light above the sink. This one revealed a larger issue: there was no electrical box in the ceiling, only a hole with exposed wires.
Installing an “Old Work” Ceiling Box
If there’s no nearby joist or stud to mount a standard “new work” box, an “old work” box is designed to clamp to existing drywall. It has expandable wings (or clamps) that deploy when you tighten the mounting screws, securing the box to the ceiling. These boxes are best for lightweight fixtures; heavy fixtures should be supported by framing or a fan-rated box.
Step 1: Confirm the Power Is Off
Double-check the circuit breaker before you cut or touch any wiring.
Step 2: Mark the Opening
Use the template that came with the box (or create a paper template) and position it so the house wires will feed through the center of the box.
Step 3: Cut the Hole
Trace the template and cut the opening in the drywall with a drywall jab saw, keeping the cut slightly smaller than the outer lip of the box so the lip rests on the ceiling surface.
Step 4: Feed and Trim the Wires
Feed the house wiring through the back of the box and trim as needed, then strip the conductor ends for connections.
Step 5: Secure the Box
Tighten the face screws so the wings deploy and clamp the box to the drywall, holding it firmly in place.
Step 6: Attach a Lightweight Fixture
With the box secure, wire and mount your lightweight pendant or flush-mount fixture, restore power, and test the light. An “old work” box worked well for our glass funnel pendant and stayed secure for years.
After the fixtures were installed, we primed any raw drywall and painted the entire ceiling in a flat white to blend patched areas and refresh the room. Painting made a subtle but noticeable improvement in how fresh the room looks.
Project checklist (selected items completed):
Remove wallpaperMove fridge cabinet forwardRemove upper cabinets on window wall to prep for open shelvesReinstall crown moldingPrime & paint the pantry and the garage doorPrime & paint trim, crown molding, & baseboardsPrime & paint panelingPrime and paint the wallsRemove existing microwave and replace with a countertop unit- Install a simple range hood to brighten the cooking area
Patch, prime, and paint the ceilingReplace fluorescent light in the cooking area and add a pendant over the sinkReplace and center the light over the dining table- Hang floating shelves on the window wall
- Paint the cabinets
- Update cabinet hinges and knobs
- Consider a rug for the eat-in area or peel-and-stick tiles
- Install curtains for the windows
Replacing fluorescent fixtures with modern pendants or flush mounts not only improves lighting quality and energy efficiency, it also refreshes the room’s look. If you follow proper safety steps—shutting off the breaker, verifying power is off, and using the right box for your ceiling—you can often complete the swap yourself. If in doubt, consult a licensed electrician.
