Are you able to remove the wood mount from the ceiling and patch the plaster? Are you happy with your lighting for the sink and cooktop?

The wood has been positioned where a wall was removed so it needs to stay

our lighting over cooktop and sink is good

As the timber needs to stay, I would just move the lights above the bench and paint the timber in ceiling white.
I think it may even look better with two pendants.
Beacon lighting have beautiful pendants, I like the Matt white with timber trims because looking at your bench I think it’s timber.

You could try track lighting that could be placed where your lights are now, could be a solution and could look great.

Actually like Julie’s idea of the track light but maybe move them on the bench side of the timber and choose white as not to draw the eye towards the timber.

I like the track lighting too, thanks for all your suggestions

I love the idea from dreamer. If the kitchen is not changing then I think the track lighting is a bit too modern for the space and I think pendant lights look better and function better. I would add the pendant lights but have only 2 larger ones. They could be in a wicker or something to add texture to the space.

Essendon Family Room · More Info

I added this photo to give you an idea of how pendant lights in a wicker colour (these are timber balls) can warm up the space. Hope this helps

any lighting over the bench would have to compete with the support post so I would go with Julies idea of simple track lighting in either black or white so as not to add clutter.

You can how ever add hanging lights to these tracks whenever you want change at a later date

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

it gives me something to think about

I'm another vote for track lighting - if you pick
white over black it won't look too "trendy".

We are renovating and have realised that patching ceiling etc can be done by a plasterer very affordably and with great result. I look back on 35 years of patching with timber or making do as a DYIer within our skills and now see the benefits of having some quality help. As keen as you might be to replace your lights do you have any reason to have to keep the timber on the ceiling? If not perhaps see what it would cost to both replace your lights and loose the timber.

As a relatively easy fix I would leave the pendants as they are and add two led down lights directly over the bench. Switch them separately from the pendants so that the down lights become task lighting and the pendants become mood lighting.

Hi Barbara,

Pendant style fittings over the entry bench of a kitchen a great because they help define the work space. Height also plays a factor.

These fittings are not positioned correctly.

Ideally, pendants should be placed 2/3 from the work side of the bench, but these look to be placed with the edge of the entry side. This would not provide the correct arch of light, which is why I'm guessing you've posted this.

In contrast, downlights blend with a ceiling, with an aim to be lost in a flashing view. They are also placed more centrally to provide a wider arch of light. With the trending LED style, downlight may be to harsh for this application.

To solve your problem here, i would stay with a pendant style, but relocate them to the correct position and height.

As for the timber, I'd suggest removing and replace with plaster board and repaint.

I hope this helps.

Excel Tradeworks is licenced in both building and electrical. For a more detailed discussion, feel free to contact us on sales@exceltradeworks.com.au

Thanks houzzers all comments and advice as usual helpful and appreciated

I like the idea from dreamer & it was my first thought upon seeing your dilemma. It ensures you're still working with the timber board on the ceiling rather than ignoring it, and you could introduce a little bit of a playful element with a unique fitting.