Taking spotlights out of ceiling

[BarkingHat]

Previous owners put 6 spotlights in bedroom ceiling with no central light. Beautiful newly plastered ceiling. We really don’t like the spotlights. If we get them taken out would a decorator be able to fill 8n the holes?

Or could we have nicer spotlights that look less, well, cheap?

They don't look particularly cheap; they just look like spotlights - I doubt you'll get ones you like if you don't like spotlights.

You could probably replace them relatively easily, though, if you do find ones you think are not so bad. Most just pull out (there's a clamp thing behind the plaster board so you pull quite hard then as it starts to come out you get your hand behind and and hold it closed) and they have a blue plug that connects to the wiring. You plug a different one into that and squeeze them back into the original hole. You wouldn't need an electrician for this - it's as easy as changing a lightbulb.

That’s it, just not keen on spotlights. But could a decorator fill in the holes? And would we need an electrician to remove the wiring or make them safe if we took them out permanently?

Decorator could easily fill the holes by patching, skimming and repainting. The wires can stay as long as they are disconnected from the mains (you probably need an electrician for this) but it's better to remove them if possible just so they don't confuse future electricians.

Thank you!

You could get the surrounds changed to white, so they stand out less. Otherwise, get holes filled in, re skim and decorate.

yes no problem. but you really should have got this done before the ceiling was replastered.

they would cut circles from plasterboard using a circular saw, attach a bit of battening wood on one side and insert it into the gap so that the battening holds it in place, then put filler into the thin gap around. for a good finish this would then be skimmed over with plaster across the whole ceiling. the fact that you have only just had the ceiling replastered may make you unwilling to do this.

your alternative suggestion of replacing them with nicer spotlights would also work. you don't like the fact that the old ones look cheap. recessed downlights range in price from c£2 each to £65+ each so browsing a lighting shop may find ones you consider acceptable.

Detest spotlights too. Hope you get them sorted 😊

We didn’t get the ceiling replatetered, the previous owners did. And we assume took out the centre light and put in spotlights.

Just don’t like them apart from in bathrooms.....and even then not keen.

So if a decent decorator can patch over the holes we’ll do that.

I hate this type of lighting. I have them in my current new-built flat and it is a pain to change them. Never want to be in a property with spotlights again after I move...