I feel your pain—I had a similar mishap with integrated LEDs in one of my rental properties. Thought I'd save tenants the hassle of changing bulbs, but when the fixture went kaput, it turned into a full-on replacement job. Definitely sticking with swappable bulbs next time...lesson learned the hard way.
Yeah, integrated LEDs can be a real headache down the line. I get the appeal—sleek look, no bulbs to mess with—but honestly, practicality wins out every time for me. In my experience, tenants rarely appreciate the fancy stuff anyway; they just want something reliable and easy to fix when it inevitably breaks.
Have you thought about dimmable recessed lighting with standard bulbs? I've been leaning toward those lately. Easy enough to swap out bulbs, and tenants seem to like having control over brightness levels. Plus, if one fixture goes bad, you're not stuck replacing an entire integrated unit—just pop in a new bulb or trim kit and you're good to go. Curious if anyone's had issues with recessed fixtures long-term though...
I've actually had recessed lighting in my kitchen for about 8 years now, and while swapping bulbs is easy enough, I've noticed the trims can yellow or discolor over time—especially if they're white plastic. Not a huge deal, but it does mean occasionally replacing the trim kits too. Have you considered track lighting instead? It's adjustable, easy to maintain, and you can swap out fixtures without messing with drywall or ceilings...might be worth thinking about.
I've thought about track lighting, but honestly, the initial cost and aesthetics aren't my favorite. Instead, I swapped out my recessed trims for metal ones—no more yellowing issues, and they're pretty affordable online if you look around. Installation was straightforward too, just a quick swap without any drywall hassle. Might be a good middle-ground solution if you're budget-conscious but still want a clean look.
"Installation was straightforward too, just a quick swap without any drywall hassle."
Glad to hear it went smoothly—I haven't tackled lighting yet, but your approach sounds doable even for a newbie like me. Did you notice a big difference in brightness afterward?
