Hi all,

For older landed subsale houses around klang valley, the living room till kitchen for downstairs, the lighting is mostly those traditional fluorescent light tubes with bright white light, while you can also see the beams. At least, this is how it is in the house I grew up in with my parents since late 90's/early 2000's.

Nowadays these new landed projects and latest trends you see in showrooms/interior design ads on facebook/lighting companies etc., you see a lot of downlights, plaster ceilings, ambience lighting, etc etc. Example can be seen here (Malaysiahomie link): Malaysiahomie

Currently planning reno for an old typical 22x75 landed subsale. I don't mind seeing beams, but I do want some cosy 3000k type of yellow lights. The existing electrical points can only fit one ceiling fan and two lights for the living room, while for the dining area, only one electrical point as well (for a light), then the dry kitchen area also just one point.

To add more lights, plaster ceiling is needed (is this the correct term?)

1) Plaster ceiling can go how low before it feels too low?
2) Are these kind of designs timeless? Let's say 20 years from now?
3) 20 years ago (let's say year 2005/2006), anyone remembers how was the trend that time for lights and ceiling design?
4) Or easier to stick with normal ceiling with beams i.e. no need do plaster ceiling? And btw my upstairs hall and rooms/bathrooms are those typical ceiling with lines (can't remember what's the term called).

nowadays there no need plaster ceiling anymore since its reduce height, unless your ori ceiling are high and you'd thick pocket

you google "plaster ceiling light" as below, can find some faux plaster ceiling light actually profile channel that shape to fit led light giving plaster ceiling looks.....

from google shope links:
https://shopee.com.my/product/1166274442/28...BCABEgLnGfD_BwE

https://shopee.com.my/product/1166274442/28...ASABEgKSlPD_BwE

https://shopee.com.my/product/493312502/298...ByABEgIPV_D_BwE

happy shopping

Since you insinuate you will be living there then why do you care about what others like or prefer? LED tubes also come in 3000k colour temperature so a change can be done without renovation

1) Plaster ceiling can go how low before it feels too low?
I can tolerate 2.6m ceiling height if you dont have ceiling fan. Also you can maximise aircond efficiency by playing with ceiling height as there's less room volume to cool when you got a low ceiling.


2) Are these kind of designs timeless? Let's say 20 years from now?
I dont see why not. But do know plaster ceiling have quite a short lifetime. The ceiling frame will rust and need replacement. ~10 years.

3) 20 years ago (let's say year 2005/2006), anyone remembers how was the trend that time for lights and ceiling design?
LED lighting was not common back then, fluorescent lighting was used and these have high profile (not flat like LEDs).

4) Or easier to stick with normal ceiling with beams i.e. no need do plaster ceiling? And btw my upstairs hall and rooms/bathrooms are those typical ceiling with lines (can't remember what's the term called).
These are UAC or Plywood ceiling. These last a very long time but it's hard to patch if you need to change lighting and such. Plaster ceiling you can just plaster back the holes, putty and repaint. Plaster ceiling is safer than plywood ceiling in term of fire safety btw.

Ah yes, seen this on some reno videos. Is this possible to put on those beam areas? Because with original ceiling, there are some beams from living room to the kitchen area. Trying to imagine how it will look like.

Ah yes for own stay. But just thinking of long-term ma in case. During house-searching process, there were some houses that as you stepped in, the ceilings and lighting design I can tell it was probably trendy last time but now doesn't look so modern anymore. Kinda affects the decision-making process of future potential buyers.


For item 2), ah damn. And i also read that those ceiling particles will fall down over time and we breathe it in? And when need replacement, need do another round of reno? Damn what about our existing furniture's? Sounds messy

For item 4, are these olden-days ceiling made from asbestos ah? My this house is almost 20+ years now. Upstairs ceiling for the rooms and bathrooms are these type of ceiling (with gridlines). Not sure whether want to change the ceiling or not, and if change, change to what?

Government project stopped using asbestos 1999. So your ceiling probably cement fibre board.

If your house humidity not too bad, your plaster ceiling will last more than my stated 10 years. Probably by then you'll want another round of refresh to cater for new wiring/aircond/lighting so I dont think it's a huge issue.

Is your house itself using a lot of plaster ceiling too? Landed or condo?

Yes, about 9 years old. Car porch ceiling already disintegrated and 1 ceiling board jatuh hit and dented my car hood. I'll probably replace with UAC in the future.
It's landed.

https://uac.com.my/, I assume this is the website for UAC? You planning to use this for car porch?

Can this be used for indoor ceiling as well? Indoor pics on the website seems to look like plaster ceiling too

Why not consider gypsum board for ceiling?

Yep this. My roof a bit leaky and this can stand some water without issues.

Not considering aluminium strip ceiling for car porch? Also come with nice wood grain colours.

Track light is good alternative if not considering plaster ceiling

Can consider also. I've seen some around and they do look atas.

This gypsum looks like quite old and with a lot of lines too? Or am I incorrect?

Ah I see. So you mean you gonna use this https://uac.com.my/ for your car porch roof?

The wires can be hidden?

Gypsum board is healthier option compared to fiber based board, i was told.

You personally use this?

Yes

Yep, don't buy magnetic as they are usually slim profile, buy those standard one usually have space to hide wires.

first thing first.. renovation to add new power point, plug, wire route.. with condition current distribution wiring capable to support. whole house will be hack here and there..

u need to think of aircond fixture.. fans power point .. some old room only have 1 point for light.. same goes to kitchen area.. wifi and router ..

later on to add cctv power point, smart home..


mean better u settle this first..

once this wiring plan well, then u can think about light feature, smart home, fans, aircond.. additional plaster ceiling..

Ah yeah that's true. Btw what's the best solution to overcome some old room which only have 1 point for light?