Eventually I want to get rid of our drop-down ceiling so didn't want to do anything fancy or complicated in the least. We just changed out the trim around the box and used some custom panels. While this look is far from my first choice, it was the only thing Hubby would agree to. Everyone that sees them loves them and they do go with our kitchen "look".

Lit:

Unlit:

There are some that look like stained glass. That's what I wanted to use but Hubby didn't like them.

ngng treated it like sarchlos by just taking the old down and adding trim. It looks like a tray ceiling.

Here is a link that might be useful: ngng's finished kitchen

it's just one fluorescent light fixture set inside a box that is roughly 2'x6' and 7" deep.

Because it's so long & narrow, I think you have to fill it in. Sounds like the box is set in between the ceiling joists? (How tall are the ceilings in the kitchen & living room?)

Patching in with drywall is an inexpensive solution. I totally suck at drywall finishing but, lucky for me, I love Spanish knife/ skip trowel texture. It's easy & fun to do and covers up drywall oopsies. So, if that appeals to you, one option would be to patch in, tape the seams and texture & paint the ceiling in the kitchen & LR. Cost would be less than a coupla hundred dollars plus the cost of a new light fixture.

I did one for a customer that we frammed for sheetrock covering. We installed recessed lighting in the frame work and then covered with drywall. It made the old feel look new and modern.

Our ceilings are all 8' (except in the light area in question). Our ceilings are almost smooth, just a very very light texture on them and I don't think we could match it ourselves.