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Retro lighting: Square recessed can lights – reproductions

pam kueber - Updated: November 10, 2020

Retro Renovation stopped publishing in 2021; these stories remain for historical information, as potential continued resources, and for archival purposes.

Update: Very old story; all the links now broken. If you are looking for this lighting, you’ll need to google the companies mentioned.

The recessed lights throughout my 1951 colonial-traditional ranch are all in square housings. I also have two recessed lights on the stairs to the basement that are longer rectangles. From my trips to estate sales, I think that square lighting was much more common than round cans in the postwar era, although round was used.

I have searched high and low for replicas of the squares, and the best that I have found so far are the Halo lights in the drawing above. There are several other makers that have similar designs – but this company seems to have the most choices when it comes to lenses, including the cool “Glass Drop Opal Splay,” which is directionally similar to the lenses in the lights in each of my three bathrooms. I also am showing photos of the Nora lights, with both “albanite” (appears to be what we’d call “frosted”) and “fresnel” (or “pressed glass”) lenses. These are also directionally similar to historic lights, which at minimum were frosted, and often included frosted patterns, or a decorative pressed glass shade kind of ‘dropped down’ from within the housing. In terms of overall dimensions, the 8″ square is right on with the Nora – same as mine.

I do have one key issue relative to authenticity: The visible housing for these are all metal (I presume) painted white. As far as I’ve been able to determine – from extensive, obsessive online searching — nobody has them in chrome, which is absolutely positively preferable. If any readers know otherwise, please share!

In case you want more options: Thomas Lighting also offers an 8″ square with what appears to be a frosted shade. And, Progress Lighting has two choices, in 9.5″ and 11.5″ squares (see very last page of their Recessed housings page). I would check with a lighting authority – but I presume you could buy and cut patterned glass to fit, just be sure of fire safety.

These lights are great in hallways, small bathrooms, mudrooms — anywhere, really, with a low ceiling and compact volume. And, they are absolutely classic above a kitchen sink, tucked into the bottom of the soffit. Watch on your travels into midcentury homes – there are some great ones!

I do caution, however, about using them in a larger space in multiples. There is something about a square that stops your eye, compared to a circle. In my kitchen, for example, round cans were a much better choice – actually providing a nice counterpoint to the square room, square cabinets, square floor tiles…and repeating the round exhaust fan, table, and retractable light.

The “right” choice – comes from “eyeballing” the situation. But a starting rule: Small room, one light, go square. Larger room, multiple lights, go round.

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  1. Kay says

    I have 8 of the square recessed lights in our 4-car carport. This carport was added in the mid 60s. The covers are missing from the fixtures; therefore our cars are covered with dead bugs and droppings. I think the covers were taken off years ago by prior owner because the lights were going out frequently and it was such a hassel to replace bulbs. We now have the new long lasting LED bulbs in the fixture, but I need 8 covers. I believe you might be calling them diffusers. Where do I just find the glass or plastic diffusers? These lights are 9 3/4″ square inside the trim. Thanks for your help.

  2. Rob says

    1952 house with outdoor rectangular recessed fluorescent light fixtures….need to find a replacement or idea. They are approx 18 x 9 inches. Ideas? Help!

    • pam kueber says

      hard to say without seeing photos of what you’re talking about / the situation. can you post photos online and then add a link?

  3. SaundraA says

    It’s interesting that only white fixtures are available now & that chrome was the standard (?). Ours have a copper border & frosted glass.

  4. Jenny says

    Anyone found any more sources for these lights? I have two that I’d like to replace on the ceiling of my front porch; would love to find two of the Fresnel-style diffusers if possible. Mine are 8″x8″.

    Thanks!

  6. John says

    I have a 9-inch square recessed ceiling box that takes a 10-inch square cover (with the “torsion” wires). Does anyone know if any 9-inch boxes (housings) are available anywhere? If not, has anyone tried one of the Halo 9 3/8″ square covers on an older 9-inch box like mine?

    Thanks!

      • John says

        Pam,

        Thanks, I just looked at both sides and didn’t see them. I’m searching using terms like “ceiling light cover” and “recessed lights” with no success. And/or could you please post a link?

        Thanks,

        John

    • pam kueber says

      i suppose it depends on the design… mine hinge down from one side, like opening a breadbox…

      • John says

        Hi Janet and Pam:

        My lights are on two hinges that pull down. They are old Pry lite Lights. I can find replacements any where. The new stuff is too small and not as powerfull.

  8. John says

    Looking for original Crome recessed light cover in a square. Box is 8 5/8 and the Crome frame mesures 9 5/8 made by pry-lite. Thanks to new technology, and 120 watt cfl, it’s just as bright as a what I replaced it with. Restoring my 50’s kitchen and want to put the original recess light back. It’s still all there accept for the light socket, reflector, and cover. If anyone can help me locate one I would be very happy. The halo uses that thin wire to connect, and I have to connect to spring loaded hinges on the box. Thanks all!

    • Sasha says

      I’ve seen that cover on Amazon, too. However, my recessed lighting is not perfectly square. It is 7 1/2″ x 4 3/4″.

  10. Sasha says

    I have a 7 1/2 x 4 3/4 recessed lighting above my kitchen sink. When we purchased our house, the original cover was not included. My husband and I have been slowly fixing up the house, and we are working on the kitchen. I have been looking for a more updated cover for it, but have not been able to find anything. Any ideas would great.