While I have been putting down the roadbed it has become it has become painfully obvious that I need to add more lighting to the layout room, so I decided to do something about it. My plan all along with this layout is to build everything so that it is removable with a minimum of damage to the room, just in case we decide to move and have to restore it back to a bedroom.
With that in mind I decide to add a couple of surface mount fluorescent fixtures connected to the existing fixture box via a box extension and some pvc conduit. This way the only repairs I have to make to the ceiling if we move are to fill 4 screw holes.
Here is the existing fixture
Here are the parts to add the fluorescents, minus the conduit. The first thing I did was to remove the existing fixture, then temporarily install the box extension and take some measurements to where the new fixtures were going to go. After I had my measurements I cut the pvc conduit and assembled it to the box extensions with the threaded fittings. I took this assembly out to the garage and gave it a coat of satin white paint.
Once the paint had dried I installed the assembly to the existing box, then located the fluorescents and installed them. Next I ran the wiring through the conduit, connected everything up, and finished it off with a single incandescent to cover the box extension.
I have to say that it makes a huge difference in the room now. I should have done it right after I painted, but live and learn....