I like to have 2 different sets of lights - working lights, which are akin to what I have in my living room. And "working lights" or more properly "cleaning/technical work" lights - bright enough to land a 747.
With that in mind - I find I can often just leave the fluorescent fixtures where they are, treat the area around them to absorb light (depending on the situation, either paint it dark or hang something up there that's dark) - then the living room style lights can leave enough shadow up there that the ugly fixtures are not bothersome.
Then, when it's time to pick up/clean up/run cables I can put the ugly lights on long enough to get the job done.
2 levels of lighting works like a bastard for me.
JW