Sure, it’s super easy to change light fixtures, but sometimes, you just can’t. If your space is really temporary, like a dorm room or a short-term let, or even if you don’t have access to switch off the electricity, then a refit is out of the question.
Here are a few ways to deal with ugly light fixtures that won’t cost you your deposit.
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1. The Tulip Shade
This is our favorite option for covering an ugly light fixture. You simply mount a ring around your existing fixture and then clip the fabric shade into place. There is zero electrical work involved and you can take it with you when you move!
The Tulip lamps come in three shapes and a variety of colors.
2. DIY Basket Pendant Cover
This DIY tutorial from Sugar and Cloth will make your boring pendant fixtures look very chic, using little more than a stylish basket.
3. DIY Drum Shade
In this tutorial from Hawk Hill, they show you how to hang a drum shade over an existing rental fixture for softer, more filtered lighting.
4. Lamp Shade Pendant Lighting
Take an old lamp shade and turn an existing pendant into something more chic or add extra lighting to any room in your house with this tutorial from City Chic Decor.
5. Parasol Light Cover
Hang a beautiful paper or linen parasol over an old light fixture to give your space an entirely new look.
6. DIY Capiz Shade
This DIY Capiz tutorial from The Heathered Nest will be a serious (and affordable!) upgrade to those boring boob lights. She also has a great tutorial for turning a boob light fixture into a drum light in this same post.
7. DIY Sunburst Light Fixture
A very affordable lighting upgrade from Suzanne Kryton Design. You only need a little time, a round frame, skewer sticks, a hot glue gun, and gold spray paint.
8. Make a DIY Geometric Brass Pendant Light
An easy tutorial from the Curbly team to turn an pendant light into a DIY Geometric Brass Pendant Light.
Actually I like the original square light fixture except for the big round thing in the middle. I think that round part that twists on could be replaced with a smaller piece – all the ones I have seen are very small.