As an Akron/Canton home stager, one of the most common recommendations that I find myself making during the staging consultation process is to replace outdated light fixtures. Outdated builder-grade light fixtures do nothing to enhance the appeal of a property.
Homeowners are sometimes reluctant to follow through on this recommendation because they don’t want to incur the cost of an electrician to install new fixtures, or deal with drywall patching and other minor repairs that often go along with the process of replacing a fixture.
Fortunately, there are a variety of relatively pain-free options for dealing with this home staging challenge. Today, I will highlight four of these options:
1. Spray paint your existing fixture
If your lighting fixture is of the dated brass finish variety, but has “good bones” so to speak, then spray painting it may be your best option. All you have to do is head on over to Pinterest and do a quick search for light fixture painting tutorials, and you will have all of the information that you need to pull off this easy D.I.Y. project. For instance, check out this step-by-step guide at Folk Lifestyle.
2. Change out the shades
If you have a chandelier that screams 1993, it may simply be time to change out the chandelier shades. Replacing traditional bell-shaped shades with a more contemporary drum shade in a neutral color such as the one featured below can sometimes make all the difference.
3. Use a conversion kit
Many home improvement stores now offer various conversion kits that make changing the look of your light fixture a snap. For example, many popular home decor sites such as Ballard Designs and Home Decorators Collection sell conversion kits that enable you to easily transform a recessed light into a pendant light:
Got “Hollywood-style” bathroom fixtures? Despite the name, this type of fixture is anything BUT glamorous! Lowes offers the Vanity Light Refresh Conversion Kit to remedy this common eyesore.
4. Install a wireless LED light
Another option for adding on trend lighting in your home is the use of wireless LED lights that can be installed anywhere and requires no wiring. You could remove your old light fixture and simply place this new one on top of the fixture mounting plate. This option is also great for creating additional lighting in a room in which the current lighting is inadequate.
This fixture sold in the Improvements Catalog requires 2 D-size batteries includes a remote control wall switch so you can turn it on and off just like a standard light.
Bottom line: if you are selling your home (or just want to freshen it up a bit), there’s no need to be intimidated by the process of updating those fixtures any longer!
Want to learn more about Natalie Gallagher or Refined Rooms? Visit Refinedroomsllc.com