If you’re looking for an easy way to improve the feel of your home, read on to see the power of simple light fixture upgrades.
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One easy, low budget way to completely transform a space is to simply upgrade a light fixture. Lighting is one aspect of our homes that we don’t often realize what a big impact it can make on the overall feel of a space. The fixtures themselves and the light bulbs used both play a big part in setting the mood for a room and the activities that take place in it.
Here are some photos that show the light fixtures in our house when we first bought it:
While there may not be anything wrong with these light fixtures, they do little to bring cohesion and beauty to the spaces they are in. Many of the rooms in our house just had plain light bulb sockets in place of a fixture. All of these lights also give off bright white light that can make a space feel harsh. Different shades and colors of lights can make a huge difference. Check out the difference after upgrading light fixtures in a few spaces:
1. laundry room
While completely changing this room certainly helped, the difference in warmth and style that just the light fixture brings alone is huge. Check out this light fixture off of Amazon here, and read more about our laundry renovation here!
2. mudroom
Again, this space was fully renovated as well, but notice how the upgraded light fixture gives so much warmth and sets the mood for the space. Both of these photos were taken at night. The upgrade makes the space feel inviting and calming compared to the harsh light of the plain bulb. Here is the link to this vintage inspired adjustable pendant light. You can read more about our mudroom renovation here!
3. hall bathroom
Even without a pretty lightbulb, this quick upgrade made a huge impact on a tiny space. You can find this little light fixture here, and it even has a dimmer!
4. back entryway
Even in the middle of a construction zone, switching out this boob light to a simple, clean fixture can make the space feel more inviting. We want this space’s focus to be on the pellet stove that will eventually be reinstalled, so we kept the fixture super simple but made sure it matched the vibe in the rest of the house.
Picking Out Light Fixtures
A few things to consider when upgrading a light fixture are your goals for the space and the planned use of the room.
If you want the space to be comfortable and warm feeling, a statement fixture might not be the best route. Features like a plain glass shade and no patterns help to blend a fixture into a space. Upgrading to a piece that has bright colors or metals and a more striking bulb can be a focal point to a room. Consider how the light fixture would either complement or contrast in a particular room as both of these can work well in different situations.
Further, if you plan to hang out and read in a space, think about the shape of the light fixture and the light bulb used. Bright light can signal productivity, strength, and openness while using a warmer, dimmer light can provide a more relaxing and cozy space.
Light can have a huge impact on a space and our mood when we’re in it. Light fixture upgrades can be a really easy, budget friendly way to improve the feel of a space with minimal effort.