The Easiest Ways to Decorate an Old Lamp

If your old light fixtures have lost some of their shine or you just want them to match your updated furniture or decor, there are a few simple things you can do to give them a new look—and you don’t have to do much. to start. Here’s how to freshen up old light fixtures instead of replacing them.

Before you begin your light fixture project, you will need to turn off the power to the light fixture at the junction box. When I do this, I like to attach a piece of tape to the switch of the device I’m working on so that no one accidentally turns it back on while I’m unplugging it. Before you start working on the wiring, double check that you have the right light fixture by turning the light switch on and off.

Then remove the thumbscrew or use a screwdriver to unscrew the device cover, being careful to support its weight so that it does not strain the wiring. To make it easier on yourself, you should take a photo of how the wires connect before you disconnect them so you can put them back together correctly when you’re done.

How to spray paint an old lamp

If you have a metal fixture, one easy way to update it is to use spray paint. There are types of paints specifically designed for metal that will give you the most success. Masking any parts of the light fixture that you don’t want to paint, and leaving old burnt out bulbs in their sockets is a good way to protect them from paint. You should also be sure to cover any wiring or plastic parts to avoid damaging them. Spray the fixture in an even, thin layer to avoid drips. If necessary, you can always apply a second coat. Once the paint is dry, you can remove the tape and hang the light again.

Add a medallion to the ceiling

Another way to give an old light fixture a new look is to add a ceiling medallion . They are mounted on the ceiling around the hole from which the wiring comes out. There are medallions that split in half so they can be attached with the fixture installed, but they will need to be caulked and sanded to seal the seam. You can think of them as lamp moldings. A medallion can also be used to cover a large hole from an old light fixture without having to patch the ceiling. Having chosen a medallion, you can paint it to match the ceiling, cornice or lamp. Then use a nail fastener to attach it to the ceiling and hang the light again.

Change the shade or globe

If you have a light fixture with glass shades or globes , you can replace them with a different style or color, but you will need to determine what size you need. Most fixtures use a standard size fitting to attach the shade or globe. The size that matters is the size of the hole into which the fixture fittings fit. If you don’t know what size your fixture needs, you can measure the diameter of the opening or take your old shade to a hardware store to compare it with the shades they have. The benefit of replacing a lampshade or shade on a light fixture is that you can do it without running any wiring or using any tools other than a stepladder or ladder to reach the light.