Feeling stuck in a decorating rut?
You CAN change your home without renovating.
One of the easiest things you can do to update any room in your house is to change the light fixtures. Lighting makes a huge difference in any room. Plus…
You don’t need to break open walls or spend major bucks doing it.
From updating your dated dining room fixture to adding recessed lights in the kitchen, replacing light fixtures throughout your house will give you instant gratification. Lighting was the third most popular minor home renovation made by homeowners in 2024 according to Clever Real Estate, with 35% having replaced their light fixtures.
See, it really is that popular.
Table of Contents
- Why Light Fixture Installation is So Important
- Lighting Your Home Room by Room
- DIY vs Hiring Help
- Picking The Perfect Fixtures
- Don’t Make These Lighting Mistakes
Why Light Fixture Installation is So Important
Why do light fixtures matter so much?
Lights are more than just functional. They help set the mood and draw attention to architectural details. Homeowners can make rooms feel larger and more open with the proper lighting.
One dark corner or outdated fixture can ruin an otherwise beautifully decorated room.
Consider this:
That brass baseball stadium lighting you got from…wherever you got it from….in 1999 isn’t doing your new sofa any favours. Take it down and install a modern fixture to instantly elevate your space.
Light fixture installation also improves the functionality of each room. Under cabinet lighting makes meal prepping easier on the eyes. Dimmers let you set the mood in the bedroom. Directional track lighting can highlight your collection of whatever you like collecting.
As with any home renovation project, knowing your lighting installation pricing will help you create a budget you won’t break. Costs vary depending on what fixtures you need and job complexity.
The moral of the story?
Lighting makes everything better.
Lighting Your Home Room by Room
Every room of your home doesn’t need to be lit the same way. Design each room’s lighting based on its purpose.
Kitchen Lighting
When planning kitchen lighting, layering is key. Mix overhead fixtures with under cabinet lighting and pendant lights above islands for the best results. Layering your lighting allows plenty of light for chopping veggies while still providing ambient light for entertaining guests.
Recessed lighting is always a winner in kitchens. They allow for even lighting that doesn’t clutter your ceiling like bigger fixtures can. Use them in combination with statement lights over kitchen islands.
Living Room Lighting
Flexibility is important when lighting your living room. Install dimmer switches wherever you can to allow adjustment of light levels to match activities. Dimmers let you crank up the brightness when entertaining and tone it down for movie nights.
Your living room should have:
- Overhead lighting
- Floor lamps to create ambient corners
- Wall mounted sconces for ambient lighting
Don’t be afraid to mix it up and get creative with your lighting choices.
Bedroom Lighting
Bedrooms should feel cozy and relaxing. Bright overhead lights don’t belong in bedrooms. Instead, topdress your beds with bedside pendants or install wall sconces opposite where your head will be on the bed.
Statement light fixtures like chandeliers work well in bedrooms. Master suites can handle the extra drama, and it doesn’t overwhelm the room.
Bathroom Lighting
Functionality is critical in bathrooms. Install vanity lights on both sides of your medicine cabinet to avoid shadows on your face while grooming. Add some recessed lights in the shower for safer bathing experiences.
Pro tip: Look for “damp location” or “wet location” rated light fixtures when shopping for bathroom lighting.
DIY vs Hiring Help
Here’s a fun question for you…
“How hard can light fixture installation be?”
If you’ve ever tried DIY lighting you know the answer. It can be VERY difficult, depending on what you’re trying to do.
Swapping one fixture for another is easy. Just make sure the power is shut off at your breaker box before starting. If you’re not changing the location of the light, replacing an old fixture with something similar is pretty straightforward.
But don’t try these DIY lighting tricks at home.
- Adding new wiring or electrical circuits
- Installing giant chandeliers that may need reinforced mounting
- Adding recessed lighting
- Any project that may require permits or electrical code compliance
Houzz’s 2024 U.S. Houzz & Home Study discovered more than 9 in 10 renovating homeowners hired professionals to help with their home improvement projects. They aren’t the only ones who realize hiring professionals saves time and often money in the long run.
Dealing with electricity isn’t safe for amateurs. Bad electrical work can lead to fires, shocks and expensive damage to your home. Licensed electricians have the knowledge, tools and insurance to do the job right.
Remember this:
If you don’t feel 100% sure about something, hire a professional. Don’t take chances when working with electricity.
Picking The Perfect Fixtures
Need some advice on how to pick fixtures that fit your style?
Don’t stress! Here’s how to do it.
Think about the room’s function. Lighting over countertops, kitchen islands and desks should be brighter and more focused. Lighting bedrooms and bathrooms should be more relaxed and ambient.
Match the fixture style to your home’s décor. Modern homes look amazing with crisp white fixtures and simple lines. Traditional style fits better with ornate details and warm metallic finishes.
Make sure your fixture fits the space. Lighting that is too big looks goofy in small rooms. Dining room lighting should hang 12-24 inches above the table. Tiny fixtures look lost in large rooms. Measure your spaces and scale your lighting to fit.
LED light fixtures aren’t just a trend. They are more expensive initially, but they save you money on your electric bill. Also, they last way longer than standard light bulbs.
Don’t Make These Lighting Mistakes
Light fixture installation really can be DIY, but you still might run into these problems…
Not paying attention to the fixture weight. Old plaster and drywall ceiling boxes weren’t made to hold today’s huge chandeliers. Check the box weight capacity before installing heavy fixtures. A falling light fixture can do some serious damage to you or your home.
Letting style trump function. That sexy chandelier won’t do you any good if you can’t see! Style should enhance function, not fight against it.
Incompatibility. LED bulbs don’t work with all dimmer switches. Not doing your research could leave you with strobing lights and a heavy headache.
Taking shortcuts. Jumping right into installation without reading the instructions is a surefire way to run into problems. Take your time, read the directions and gather your tools before you start.
Wrong scale. Hanging a micro pendant light over a banquet style dining room table is ridiculous. Don’t guess at measurements, measure twice and buy fixtures you KNOW will look good in your space.
Bringing it All Together
Hopefully this guide has shed some light on light fixture installation.
To sum it all up:
- Different rooms have different lighting needs
- Layering your light sources can help set the mood
- Some lighting projects are DIY-friendly. Others should be left to the professionals
- Be sure to pick fixtures that suit your home and rooms’ purpose
- Avoid these DIY light fixture installation don’ts
Freshening up your lighting can transform a whole house. Rooms that felt drab and dull can look bright and brand new with a few carefully chosen light fixtures.
One room at a time. Take your time. Enjoy watching your home transform before your eyes.
And that’s how to brighten up your home room by room.