I've never liked the light fixture in the bathroom of our apartment. And then, after I gave the bathroom a little facelift, I liked the light fixture even less. I searched for a new fixture in my price range for a few months but to no avail. And then I finally came up with a quick, easy, and cheap way to upgrade the fixture.
Rather than change out the entire fixture, I decided to replace the shades on the existing one. The old shades were never my style but then after I repainted and restyled the bathroom they really didn't match the room at all. The new shades are a more simple design which now fit the modern feel of the room.
I also switched out the lightbulbs with new compact fluorescent bulbs. The new bulbs not only look better with the new shades, they also give off a whiter, truer light.
Now, I still don't love the light fixture but while I continue to search for the perfect new one, these shades will keep me temporarily satisfied. And at $2 per shade, it was a small investment for some temporary pleasure.
Images: Jason Loper
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Great, simple budget effective update.
Nice. The shades totally change the look of the fixture.
I kind of like the fixture the way it is now, those shades give it a sort of retro modern style. Great idea.
Whoa, we have the same problem: my wife and I have been looking for a simple, two-bulb bathroom fixture for months and months, which you think would be easy, but we can't agree on any. Also, we haven't really seen any that we feel we like right away, not just have to settle for. Maybe it's b/c we've only been looking at fixtures less than $100...
Nice, not just budget effective but also a great choice to not just rip it out and buy something new. The translucent glass focus your eye on the chrome fixture, which I like.
I think the updating and the whole light fixture is perfect for the space. From what I see of the bath, it has the same finish and it has both circles and squares much like the various other fixtures. The back of the light fixture, mirror, the wall mount of the towel holder and the outlet are square. The rest of the light fixture is round as is the soap dispenser and the ring of the towel holder.
so, from what I see you have a great set up there.
Yeah, I think I'd leave that $6 makeover just as it is. It looks great!
I wouldn't spend any more after this - It looks just great now.
I like this just as is
I have a vintage lamp hanging in my living room with ugly vintage shades. I've been meaning for months now to source new shades. I love the look of your light fixture now - it's inspiring me to get off my bottom this weekend and fix my light.
I did a similar fix with our light fixtures, only I added paint.
Ours were a terrible 80s "brass" finish that didn't go with our more modern house. I took them down, spray painted them with a brushed nickel finish, and changed the shades to something actually quite similar to yours. They look awesome.
$6 plus a can of spray paint? Perfect.
The Pottery Barn filament light bulbs would look great in these!
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/filament-bulb/?pkey=call-shades-accessories#BVRRWidgetID
Did you paint the walls before yourself? What colors did you use and did you use a semi gloss and matte? It is very nice and clean. I want to do something like that in my bedroom. Can you tell me what you used?
If you're looking for a cheap source of replacement shades, you might look at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. My local store has a nice supply of them.
This is fabulous. I wouldn't change it now as this totally brings the light fixture into harmony with the style of the bath.
This suits the decor a lot better! Great little (tiny even) improvement!
Truly you don't need a new fixture. That one looks great."you might look at a Habitat for Humanity ReStore. My local store has a nice supply of them"
Mine does too. I've also donated lighting stuff I didn't have enough of. I've found some nice ceiling fixtures there too.