apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I had an ugly fluorescent light in an apartment years ago. I used a chinese paper parasol to cover it up. They're very cheap in asian markets.

I opened it up and cut the handle off it and hung it with string and a paperclip as a hook.

For $8 it was a cost-effective solution and did well to diffuse the light.

Replace it. A new fixture from ikea or off craigslist won't be much more expensive than buying materials to 'hide' it. hanging a new fixture is quick and easy - probably easier than jury rigging a new 'cover', even if you have to replace the original when you leave.

You can also buy a more expensive fixture that you like and take with you when you leave. I've used the same fixture in 6 different places. Far better than always putting up with whatever fixture happens to be in whatever place you find yourself.

I just saw something over on Make where the writer just made a simple rectangular frame and covered it in some opaque white fabric to diffuse the the fluorbulb and then just hung it from the ceiling.

Replace it. If necessary have an electrician install a standard junction box, then you can put up any kind of (not flourescent!) fixture you want. It should take any good electrician less than an hour to put a junction box.

Lamps Plus is my favorite place to buy light fixtures and they have a lot that will give even Ikea a run for the money.

http://www.lampsplus.com

As to the landlord - he'll thank you, no doubt.

put a grid cover over the bulbs then hang a whole schwack of chrystal drops, or glass balls at slightly different heights covering the under surface- this will add some glam in a chic industrial sort of way and diffuse the light nicely!!

Easy. Don't use it. I never use an overhead light in my bedroom.