Hey AT,
This is a tough one...my best friend has a lighting dilemma. Having recently moved to NYC she now lives in a much smaller space, and her bedroom is now in the basement. The light in there was an awful fluorescent ceiling fixture that she hated. So she has taken off the cover, and now it is just a bare lightbulb...
Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to:
chicago(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
She is trying to think of ways to disguise it (they are only renting so only want to cover it up, not necessarily change it). Her boyfriend's suggestion was to, um, hang tapestries! Oh no, she really, really wants to avoid that but can't come up with anything. Any ideas? Thanks AT!
-Tiffany
Dear Tiffany,
Pass along this similar question from March to your friend. We agreed with the readers that chimed in saying the best solution is just to replace what you hate (even if you're renting). A few others chimed in with some unusual DIY creative solutions, too...(covering with linen, placemats, parasol, drum shade, etc).
Anyone else?
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Comments (5)
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.
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.