Is that just a mirror or a medicine cabinet? If it's just a mirror, you could probably make some square paper shades to hang on the wall over the light bulbs out of some balsa wood strips and some pretty white paper. Another idea would be to take the bulbs and a picture of the lights to your nearest home improvement store and track down someone in the electrical department- I have found that a lot of times, employees are happy to help someone figure out a solution to a conundrum like this. Another option is to get a socket to plug converter and get a lamp that you can mount over/around the mirror, then plug it into where the socket is and come up with a creative solution to hide all the wiring.

I feel for you. Bare bulbs give me migraines so I deal with this sort of thing every time we move. My favorite solution is making shades out of vellum. You can use decorative tacks to make the paper bow out from the wall far enough so you can still change the bulb when needed. That should keep it from getting too hot, too. If done well, it's a very easy solution for a common renter problem.

Hi Ashley - how about clip-on shades, the kind that clip onto bulbs and are often used on chandeliers? You'd need to make sure the bulb and shade are compatible - many of them are candle-type bulbs. That could be a nice retro look, too! Good luck, and please let us see the results!

Lighting Designer here - Check out www.schoolhouseelectric.com, they have a great selection of retro-reproduction style shades. Looks like the light bulbs sit in a deeper socket, is there a little screw in there? If so, then there were glass shades of some sort. Measure the diameter - this will be the 'fitter' size and purchase accordingly. Just make sure you have clearance from center of socket to back of wall. Alternatively, go to a lighting store and ask for 40 watt T10 bulbs, frosted... and install a cheap dimmer switch. That will give you good control/options. Good luck!

You might be able to fit matte glass shades over the bulbs, try rejuvenation.com - they have different sizes you can fit to your fixture.

I also like the clip-on shade suggestion a
la Kittie.

I was also going to suggest clip on shades. Also, as stated above, it that's a vintage fixture with a screw at the base (or even a hole for one) you should be able to get some glass shades to cover the bulbs. They have a surprising assortment of those glass shades even at home despot and slowe's.

I like the vellum suggestion. I was thinking some kind of diffusing material to put in front of the bulb, if it's too close to the wall to use a clip-on shade.

Why didn't the fluorescents fit? Wrong socket size, or too close to the wall?

There are clip on half shades too.

Check these out - the clip portion is most important, but you could customize the shade material/shape to your liking.

http://compare.ebay.com/like/120653842860?ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=178348918542&crlp=1_263602_304662&UA=WXI7&GUID=d9e348931270a0437a531c23fff8ec4d&itemid=120653842860&ff4=263602_304662

How about installing a dimmer switch? You could also try getting those "pastel" light bulbs. They have a warmer tone and are less stark.

Two words- half shade.

How about changing to pink light bulbs? They sure make you look better and are less harsh. I like the dimmer switch idea, too.

You can get small lampshades (online or at any lighting store) that have a wire armature inside that is designed to sit on a lightbulb.

I had the same issue in my "master bath" [put in quotes b/c it's teeeeny, but hey, at least I got one]. I have since switched to dimmers in there (and in the bedroom and kitchen), and I love it! Found all the hardware I needed for a couple of bucks at the local Habitat Restore, but you can grab what you need for $10-15 at a big box hardware store.

Designer here!...Honestly, I wouldn't waste your money trying to make these lights better. You money would be better spent to purchase a new medicine cabinet without lights attached and have an electrician wire for new wall mounted sconces. This will add value to your home by "updating" the lighting and doesn't cost as much as you may think. Good luck!

www.ChristinaMarieInteriors.com

Paint the bulbs!!!

We have an older home with (intentional) bare bulb lighting fixtures. We have gold-painted light bulbs that give wonderfully warm, soft light. It was a huge improvement! We get them at local lightbulb store - which obviously aren't everywhere - but I think Rejeuvenation has them.

When I was renting, I used rice paper shades for situations like this, too.

The harshness/softness of a light has to do with the physical size of the light source is. A bare bulb is a pretty small light source. Anything you can do to make the light source effectively larger will soften the light. Adding a lamp shade (as suggested) will do just that. You can also shop for oversized light bulbs that are designed for vanities. You just have to make sure that they fit in the space. Something like this might work:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_76541-3-14624_0__?productId=1100579&Ntt

Another option (abeit ugly) would be to use reflective bulbs, which would direct light upwards and illuminate your wall and ceiling. By doing so, it'll turn your wall and ceiling into a huge light source and provide some very soft, even light, much like a torch lamp does.

Clip on some cheap, paper lantern globes. You don't typically leave lights on unsupervised in the bathroom so they should be safe enough. You can easily switch out the colors too or replace them if they get old. Craft stores sell them for $1 apiece.