Replace recessed light with a light fixture

September 25, 2020

I've been having fun with the small hallways we have in this house. Our home is very open but has a few of these little spots that I want to make special. 

I feel the same about smaller spaces like powder and laundry rooms -- they are the perfect spot to do something dramatic and fun! 

I've already given the hallway off the kitchen a makeover
floral blue white wallpaper hallway

You can read all about that at the link above. I LOVE that wallpaper and am so happy with how that space came together. 

I shared another "hall" last week that's next on my list: 
small foyer makeover

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It's an area off our foyer that transitions to the basement stairs and bathroom. Our foyer is a calm and pretty spot and I want to continue that feel into this area.  

I showed you how I added the art light without electricity
picture light without electricity

And the next step was to add another lighting hack to dress up the space a little. 

I've shared this easy adapter before when I worked on the hallway pictured above. Did you know you can easily change up a recessed can light to hang a pendant light? You just need this light converter

recessed light pendant converter

You just unscrew the existing light bulb, then screw in this instead. You can adjust the length of the cord to whatever you want. 

Then you use this white part at the bottom to attach your new pendant cover:
Converting recessed light to pendant

This works for a pendant light fixture (like a glass cover or shade), but you can also adapt a recessed light for a regular hanging fixture using this converter

Recessed light converter to chandelier
If you want a heavier or bigger light fixture that's what you'll want to use. 

I've always loved the look of basket pendant lights and found this one at IKEA: 
basket light pendant IKEA

But when I got it up, it just didn't work. This space is small, but it still needed something more substantial. I think going small in a small space only emphasizes the smallness. Got that? ;) 

This is the second time I've tried a basket light and I'm realizing it's just not my thing. I tried though! So instead, I went to the basement for the lamp shade I have from IKEA. 

It used to hang in that wallpapered hallway I shared above, but I hung the white version there instead. (Both are from IKEA.) I've always loved the color on this one and the cut outs are so pretty! It worked SO much better!: 
Ikea lamp shade light cover

I just love these shades! I just remembered I also have one above our tub!:
large lamp shade pendant over tub

I love the detailed cut outs -- they're slightly different for each color. 

I also really like the gold lining -- it's a beautiful detail, especially when the light is on:
large lamp shade pendant

You can use a regular bulb, but I find bigger, globe bulbs like this one look better in a shade like this. 

You may notice I also painted the ceiling in this small area. It's a light blue called North Star, at 50 percent: 
perfect blue ceiling color

If you love a paint color but would prefer it a little lighter or darker, they can adjust that for you at the paint store. 

This is the same color I used on the foyer ceiling right next to this space: 
Foyer board and batten Everett table

The light shade is a really pretty grayish green color that works perfectly with the art in the hallway: 
change recessed light to pendant

The next step for this little makeover is the biggest one! I hope to share that one with you soon! 

These converters are an easy way to add a little flair to a space with a recessed light. No electrical experience needed. :) 

This lamp shade trick for ceiling fans is another great hack!: 
add lamp shade to ceiling fan



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Comments

  1. Did you happen to make the art? It's quite nice and great in the space!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No, it was from Target, but I don't think they sell it anymore!

      Delete
  2. What brand is the North Star paint? Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  3. What color is that lamp shade? I don’t see that color on ikea’s website. Also, what size did you choose?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's a gray/green color in the smaller size (I think 17 inches?). They may not sell this color anymore.

      Delete
  4. I stumbled onto your blog. Now I am going to do these things.
    We are still living in the big house and really I am ready to shape this place up and hopefully sell in a year or two.
    I love the black hardware. I see you did door hinges and handles too? or were those purchased? Well done.

    ReplyDelete

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!