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Step 1
Remove any glass shades & outdated elements. Take off the crystals & look at the bare bones of the piece to see if it is salvageable.
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Step 2
If you have a light fixture where all of the arms are pointing down with glass globes over them, remove the globes. You may be able to turn the arms facing upwards like a traditional chandelier, just check your wiring to make sure it's still safe.
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Step 3
Spray paint it. There are bronze & even hammered finishes of spray paints that you can pick up for a few dollars. Instead of a silver paint that will never look silver or a brass paint that will never look brass, try a bright teal, pink or white for a fresh, modern look. Use a gloss finish to really make it stand out. For a more neutral lighting fixture try a London gray or Espresso color.
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Step 4
Try a new bulb. Many of the designer light fixtures are simply ordinary chandeliers with special bulbs in them that are perfectly round. Switch to an updated bulb.
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Step 5
Spruce it up. Add new shades & crystals so people won't be able to pick out what era your light came from.
Comments
newmama said
on 1/9/2009 This is a great idea! I love how creative you can be with a light fixture.
veryirie said
on 1/7/2009 FANTASTIC! I redid an old chandelier about 10 years ago. The metal work was fantastic, but the finish was horrid. I spray painted it white and then restrung a whole bunch of colorful beads and prisms on it. I gave it away to my friend's just married daughter and she has it hanging in her laundry room. No kidding; it is so funky and looks perfect there. ha Great article!! 5*