How to Update a Brass Chandelier

Remove the light bulbs and the crystals from the brass chandelier. If you plan to use the same crystals on your updated chandelier, wash them with glass cleaner.

Clean the chandelier with rubbing alcohol. Rubbing alcohol removes fingerprints and helps paint adhere better. Allow the alcohol to evaporate completely.

Spray paint the chandelier with your choice of metal paint colors. A black chandelier works in many different settings, from sophisticated to casual. Nickel, bronze or platinum chandeliers complement a sleek, modern design. You can also update a brass fixture by painting the base in shades of purple or blue to create a gypsy chandelier. Make sure the brass is covered completely; it may take more than one or two coats. Allow the paint to dry between coats.

Re-attach the cleaned crystals to the chandelier. Another way to update the chandelier is to change the color of the crystals to coordinate with your new look. Black crystals hanging from a black chandelier creates a completely different look than sparkling clear crystals. Gypsy chandeliers are known for the array of colorful crystals dangling from the fixture. You can purchase crystal strands and crystal prisms from online retailers.

Add crystals to update a plain chandelier. Paint craft wire so you can make crystal hangers to match the chandelier base. Cut small strips of wire and wrap them around the arms of the chandelier wherever you'd like to hang a crystal. Look for glass trays that fit over the light fixture at online crystal retailers. These bobeches have six tiny holes around the tray where you can hang more crystals to update your chandelier.