DIY // Update Your Kitchen Lighting on the Cheap

It's only taken 9 months, but we have finally replaced our ugly boob lights in the kitchen.  Can I get a woot woot!

I know some of you are thinking what's wrong with boobs?  EVERYTHING if you're talking about lighting. I consider these builder's grade flush-mounted lights the Achilles heel in room design. We have at least one in every room of our home. Our kitchen boasted three — one in the center of the room, one above the sink and one in the nook. We knew we needed to replace them and the center light and the one above the sink were the first to go.

We tackled the first light back in May.  We picked up the IKEA Alang light {$39.99} for its simple style its neutral color and its woven texture.  We were a little nervous going into it since we had never installed a light before, but luckily those helpful DIY'ers over at Young House Love posted a how-to a few days after we picked up our light.  {Thanks guys and perfect timing!}  It was a really simple update that I am so happy with.


Here's our little look back at the lighting situation and what the kitchen looked like before our changes.  Remember, we removed the soffit, installed new windows, installed new drywall, installed the cabinets, painted the cabinets, installed trim and most recently, installed pendant lights above the sink.

The pendant lights were a more recent addition.  I picked up two oil-rubbed bronze mini pendant light kits from HD for $15 each and then went on the hunt for some glass shades.  The options at HD were minimal, didn't have much personality and the glass was quite thin so I checked out our local Goodwill and found the motherload of glass shades.  All were priced around $1 and ranged in both size and style.  I found these glass shades and was instantly smitten with their urchin-esque texture.

Installation was MUCH simpler than we had imagined and it was another one of those projects that made a huge difference in the end. We still have the nook's light to replace and are thinking we might add a few recessed lights here and there.  With these two light installations under our belt the hardest part will be choosing the type of light to install.

To see how we replaced our old boob light with these hybrid {part salvaged, part new} pendant lights, visit my latest Houzz Ideabook.

Lift a Room's Look With a DIY Pendant Light

Our little remodel sure is trucking along and the end is definitely in sight. We still are saving our pennies for all those finishing touches like the crown molding, new counters {goodbye hundreds of grout lines and metal trim}, a sink, a faucet and backsplash tile but this current transitional phase is definitely liveable.

So what about you guys?  Have any DIY light installation stories of your own?  Have any lights you've happened upon that you just love?



Disclaimer:  As a Contributor I have been compensated for any Ideabooks featured on Houzz, although I am not compensated for sharing Houzz ideabooks on Revamp Homegoods.  All opinions expressed here or that of the writer and are in no way influenced by Houzz.