When you rent your home, it can be tough to know what you can (or cannot) change, and one common question among renters is “can I change the light fixtures in an apartment?”
You can generally change light fixtures in a rental apartment, as long as you re-install the original apartment light fixture before moving out. With that said, different landlords have different policies, and you should always check your lease or get your landlord’s permission before making significant modifications.
Alright, now that we’ve covered the general rule of thumb, let’s walk-through the other details you need to know in order to change those ugly old fixtures!
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Can You Change the Light Fixture In An Apartment
Now that you’ve decided to change your unattractive light fixtures to a more stylish option, you will first need to explore what kinds of fixtures are available. Keep in mind that apartments usually offer limited space and choosing the perfect new light fixture can change the look of a whole room.
1. Choosing the Light Fixture
Here are a few of the most common styles of lighting fixtures to consider.
Flush Mounts
A flush mount fixture is basically a dome-shaped light fixture that is mounted flush to the ceiling. Also, there are semi-flush-mount fixtures that hang just below the ceiling.
These may be the type of light fixtures that are already hanging in your apartment. They are usually relatively inexpensive and tend to be the standard fixture that landlords choose.
This type of lighting gives the illusion of higher ceilings, making the rooms look larger. These work well for pretty much any room in your home.
Sconces
A sconce is a type of light fixture that is affixed to a wall in a way that uses only the wall for support. The light is usually, but not always, directed upwards and it does not have a base on the ground. They can be used to provide general room lighting, but are mostly used decoratively or for accent lighting.
Wall sconces are typically installed in pairs to provide balance, but there is no actual rule. If you only have the option to hang one that is ok too. They are ideal in a bathroom to save vanity space.
Sometimes they are hung in the bedroom, in the form of swing arm sconces, placed next to the bed to provide a source of task lighting and save some nightstand space.
Track Lighting
Track lighting is one of the most effective lighting sources for a small living space. It provides surface or accent lighting without the clutter of too many floor or table lamps. Since there are many heads on track light fixtures, you have the option to deliberately direct light wherever it is needed.
The advantage of track lighting is that it only requires one installation. It’s a great option when you need lots of light in a compact space.
When deciding which type of light fixture you would like to hang in each room of your new home, it is beneficial to decide what activities will be performed in each room and what type of light will be required. There are 3 different types of light, each used for a specific purpose.
2. Choosing the Type of Light
Ambient Light
The main source of light in each room is referred to as general or ambient light. This type of lighting provides a room with overall illumination.
It can refer to natural outdoor light coming in through the windows, or normal room lighting coming from ceiling lights or table and floor lamps. Ambient light gives the room an evenly dispersed light for the space.
Task Lighting
Task lighting provides extra light for specific tasks in a room that may already have ambient, or general, lighting. Most rooms in an apartment are small enough that one, or even two, fixtures will provide adequate light.
Sometimes it is beneficial to have a lamp on your desk or side table for focused reading, or maybe, some under the counter lighting in the kitchen for things like measuring when cooking. Task lighting is a great option when looking to improve functionality in a room.
Accent Lighting
Accent lighting is used to draw focus directly to a particular area or object. Perhaps you have artwork, plants, or even a bookshelf that you would like to draw attention to. The perfect way to achieve this effect is accent lighting.
This can be achieved using candlelight, track lighting, or sometimes even sconces. Accent lighting is used mostly to create visual interest in a room.
Once you decide which type of lighting you need in each room, you’ll also need to select the specific lightbulbs you plan to use. Let’s cover lightbulbs next.
3. Choosing the Perfect Lightbulb
If you have recently shopped at any store that sells light bulbs you have probably realized that there is a pretty large and confusing lightbulb section.
Once you have selected your new fixtures, it is important to equip them with just the right lightbulb to ensure you are getting the best lighting result.
Here are a few quick tips regarding lightbulb choices and what they mean, so you don’t have to spend all afternoon in the lightbulb section trying to understand the minutia on each box.
Bulb Color
Changing the color of the light source in your home is an easy way to change the feel and style of the place.
The color of the bulb is determined by using the Kelvin temperature scale. Lower Kelvin numbers mean more yellow light, higher Kelvin numbers make the light whiter or bluer, respectively.
- Soft White is in the yellowish range and is perfect for bedrooms, living rooms, or dens
- Warm white is between the yellowish and white ranges and is nice for kitchens and bathrooms
- Bright white is between the white and blue ranges and works well in kitchens or bathrooms with chrome or white fixtures
- Daylight is in the blue range and works well for reading
Wattage
Each lamp or fixture that you purchase for your home should come with instructions providing the maximum wattage rating.
You can choose whatever color light you like best. However, when choosing the wattage, be sure to follow the recommended rating to prevent your fixture from overheating, and possibly catching fire.
Now that we’ve covered fixtures, types of lighting, and lightbulbs, let’s cover your options for how to change your light fixtures.
4. How to Change a Light Fixture
The safest option for changing a light fixture, always, is to call an electrician. However, if you choose to change them yourself, make sure to do it safely and turn off the electricity.
Here are 5 basic steps to help you change your light fixtures:
- Make sure the power is off
- Remove the old fixture
- Locate the white wire (neutral), black wire (power), and green or bare/ground wire, and remove the wire nuts
- Attach these wire nuts to the new fixture
- Secure the new fixture to the ceiling or wall
To get a clearer idea of how this works, I found this short video super helpful:
Alternatives To Replacing a Light Fixture
If replacing a whole life fixture seems too daunting or your landlord said no changing the light fixtures, there are a couple of other ways you can elevate or style your apartment.
1. Plug In Wall Sconces
This is a great addition to a bedroom or living room and can help save space if you don’t have room for a floor lamp.
These plug into the wall and can be mounted anywhere you might want them. Some can be mounted just using command strips or they may be drilled into the wall.
If you have to drill into the wall, check out our post about putting holes in apartment walls and how to repair them.
Here’s a good option for a plug-in wall sconce from Amazon (note: we receive commissions at no cost to you).
2. Plug in Light Fixtures
Just like light fixtures, there are also full-on light fixtures that can be plugged into an outlet instead of hard-wired in.
This is a great way to change the overhead lighting in your rental without having to remove and replace the already existing features. You could even hang them in such a way that they cover the old light fixtures.
Most of these light options come with a ceiling hook or pulleys for easy installation. Here’s a good option for plug-in pendant lights from Amazon. These plug-in pendants have easy installation and multiple color options (note: we receive commissions at no cost to you).
3. Lamps
If you don’t want to mess with hanging or installing at all, you can always opt for a floor lamp or a lamp on bedside tables.
You just have to find where you want it and plug it in. The hardest thing about floor lamps is choosing the kind of lamp you want for your space.
They’re available in every possible combination of style and size. You can look on Amazon for options, but I recommend you go to a store to see the exact lamp before you buy. This can help you choose the perfect lamp for your home.
Related Questions
Can I change the faucet in my apartment?
Changing the faucet in your apartment is a question you should discuss directly with your landlord. They may not approve, given that if it is done incorrectly, you could cause significant damage. As a result, it’s not a good idea to risk changing your faucet without written permission from your landlord.
Are tenants or landlords responsible for changing lightbulbs?
Renters (tenants) are typically responsible for replacing lightbulbs within their rental homes. This includes the purchase of new bulbs. However, this can vary and you should check your lease for the specific expectations. For example, some landlords prefer to do the replacement themselves.
