Tip #118: Swap the lights.
As you’ve probably grasped, my general approach to living in a rental apartment tends toward making as few drastic changes as possible. (In case you need a reminder about how I’m currently dealing with my bathroom: head here.)
There’s always going to be something that’s not quite right. In our last apartment, I didn’t like the kitchen cabinets. In this apartment my dislike for the kitchen cabinets is overshadowed by my dislike for the bathroom. Suffice to say that if we owned our house, we might make a few tweaks and changes to both. But it’s likely that in this place, neither bathroom nor cabinets will get any kind of overhaul. You know how it goes.
But there are other kinds of apartment improvements that require a little bit of know-how, a little bit of daring, and a little bit of time, but that are ultimately doable. That’s the kind of fix I like to focus on.
In this apartment that kind of fix has been the light fixtures. Because a bad light fixture is so bad, and a good one is so good. And with just a little bit of dedication, a swapped light fixture—or even a capped light fixture—can make all the difference.
In this apartment, for the first year, we took a similar approach. We took the shades off our ceiling fan lights and replaced the bulbs with clear, round vanity bulbs. We removed a wonky white chandelier that hung awkwardly close to a wall, and capped the place where it hung. In our bedroom, we satisfied ourselves by simply never turning on the ubiquitous boob light that hung above our bed.
But after nearly a year in this space, we got a little bold. (And a little tired of walking around in the dark.) So we replaced the boob light and the old chandelier with two simple ceramic lights from Schoolhouse Electric. And just like that, our humble abode feels more like ours. (We’re still doing our best to ignore the fan. At least it’s white.)
Bonus: our tiny bedroom floor plan, as reflected by our new silver-capped light bulbs. A double-bed, a dresser, and a crib in one little room. Plus three.
PS. Seriously: Please exercise caution when messing with your electricity. If you don’t know how to change a light fixture, definitely ask for help. And don’t come a knockin’ if your landlord is none too pleased with your redecorating.
PPS. Who knows how to reupholster? Our little bench needs halp!
Disclosure: Schoolhouse Electric generously gave us our two new beautiful lamps. Yes, we’ll be taking them with us when we go.
Tiny apartment survival tips #1 – #117, RIGHT HERE.
37 Comments
that second picture.. incredible!
lighting is everything, worth every ounce of effort it takes to make it right for you 🙂
Thanks!
Sobering.
Good luck!
Lighting is so important! This post was a reminder that we need to tackle our light fixtures. We have horrible lighting in our apartment :/
xo
Rachel
Good luck!
Burning down the studio would definitely not be a good thing, but little lamps sounds like it's working out!
Totally! (And thank you!)
For me, outdated and ugly kitchen cabinets in rental is an elephant you need to learn to cope with because you know…..but the ugly and ugly light fixture I just cannot live with. But the thing is that you can do something about the light and you can slurge on the fixture you love cause you take it with when you move. I like your light on the ceiling. Very cute!
Totally! (And thank you!)
There isn't a lot of light in my apartment; I live in a studio and the only ceiling lights are in the bathroom, the tiny kitchenette, and one that gives off a very dim light in the rest of the apartment. So I make do with lamps, because I'm not allowed to change the light fixture, unfortunately. I tried using candles for a while but that didn't make the room bright enough and it made me worry that I might accidentally burn down my studio.
Burning down the studio would definitely not be a good thing, but little lamps sounds like it's working out!
AMAZING work, Carmella! Now to borrow a sewing machine (and learn some sewing skills!)!
Nope, new to me! Just added to my reader!
Thought you would find this article on 27 people sharing one apartment in Manhattan relevant.
It might be interesting for your "life in a tiny apartment" series.
http://nymag.com/nymetro/news/features/1869/
Sobering.
Love the fixture! I'm in the process of selecting lights from SE for a design project I'm working on. Your bench is a wonderful candidate for a slipcover, using painter's drop cloth – seriously. Wash and dry 3 times first to take the shrink out, then it's good to go. It's been over four years since I made ours, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat, even with three boys in our 665 sq ft house! P.S. Hmm, not sure why it's calling me anonymous! Here's a link if you'd like to see: http://www.assortmentblog.com/assortment/2013/05/becoming-home-a-photo-tour-1.html
AMAZING work, Carmella! Now to borrow a sewing machine (and learn some sewing skills!)!
When I arrive tomorrow, I'll be packin': a staple gun and some lovely linen you (sort of) asked me to store for you…surely, with pluck and vigor, we won't need skills!
Erin, TELL ME you've read Carmella's blog before!! It's one of my favorites!
Nope, new to me! Just added to my reader!
Whoever Doe is is awesome and your new best friend or maybe already your best friend. Either way, Doe-you're awesome!
If the bench is not precious, you can reupholster with a staple gun. 🙂
I do..I took a reupholstery class once upon a time. It's fun. A fitted slipcover might be better.
What oh what do we do about awful fluorescent kitchen lights?!
Your bench looks sooo uncomfortable. Is that where you sit to relax???
No! There's a huge overstuffed sectional just out of the frame! Just kidding! It is where we sit to relax but it's much more comfortable than it apparently looks! Wool-stuffed and cozy!
What a stunning second photo! I'm not too handy myself and usually resort to using table/floor lamps when I don't like apartment lighting (and in my last apartment, the ceilings were too high to reach without a full ladder). I'm impressed by your approach.
Is this bench the west elm Settee? Or additional seating that you've acquired? I was sure the Settee had tufted detail on the back, but maybe I'm mistaken.
This is a different bench. An old bench of my sister's that has since lived in two different offices before making it's way to our place.
Love the light bulb reflection. What a great shot. Do you feel like these bulbs give off a natural light?
Thanks.
I have a reupholstery project too. When you do get around to do it, I'd love to know what fabric choice you made!
How beautiful! Can I ask where that "Homestead" print is from? It's beautiful and so simple!
I know this is a super old post at this point…but I’m definitely on the hunt for a similar bench! they seem hard to track down! anyone have a notion?
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