Create an ideabook for your next remodeling project!
Browse more than 1,000,000 photos from top designers and save your favorites
Lift a Room's Look With a DIY Pendant Light
Help your kitchen hang with the best of 'em with a pendant light kit and a salvaged glass shade
Houzz Contributor. Meg is a budget-minded DIY lifestyle blogger at Revamp Homegoods (http://www.revamphomegoods.com). Her design philosophy is based on the concept that combining thrifty finds with a little blood, sweat and (sometimes) tears a stylish home can be achieved without breaking the bank
Houzz Contributor. Meg is a budget-minded DIY lifestyle blogger at Revamp... More »
A variety of lighting options in a room can take it from dull to lively — lighting makes a great finishing touch in a room redo. We have numerous lighting fixtures in our home — numerous so-called "boob lights," that is. 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.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
While I'd love to complete a marathon removal of all those lights, the spot above our kitchen sink was our first stop in the overhaul. The existing light's proportions were all wrong, and two mini pendant lights would be just the right touch of practicality and beauty. While this wasn't this room's finishing touch, it sure did help put the end in sight.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
We created our own pendant lights for less than $20 each.
Materials used:
• Westinghouse Oil-Rubbed Bronze Mini Pendant Lighting Kit
• Westinghouse Safe-T Pan
• Glass shade
• Utility knife
• Drill
Materials used:
• Westinghouse Oil-Rubbed Bronze Mini Pendant Lighting Kit
• Westinghouse Safe-T Pan
• Glass shade
• Utility knife
• Drill
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
After turning off the power, we carefully removed the existing light above the sink.
Note: Always refer to your local building codes when planning any home improvement project.
We referenced Black & Decker's The Complete Guide to Wiring, which provides detailed step-by-step instructions for many electrical projects and is fully compliant with the most recent National Electrical Code.
Note: Always refer to your local building codes when planning any home improvement project.
We referenced Black & Decker's The Complete Guide to Wiring, which provides detailed step-by-step instructions for many electrical projects and is fully compliant with the most recent National Electrical Code.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Next we measured and marked the center of where our pendant lights would be installed. We chose to center them above each side of our double sink.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
We assembled the pendant lighting kit according to the manufacturer's instructions and attached the glass shade. There are numerous varieties of shades available at big-box stores, but we purchased ours from a local thrift store for less than $1.
The pan kit includes its own hardware and instructions for mounting.
The pan kit includes its own hardware and instructions for mounting.
|
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| We centered each pan on our marks and traced around the perimeter. |
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Next we cut out the circular slices with a utility knife.
|
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
|
| To mount the Safe-T Pans, we first predrilled a hole in the center of each, which was later used to feed the electrical wiring through. Then, referring to the manufacturer's instructions, we mounted the pans to the ceiling. |
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
If you're not comfortable doing your own wiring, call in an electrician. Otherwise, measure the desired length for each pendant light and trim off any extra wiring, leaving a few inches extra for leeway.
With the power still turned off, we fed the electrical wiring through the predrilled hole and connected it to the pendant light's wiring. (Refer to an up-to-date wiring guide and the pendant kit for specific instructions on working with electrical wiring, and for troubleshooting help.)
Then we turned the power back on and checked that the wiring was connected correctly.
With the power still turned off, we fed the electrical wiring through the predrilled hole and connected it to the pendant light's wiring. (Refer to an up-to-date wiring guide and the pendant kit for specific instructions on working with electrical wiring, and for troubleshooting help.)
Then we turned the power back on and checked that the wiring was connected correctly.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
Finally, we patched the hole left by the original lighting and primed and painted the ceiling.
by Meg Padgett
»
Like it? Save it to your Ideabook »
With these beautiful pendant lights installed — and illuminating my least favorite workspace — we have only one more step to complete our kitchen remodel: installing crown molding and door trim.
Ideabook published on Oct. 3, 2012.
What are you working on?
News From Our Partners
Latest Ideabooks
View over a million photos:
