8 Lighting Hacks That Take 15 Minutes or Less

Upgraded and out-of-sight

For spaces that require brand-new lighting on a budget, skip the more expensive and time-consuming lighting wired into the walls and ceiling and use adjacent mirrors or framed wall art to cover your cords, like interior decor creator and DIY aficionado Everything Eryn. No coverage available? Eryn recommends wireless LED bulbs, a slightly more expensive but equally renter-friendly option. For those who want to hold on to their older fixtures, add wireless switches for an easy cordless update.

Get attached (to the wall)

For a small space upgrade that can make a huge difference, trade your table or floor lamp for a sconce, preferably one with an adjustable position. “Drill into that wall and install that sconce you’ve been wanting—you can always patch up the holes later,” says Thana Pramadono, a New York–based designer known for her work with Lichen. “A sconce is always great for tight spaces—a pivoting one especially, serving dual purposes: ambient or desk.”

Little Wing Lee, founder of Studio & Projects and Black Folks in Design, also notes that “plug-in sconces are an easy way to dress up a space without paying for an electrician.” She recently collaborated on a collection of sconces with RBW.

Be more (in)direct

What’s better than lighting? A lack of it, or rather facing your lighting away from the room and toward a wall or corner where it can cast an indirect glow for a more ambient and diffused look. Genki Matsumura of the Mexico City–based design duo Parafernalia, recommends thinking more about where your light doesn’t face: “I find that trying to keep a balance between direct and indirect lighting inside the home can really be helpful for transitioning through needs and moments throughout the day,” he explains. Pointing a lamp to a corner can reveal less perceived dimensions of the space.”

Go hard on hardware

It’s easy to get caught up thinking about the bulb or shade when thinking about updating your lighting, but one big underappreciated upgrade is changing out your light switch or outlet covers, both of which add an elevated touch to your lighting systems and help a space feel more refined. “If you have a very low budget, porcelain sockets that you get at the hardware store are great,” adds Daye.

Get low with your lighting

The hazard of a direct overhead light is something we can all agree on, but many are still relying on default eye-level or tabletop lighting when positioning their lamps and more. Want to give your space an instant facelift and cozier mood? Bring your lighting closer to the ground with low-slung lamps or floor lights that ground the space.

“We often have a preconceived notion that a lighting device should be placed on a table top, eye level, [or] above our heads,” says Pramadono. “However, a low placement provides a warm glow from the bottom up, kind of reminiscent of a cozy fireplace.”