How to Dress Up Old Ceiling Fans and Outdated Light Fixtures

Lighting is an important element in any interior design and isn't always cheap to update throughout an older home. Dress up your old ceiling fans and outdated light fixtures instead to save money in your decorating budget for other things.

Dressing Up Brass
The use of Brass is one of the top design dilemmas for a lot of styles, including any theme that is contemporary or modern. It can be everywhere in some houses, from sconces to chandeliers and overhead lighting. The good news is that it is very easy to update the look of it. Buy a spray primer from your local home improvement store that is meant for use on metal and a can of metal spray paint as well. They come in a variety of colors, from a chrome like finish to a faux wrought iron look. Tape off anything on the ceiling fan or light fixture that isn't made from this metal, including bulb sockets and globes that are not removable. Spray a coat of primer over the entire surface first. Allow it to dry thoroughly before adding the color coats. Read Spray Paint the Right Way: It's All in the Wrist for tips on how to build the color evenly and have a polished finished look without blotches, globs or streaks.

Dressing Up Globes
Ceiling fan globes, or the glass from any overhead light or sconce, can be made to fit into any interior design with the use of paint as well. Head to the local craft store and buy glass paints in the desired color. While there, look at small stencils and pattern books for ideas on how to decorate the globes to fit in with the theme of the space. For a an extra special touch, read Stained Glass Lamp Base for instructions on how to turn any clear lighting fixture into an eye-catching addition to an Art Deco or other colorful scheme in a room.

Dressing up Ceiling Fan Blades
Remove the blades of the fan. Spray paint them a solid color, using cans that are specifically meant for the material that they are made of, which is usually plastic or wood. Bring them with you to the home improvement store if you are not sure what the material is and ask a clerk for help in deciding the best product to use for this project. Paint one side one solid color and the other another hue for the added bonus of being able to change them out whenever you want a new look for the room. Add stencil designs that fit a specific theme, or special ones of items such as holly and wreaths on one side if you like to redecorate your whole home for the holidays. Read Interchangeable Ceiling Fan Blade Designs for another great alternative to painting them using magnetic sheeting. This is a great look in a more modern space with a contemporary design.

These tips on how to dress up old ceiling fans and outdated light fixtures are easy ways to update any older lighting elements in your home. Transform the look of your whole interior design in minutes, for a lot less money than the cost of replacing them.

Additional Tips:
You can use these same techniques on old glass or plastic square overhead lights as well.

Wash all of the surfaces with a mixture of warm water and a touch of dish soap to remove any dust, dirt or other residue before starting. The trick to a successful finished decorating project is to start with a clean one.