Next, check the conversion kit package to find out what tools you’ll need. If the cap isn’t big enough to cover the hole in which the current light resides, pick up a ceiling medallion to bridge the gap between the cap and the ceiling. For example, if you plan to replace a round recessed light, make sure the cap of your new light is round, too. To get started, choose a pendant light that speaks to your personal style and, just as importantly, has the same-shaped connector at the top as the hole in your ceiling. Still, the dramatic effect of a pendant light is well worth it when other recessed lighting options won’t do. Changing to a Pendant Using a Conversion KitĪ conversion kit requires a bit more effort than installing trim does. In those cases, you can use the existing wiring to replace recessed lighting with a pendant or chandelier fixture using a recessed light conversion kit or change the entire setup of the light and use a standard fixture. When you take on a major renovation or change how you use a space, sometimes even the best recessed lighting is no longer the right choice. Convert a Recessed Can to a Non-Recessed Light Push the trim against your ceiling for a flush-mounted look. Using your pliers, grab a spring and pull it through the corresponding hole in the housing of your new trim, then do the same with the other spring. They should have either coil springs or the bottom of spring stems attached to them. Next, locate the plastic or metal tabs that sit perpendicular on both sides of the can light. You’ll need a ladder to reach the ceiling and some needle-nose pliers.įirst, set up your ladder beneath the light and remove the bulb from the socket. How to Install Decorative TrimĪdding these decorative trims to your existing lights is relatively easy. Double check your light’s parameters before you settle on a type of trim. For example, not all trims can handle the heat of line voltage recessed lights. While you can find trims in almost any shape you want, make sure the one you choose is compatible with your current type of recessed lighting. Hammered metal adds an industrial appeal, and frosted glass delivers a traditional look. Glass, chandelier-type trim hangs from flush against the ceiling and refracts light throughout the room, while a colored-glass trim piece turns an everyday can light into an artistic focal point that delivers a soft glow. This gives you the flexibility to change your lighting style without committing to a full-scale conversion.ĭecorative trims are available in just about any style you can imagine. If you want to keep the recessed lights you have but alter their appearance, try decorative trims that sit over them and make them appear to be flush mount ceiling lights. Recessed lighting unobtrusively places task lighting where you need it in your space and fills in gaps in down-lighting to unify a large room. However, when you change how you use a space, such as when you add an island to your kitchen or transform your office into a nursery, your lighting needs may change, too. When you replace recessed lighting, you can make dramatic changes to the look and function of your home with just a little know-how.
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