Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This article about kitchen & dining room lighting is sponsored by Lighting Design, winners of the 2025 Showroom of the Year Award by Dallas Market Center.
When springtime hits, so does the urge to freshen up your living space. There’s nothing like longer, brighter days to shine a light on the little things you wish were different. But before you start knocking down walls or taking drastic — and expensive — action, here’s a secret many people overlook: one of the easiest ways to transform a room is already built into it. It all comes down to choosing the right lighting. The right fixture can change the mood, improve how a space functions, and instantly make a room feel brighter, bigger, or more updated. It’s such a simple fix, you may wonder why you didn’t try it sooner. Here’s what you need to know to get started.
Lighting changes everything
Lighting does more than help you see. It shapes how a room feels and how you use it every day. As Kristin Hohenadel explains in an article for The Spruce, good design includes three types of lighting: ambient (overall light), task (focused light for cooking, reading, or working), and accent (light that highlights artwork or architectural details). When those layers work together, a room feels balanced, bright, and welcoming. If a space feels off, your lighting might be the reason.
Small swap, big impact
You don’t have to repaint walls or replace furniture to create a fresh look. Swap out an outdated chandelier. Add a pair of wall sconces. Replace a basic builder-grade fixture with something more your style. Those small changes can make a room feel bigger, warmer, or more modern almost instantly.
A refresh doesn’t have to be complicated
Spring updates don’t need to be expensive or overwhelming. In many cases, changing a light fixture is a manageable weekend project that delivers noticeable results right away. And if you’ve ever assumed installing a new fixture would be too technical or time-consuming, you might be surprised.
Changing light fixtures is easier than you think
If you’ve thought about upgrading the lighting in your home but feel intimidated by the process, here’s some good news: in many cases, you don’t need an electrician. With the right tools and about 30 minutes, swapping out a standard light fixture can be totally manageable. Here are seven basic steps to guide you:
- Step 1: Turn the power off. This is crucial — don’t skip it. Flip the breaker for the room you’re working in and turn the wall switch off as well. For extra safety, use a voltage tester to confirm the power is off.
- Step 2: Remove the old fixture. Take off any shades, glass, and bulbs. Unscrew the fixture from the electrical box, remove the wire connectors, and gently untwist the wires.
- Step 3: Attach the new bracket to the electrical box. Secure the new mounting bracket to the electrical box, making sure to thread the wires through so they’re ready to connect.
- Step 4: Measure. Chandeliers and pendants should typically hang 30 to 36 inches above tables or counters. Adjust the chain or downrod to the right length, then trim and strip the fixture wires as needed.
- Step 5: Connect the wires. Match the fixture wires to your home’s wiring by color. Connect white to white and black to black, then attach the ground wires (usually green or bare copper). Twist the exposed wires together and secure them with wire connectors.
- Step 6: Secure the fixture. Depending on how heavy your fixture is, you might want two people on hand to help with this step. Follow the fixture’s assembly guide first, then tuck the wires into the drywall/electrical box. Next, secure the light fixture canopy using the included hardware to the bracket.
- Step 7: Turn the power back on. Head back to your breaker box and flip the switch back on. Don’t forget to admire your work!
For more detailed guidance and a list of supplies you’ll need to change light fixtures in your home, be sure to check out this blog post on the Lighting Design website.
See your home in a new light
Once you see what a difference good lighting can make, it’s hard not to want to update every room. The right fixture doesn’t just brighten a space — it completely changes how it feels. Lighting Design makes it easy to find something that fits your style. Their Generation Lighting collection features a wide range of wall sconces, lanterns, chandeliers and more, all designed to illuminate and elevate whatever space you’re working with. And it doesn’t stop there. From indoor and outdoor lighting to ceiling fans, light bulbs and even furniture, they offer everything you need to pull a room together from top to bottom. If you’re ready for a little inspiration, start browsing their website today and see what’s possible. This is a sponsored article brought to you by KSL TV in conjunction with the advertiser. The advertiser paid a fee to promote this article and may have influenced or authored the content. The views expressed in this article are those of the advertiser and do not necessarily reflect those of KSL TV, its parent company, or its staff.Privacy Policy
