Elevating Our Hall Bathroom: A Modern Industrial Lighting Upgrade
For far too long, our hall bathroom remained one of the least talked-about spaces in our home. Despite living here for 17 months, this essential room has only made fleeting appearances on our blog, primarily for minor fixes like knocking down a towel bar or addressing a toilet issue. We initially considered a specific paint color, but since a similar shade found its way into our guest bedroom, we found ourselves back at the drawing board for this space. However, we’re thrilled to announce a significant step forward: a much-needed lighting upgrade that promises to redefine the room’s character.
Out with the Old: Addressing the Builder-Basic Blues
The existing light fixture in our hall bathroom wasn’t inherently bad, but it lacked any distinctive appeal. It exuded a generic, builder-basic aesthetic that felt uninspired. With its long line of exposed bulbs, positioned above an equally long vanity and mirror, it created a somewhat stark, almost “backstage makeup room” vibe. We knew we desired something with more personality – perhaps a fixture with greater height and less width, yet substantial enough to complement the large vanity and mirror without appearing delicate or out of place. Our ongoing mantra was: if we found something we truly loved, we’d upgrade and happily donate the original, knowing it might find a more appreciative home elsewhere.
Our search wasn’t urgent, but we kept an eye out during occasional visits to home improvement stores over the past year and a half. Nothing truly resonated or sparked that “aha!” moment. That is, until about a month ago, when Sherry stumbled upon a gem while browsing Joss & Main online.
The Perfect Find: Embracing Industrial Charm
The moment we saw it, we knew this was the one. The dark bronze finish immediately caught our eye, and we were drawn to its distinctly industrial and somewhat outdoor-inspired feel. This design aesthetic harmonized perfectly with other fixtures we’ve incorporated into our home. It subtly echoed the outdoor fixture we ingeniously installed in our guest bathroom to achieve an industrial look, as well as the existing light on our front porch, which came with the house. This consistent stylistic thread helps tie the different areas of our home together, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere.
Adding to its appeal was the price tag: a remarkable $60. This was a significant discount from its original $100 price point and considerably less expensive than many of the less-inspiring alternatives we’d encountered at brick-and-mortar stores. The combination of ideal aesthetics and an attractive price made the decision an easy one. We clicked “buy,” feeling a mix of excitement and the familiar DIY-project anticipation.
The Installation Journey: From Box to Brilliance
The “breaking news” we’re excited to share is that this new light fixture has finally found its place on our bathroom wall. Like many DIY projects, it sat on the counter, taunting us with its potential, for a few weeks before we carved out the time for installation. The process, while straightforward, presented its own unique set of challenges and amusing moments. Thanks to the mirror’s strategic placement, I found myself inadvertently capturing numerous selfies during the photography process. And with the bathtub inconveniently situated in my workspace, I had to play the role of a human tripod on several occasions – a role I quickly discovered my head wasn’t entirely level for.
Powering Down and Dismantling
For anyone new to light fixture replacement, the first and most crucial step is always safety. Before touching any wires, I made sure to turn off the power to the entire house. Our fuse box isn’t labeled with the precision we’d prefer, so a full power shutdown eliminates any guesswork or risk. With the electricity safely off, I carefully removed all the glass shades and bulbs from the old fixture. Being a smidge accident-prone around delicate items, extra caution was certainly warranted. Once the fragile components were safely stowed, I proceeded to unscrew the fixture from the wall, liberating it from its long-held position.
Uncovering the Wall’s Past
With the old fixture detached, it revealed a large metal mounting plate that had been secured to the wall. This revelation also came with a less pleasant discovery: a considerable amount of nasty dust and grime that had accumulated behind it over the years, perfectly explaining my less-than-thrilled expression in the photo. It’s a common sight during home renovations, a reminder of the hidden histories within our walls.
Unscrewing this metal plate further exposed the wall beneath it, revealing an imprint of what once was. This included unpainted areas that the old fixture had covered, a touch of surface rust, even more dust, and remnants of old paint drips from previous jobs. This patchwork of imperfections meant that a seamless installation of the new fixture would require a bit of prep work.
Prepping for a Flawless Finish
Before proceeding with any sanding, Sherry, ever the diligent project manager, retrieved a lead paint test stick. We had purchased a pack from Home Depot about a year ago, and they continue to prove invaluable for older homes. We were relieved to receive a negative result, confirming that the old paint was lead-free and safe to disturb. With that assurance, I broke out my trusty, cheerful little palm sander. The goal was to smooth out the ridges left by the previous paint layers and existing imperfections, ensuring that our eventual repaint job in this room would have the best possible chance of looking flawless and seamless. While repainting is still a task for the future, as we continue to deliberate on the perfect color, this preparation is a crucial step towards that ultimate goal, and rest assured, we’ll keep you updated on our color choice!
Mounting the Modern Light
With the old fixture successfully removed and the wall prepped, it was time to introduce the new star of the show. Here’s how it looked fresh out of its packaging, an exciting promise of the transformation to come.
The next step involved screwing in the mounting bar, which is typically a simple task. However, as is often the case with DIY, an unexpected hurdle emerged: the screws included with the fixture didn’t fit our existing junction box. This necessitated an impromptu run to the hardware store for compatible screws, a common but sometimes frustrating detour in home improvement projects. Once we had the correct hardware, securing the mounting bar was straightforward.
With the mounting bar in place, I proceeded to connect the electrical wires – matching like to like, as is standard practice – and then carefully screwed the new fixture into its permanent position. For the moment, we pretended that giant unpainted spot on the wall wasn’t there, focusing on the immediate victory of the installed light.
The Reveal: A Touch of Character
Once the metal shades were securely affixed and the bulbs were screwed into place, our new and improved light fixture was ready to shine. I’m also happy to report that my “head-tripoding” skills seemed to have undergone a significant improvement by this point!
We are absolutely charmed by the distinct character this new light brings to our otherwise still-developing hall bathroom. The two 100-watt bulbs provide ample illumination for our small space, bathing it in a warm, inviting glow. We particularly love how the dark finish of the fixture beautifully balances some of the existing dark accent tiles scattered around the room, creating a thoughtful, cohesive look. Its slightly aged, industrial aesthetic perfectly complements our older home and the various other vintage-inspired and industrial lights we’ve integrated throughout. While the bathroom is far from its final form – with big plans for framing out the mirror, painting the walls, updating the vanity and its hardware, addressing the window, and hanging some art – this lighting upgrade is a monumental step. It’s an inch-by-inch progression towards what we envision as a truly cool and stylish space. We hope, haha!
Beyond the Price Tag: Quality and Aesthetic Value
One of the most satisfying aspects of this transformation is how much better our new fixture fills the space above the mirror. Its increased height provides a much-needed visual balance, especially with the ceiling-height shower curtain on the opposite side of the room. We’re genuinely impressed with the quality of this light; it looks significantly more expensive than its $60 price tag. The fixture feels sturdy, not flimsy, and its dark color boasts a truly matte and authentic appearance, contributing to its high-end feel. The subtle distressed areas add to its charm, preventing it from looking mass-produced. Instead, it evokes a sense of history, as if it were an inherited piece with a story to tell – even though, in reality, it’s a recent acquisition.
The transition is officially complete: the old light fixture has already been dropped off at our local Habitat For Humanity ReStore, where it will hopefully find a new purpose. We’re optimistic about sharing another update soon, perhaps with our chosen paint color finally revealed. That giant mirror, too, will achieve a much more polished and “legit” look once it’s framed out. However, given the sporadic nature of our hall bathroom posts so far – alongside updates for our guest bathroom, playroom, and sunroom, which are other largely untouched spaces – I should probably refrain from making any firm promises. But rest assured, we’ll get there eventually!
Your Bathroom Decor Journey: Share Your Insights!
What exciting projects have you been tackling in your bathroom lately? Have you hung new art, updated your lighting, or perhaps found the perfect mirror? We’d love to hear about your favorite bathroom paint colors or any design dilemmas you’ve overcome. Do you ever feel nervous ordering a light fixture or any decor online without seeing it in person? We must admit, we had a moment of “sweaty palms” when we clicked “buy” on this one, but we are so glad we took the chance. Your experiences and tips are always welcome!