How to Upgrade Your Rental Lighting Without Losing Your Deposit
You don’t need to sacrifice style just because you rent.
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Photo by Schoolhouse
Each week, interior designer, artist, and self-proclaimed color obsessive Lu Loveless shares a peek into her design process—whether it’s a smart trick she swears by or a favorite resource from her personal folder. This week, she’s starting with the basics: how to confidently choose a color palette.
Just because you're renting doesn't mean you're sentenced to builder-grade light fixtures and that one sad ceiling fan in the living room. Your home should feel like an extension of your personality, and lighting is one of the easiest places to start making that happen. No electrician required.
Rethink your sconce
Photo by Tulip Shades
If you're stuck with dated or downright ugly sconces, you've got more options than you think. Brands like Tulip make clever covers that completely hide the original fixture—you just pop them over the existing sconce and suddenly it looks like a whole new light. Another simple fix is adding a clip-on shade directly to the bulb, which instantly changes the shape and style without touching the actual fixture. And if you're feeling handy, you can even craft your own custom cover out of wood or other materials to transform the look. I recently did this for an "ugly sconce hack" on Instagram and it's such a satisfying way to turn something builder-grade into something that feels totally unique and intentional. Bonus: you can take it with you when you move out.
Photo by Lu Loveless // DIY sconce cover
Plug-in sconces
One of the best-kept secrets for renters. Plug-in sconces give you that hardwired, built-in look without touching a single wire. Mount them on either side of your bed, flanking a mirror in the bathroom, or along a hallway to add layers of light where overhead fixtures fall short. The cord situation is real, but if you're strategic about placement and use cord covers or tack the wire along baseboards and door frames, it barely registers.
Photo by Matt Alford Studio // Bungalow sconce
Photo by Matt Alford Studio // Bungalow sconce
Pendant light refresh
If you've got basic pendant lights hanging over your kitchen island or dining table, you're sitting on serious potential. Swap out the shades for something that actually speaks to you—woven rattan for a relaxed, organic vibe, or sculptural glass for something more refined. Most pendants unscrew easily, and you can find replacement shades that fit standard fittings. The base stays put, but suddenly the whole fixture feels intentional.
Photo by Schoolhouse Electric's Swell pendant
Lampshade swaps
This is probably the quickest win in the rental lighting playbook. Those generic drum shades on your table and floor lamps? They're just begging to be replaced. Hunt for vintage linen shades with interesting textures, or go bold with a pop of color and pleats that add dimension to the room. A really great lampshade can completely transform a basic lamp base into something that looks custom and collected.
Photo by Cielle Home // Fabric lampshades
Statement bulbs
Never underestimate the power of a bulb itself. Hand-blown glass bulbs turn even the most basic socket into a design moment. Oversized globe bulbs, tinted glass, or vintage reproduction bulbs all add character without changing a thing about the actual fixture. Sometimes all a boring pendant needs is a bulb with personality.
Photo by Tala Lighting
Dimmer switches and smart bulbs
If you can't install a dimmer switch (or don't want to deal with returning it to the original when you move), smart bulbs are your answer. Control brightness and even color temperature from your phone, which means you can shift the mood of a room without touching the fixture. It's a small change that makes a massive difference in how a space feels at different times of day.
Candle moment
Don't sleep on non-electric lighting. A collection of candles in interesting holders or wall mounted candelabras add warmth and ambiance that no overhead fixture can match. Look for candleholders with sculptural presence—carved wood, interesting metal work, vintage brass—so they add visual interest even when unlit.
Photo by Alana Burns // The Future Perfect
The truth is, most rental lighting is chosen for budget and neutrality, not personality. But with a few strategic swaps and additions, you can completely shift how a space feels without losing your security deposit. Your rental should feel like yours, and lighting is one of the most powerful tools you have to make that happen.
Photo by Anne Gates