Adding or updating ceiling lights, like chandeliers, pendants, and flush-mount lights, can add instant style to your vacation rental. Best of all, the fixtures can be more affordable than you might think. I’ve found some excellent options with easy delivery from Amazon. Read on for my picks.
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Add Wow Factor to Your Vacation Rental by Updating Your Lighting Fixtures
Important things to note when shopping for inexpensive lighting (or any lighting, really.)
- Some assembly may be required. Read the reviews to ensure putting the thing together won’t be too onerous.
- Check the specs carefully. For some reason, most manufacturers make the fixtures look bigger in their photoshopped scenes. Make sure you’re getting the size light you’re expecting.
- Order bulbs with the fixture. Many require certain-size LED bulbs to fit in under a dome or cover. These can be hard to find at the hardware store, so order them at the same time as the light.
- The bulbs most manufacturers include are usually crap. Plan on swapping them with better ones for the best results.
- Avoid weird-sized bulbs if they’re not LED. In general, I recommend avoiding unusual bulbs because it’s a pain to keep backups of a bunch of different bulbs. EXCEPT if they’re LED, because LEDs are supposed to last 10 years or so. However, they fail occasionally, so one or two backups are still a good idea.
- Check your order right away. Most items have a return window of 30 days.
Chic Modern Chandeliers for Your Airbnb
Multi-light fixtures add instant drama to vacation rental interiors, especially when hung over a dining table, in a living room, or in a high-ceilinged bedroom. I’ve found some excellent modern chandeliers that look expensive.
For guidance about the correct lighting fixture size and height over a dining table, check out my Dining Room 101 post here.
- 6-Light Globe Linear Chandelier $184.99 as pictured. Multiple metal finishes and glass globes are available. Linear fixtures, like this one, are a great choice for over a rectangular dining table or as a replacement for multiple pendant lights.
- Modern Ring LED Chandelier $109.99. It is dimmable and available in 3 lighting color temperatures. I recommend 3000K, the warmest choice.
- 4-Light Linear Chandelier. $129.99. Multiple finishes are available. This linear fixture is a great choice for casual, modern, and traditional interiors.
- 6-Light Simple Chandelier $69.99. It is also available in all black. As advertised, this fixture would look great in a farmhouse interior but would also work for a number of modern and transitional styles.
- Fold White Linen Chandelier, $129.99. Also available in a smaller 4-light version. Interesting and expensive looking.
- Milk Glass Globe Chandelier, $195. Multiple metal finishes and glass globes available. Modern and cool. Be sure to order bulbs at the same time.
- 24 Light Chandelier $349.99. Also available in black. At 40″ round, this chandelier makes a big statement, and it would look great in a room with high ceilings. Note that one reviewer found it difficult to assemble.
- 12-Light Farmhouse Chandelier $169.89, 50% coupon available. Also available in gold. There are many versions of this light out there; this one gets good reviews, and you can’t beat the price if you use the 50% off coupon.
- Modern LED Chandelier $168.99. Also available in black and in a smaller size. A striking fixture that uses a remote control for dimming and color adjustment. I’d recommend setting it to 3000k, the warmest setting.
Updated Pendant Lights for Your Vacation Rental
Replacing pendant lights is one of the quickest ways to update your interior design, especially if installing them at a focal point such as above a kitchen island. They are often the jewelry of your interior design; use them wisely.
- Ribbed White Glass Pendant, $79.99, as shown. Available in small, medium, and large (medium pictured), with different-shaped glass shades. All three sizes are attractive. The white glass is a good non-glare alternative to exposed bulb fixtures.
- Smoke Glass Pendant $77.77. Available in multiple configurations in smoke or clear glass, these pendants look more expensive than they actually are due to their handmade look.
- Ribbed Glass Pendant $79.99 as shown. Available in 3 colors and 2 sizes. I’d love to see these hung with all three colors together.
- Minimalist Gold Pendant. $36.28. It would look great hung in a group. They probably don’t give off much light since part of the bulb is covered.
- Rattan Pendant. $82.96. Available in four sizes and great for your boho or coastal interior.
- White Pleated Ceramic Pendant $45.99. A charming vintage look.
- Rattan Pendant with Velvet Trim $95.06 as shown (mini pendant). Available in a larger size pendant or flush mount. A nice modern take on rattan.
- Copper Dome Light $84.40 as shown. Available in three sizes. Note that the copper is a faux finish.
- Dome Pendant with Gold Leaf Interior. $49.99, available in white or black. The gold leaf interior of this fixture will create a nice glow when lit.
- Milk Glass Globe Modern Pendant $63.99 as shown. Also available with two lights. Elegant and minimalist, perfect for your mid-century or organic modern decor.
- White and Wood Pendant $52.99 as shown, also available in black. Simple Scandinavian-inspired design that works with expensive-looking details like wood trim and a fabric-covered cord.
- Globe Pendant Light, $69.99. Multiple variations available. Note that these require a specialty LED bulb; be sure to order them when you order these lights.
- Neutral Beige and Wood Pendant, $65.99 as shown. Also available in white, olive green and black. A chic Scandi modern look that’s available in some interesting colors.
- Colorful Retro Style Pendant $80.23. Available in 7 cheery colors and two sizes. No reviews on these yet, but they can be returned, so they’re worth a shot.
- Mini Pendant with Leather Strap. $41.60 The leather strap detail and metallic bronze interior make these little pendants look expensive.
- Wood Handle Colorful Pendant $136.18, as shown. This simple pendant is available in 7 interesting, muted colors.
Don’t Forget to Update the Flush Mount Ceiling Lights at Your Vacation Rental
It’s easy to overlook the more humble ceiling lights in your vacation rental, but they can benefit from an upgrade, too. Be sure to check the number of bulbs required to make sure you’re purchasing a fixture that will be bright enough.
- Simple Globe Light $55.99. Also available with a brushed nickel, chrome or black base. Install these as wall lights or ceiling lights. A designer favorite.
- Mid-Century Style Flushmount $95.99. Also available in black in either a 13-inch or 15-inch diameter. Perfect for your Mid-Century Modern vacation rental.
- Simple Small Ceiling Light. $69.99. Nice replacement for the ubiquitous builder-grade boob light.
- Oak and White Dimmable LED Flushmount $59.99 as shown, 2 sizes available. Also available in black. Another simple and good ceiling light upgrade.
- Beaded Mini Chandelier $66.49. Perfect for your beachy or boho vacation rental.
- Drum Fixture with Black Border $99.99. Also available in a smaller size. A subtle and elegant look.
- Woven Rattan Flushmount $49.99. Also available in black or white. Perfect for your coastal or boho-style room.
- Vintage Style Globe Light $49.99. Elegant mid-century style.
- Fabric Flower Flushmount $59.99. Whimsical and affordable 3-light fixture.
- Linen Drum Light $49.99. Also available in a larger size. A nice option for upgrading a ceiling light without drawing too much attention to it.
- Two-Layer Drum Light $51.99. Available in white or beige fabric in three sizes. Luxurious-looking transitional fixture.
- Pleated Drum Light $84.99. Be sure to look at the detail photos of this light. The tiny pleats on the shade add something special.
- Black and Gold LED Flushmount $73.09 as shown. Available in black, white or gold in multiple sizes. A good-looking fixture with an integrated LED light (no bulbs). Choose between five color temperatures of light.
- Cane Look Drum Fixture $108.79 as shown. Available in medium or large sizes in multiple variations. A clean design with the added interest of a woven cane-look cover available in several colors and weave styles.
- Four Light Modern Flushmount $69.99. A modern fixture with bold styling. I liked it so much I bought two for my entry.
- Gold LED Flushmount $46.99 as shown. Available in multiple variations. Dimmable, no bulbs required.
Okay, no excuses, it’s time to update that lighting and now you know that there a lot of good options out there. Let me know what you think in the comments.
