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 $169.99 as pictured, $15 off coupon available. Multiple finishes 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 $102.65, $10 coupon available. Dimmable and available in 3 lighting color temperatures. I’d 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 $99.99, 15% coupon available. Also comes in all gold. This fixture would look great in a farmhouse interior, as advertised, but would work for a number of modern and transitional styles.
- 28-inch Ulla Chandelier. $331.50 This elegant fixture is the exception to the “under $200” rule, and it’s because it’s unusual and really great. The textured off-white color is a nice change from black or gold fixtures, and the swoopy shape adds the perfect amount of drama.
- 12 Light Globe Chandelier $209.99. With 12 bulbs, this fixture will be nice and bright in your modern interior.
- 20-Light LED Chandelier. $188.99. Also available in black. Some reviews have mentioned that this fixture is not particularly bright, but it’s still worth it for this price. Choose it for looks and supplement it with additional light via table or floor lamps if needed.
- 12-Light Farmhouse Chandelier $169.89, 50% coupon available. Also available in gold. There are lots of 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.
- Bella 8-Light Chandelier, $161.35. A good-looking fixture that works well for lower ceilings if you mount it without the down rods.
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 shape glass shades. All three sizes are attractive. The white glass is a good non-glare alternative to exposed bulb fixtures.
- Organic Shape Glass Pendants $64.50, 10% coupon available. The handmade look of these pendants makes them look more expensive than they actually are.
- Ribbed Glass Pendant $69.99. Available in 3 colors and 2 sizes. I’d love to see these hung with all three colors together.
- Minimalist Gold Pendant. $32.36. Would look great hung in a group. Probably don’t give off much light since part of the bulb is covered.
- Hand-Woven Rattan Pendant. $27.71. Great for your boho or coastal interior.
- White Pleated Ceramic Pendant $55.99. A charming vintage look.
- Rattan Pendant with Velvet Trim $84.59 as shown (mini pendant). Available in a larger size pendant or flush mount. A nice modern take on rattan.
- Hammered Metal Pendant, $159.99 for a set of 2. Available in medium or large sizes (large pictured), in black, blue, or brass finish. Also sold singley, but the set of two is a better value.
- 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 $79.99 as shown $20 coupon available. Also available with 2 or 5 lights. Several reviews mention broken globes, so you may want to order extra and return unused or broken extras if you’re on a tight deadline.
- White and Wood Pendant $62.99 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, $136.99, set of 2. Also available in black. Note that these require a specialty LED bulb, be sure to order them when you order these lights.
- Matte Black and Wood Pendant, $59.99. Also available in white or olive green. Simple and interesting shape.
- 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. $52.12 The leather strap detail, along with the metallic bronze interior, makes these little pendants look expensive.
- Wood Handle Colorful Pendant $79.99 as shown. Simple pendant available in 5 interesting, muted colors. Not a lot of reviews for these yet, but they can be returned.
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 $52.99. Also available with a brushed nickel or black base. Install these as wall lights or ceiling lights. A designer favorite.
- Mid-Century Style Flushmount $97.99, 5% coupon available. Also available in black. Perfect for your Mid-Century Modern vacation rental.
- Simple Small Ceiling Light. $60.34, 6% coupon available. Nice replacement for the ubiquitous builder-grade boob light.
- Oak and White Dimmable LED Flushmount $59.99 as shown, 2 sizes available. 10% coupon available. Another simple and good ceiling light upgrade.
- Beaded Mini Chandelier $79.99, 5% coupon available. Perfect for your beachy or boho vacation rental.
- Flower Flushmount $99.95.Chrome base also available. A pretty and unique fixture.
- 3-Light Woven Rattan Flushmount $49.99, 15% coupon available. Perfect for your coastal or boho-style room.
- Vintage Style Globe Light $47.48. Elegant mid-century style.
- Fabric Flower Flushmount $59.99, 5% coupon available. Whimsical and affordable 3-light fixture.
- Linen Drum Light $84.95. A simple solution. A nice option for upgrading a ceiling light without drawing too much attention to it.
- Two Layer Drum Light $37.69, 25% coupon available. At this price, it’s a no-brainer.
- Pleated Drum Light $79.99, 10% coupon available. 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 $82.99 as shown, $5 coupon available. Available in two sizes and in white. A good-looking fixture with an integrated LED light (no bulbs.) Choose between three color temperatures of light.
- Cane Look Drum Fixture $105.99 as shown. Available in medium or large sizes. A clean design with the added interest of a woven cane-look cover available in several colors and weave styles.
- Four Light Modern Flushmount $75.99, 5% coupon available. A modern fixture with bold styling. Reviews note that the wood is darker in person than in the photos.
- Perforated Metal Dome Light $39.99, 10% coupon available. Available in gray-green (pictured), antique bronze, or white. This funky little fixture perfectly adds personality and texture to a hallway or other small room.
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.
