Changing Out a Light Fixture (Bye-Bye Hollywood Strip Light)
Have you had it with those ugly Hollywood light fixtures? The ones where the bulbs are lined up in a straight line staring you in the face? Did you know that you don’t have to live with them? Even if you live in an apartment, you can switch light fixtures out fairly easily. (Be sure to keep the old fixture and all the parts so you can re-install it before you move out.)
Light fixtures range in price from $20 to well over $200. Sometimes you can luck out and find some nice light fixtures on Craig’s List or eBay for less.
I hope you can benefit from this tutorial. I think you’ll agree, it is neither difficult nor challenging changing out a light fixture.
Instructions:
Before beginning the installation you MUST turn off the power to your fixture.
Required Safety Instruction:
Turn off the power to the light fixture you are working on. I highly recommend turning on the light you will be working on, then shut off the circuit at your circuit breaker and check to see that the light has gone out. Also note that just because the light fixture power is turned off, it doesn’t necessarily mean that other outlets or lights in the same room are on the same circuit. Always check for the presence of power before you work on it.
Tools:
(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)
- Light Fixture
- Needle-nosed pliers
- Wire cutters and stripper
- Flat head screwdriver
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Optional: electrical tape
Unpack your new (or slightly used) light fixture. Read through the directions as some steps may vary from this installation tutorial.
Begin by unscrewing the light bulbs and then remove the collars around the light bulb sockets.
Locate any other screws that might be holding the fixture in place. This fixture simply popped off.
Untwist the wire nuts holding the wires together.
Once all the wires are disconnected, unscrew the two screws holding the mounting bracket.
Remove the mounting bracket…
…and now you should be able to remove the light fixture. Laugh at any hidden colors and wallpaper beneath the fixture. (Toile! Ah, not so bad.)
You should be left with just the junction box and three wires protruding from the box. The bare or green wire is your ground wire. The white is your neutral wire and the black is your hot wire.
If you were eagle eyed, you might have noticed a small nick in the insulation of the neutral wire. This could cause a short, so I wrapped some electrical tape around the nick.
Install the new mounting bracket that came with your fixture (if you bought a used one, you may have to use the old mounting bracket from the Hollywood Strip). Attach the screws through the bracket and into the junction box.
The mounting bracket that came with my fixture has a rotating bar that can swing 180 degrees. Position this bar so the fixture will hang level.)
Test fit your fixture and adjust the depth of the mounting screws (the “no head” screws on the mounting bracket) and the angle of the swinging bracket arm. Once the bracket is level and fits snugly with only a small portion of the headless screws poking through; remove the light fixture and tighten the screw in the middle of the mounting bracket to secure the rotating bar.
Wrap the ground wire from the junction box around the green or bare screw on the mounting bracket.
Connect the ground wire from the light fixture to the ground wire from the junction box. Twist them together and secure them with a wire nut.
Twist the black wires from the junction box and the light fixture together.
Twist a wire nut on to secure them.
Repeat the same process to connect the white wires.
Gently fold and tuck the wires back into the junction box. Try to position the white wires on the opposite side as the black wires.
Place your light fixture onto the headless screws and secure the fixture by screwing on the small ball caps.
Remove the shade ring from the light bulb sockets.
Slip the glass shades onto the socket and then screw the collar back on to hold the glass light shades.
Repeat for the remaining light sockets.
Many vanity light fixtures are reversible.
I decided to rehang my fixture facing up for less direct light and to avoid bumping into the mirror frame.
What do you think? Do you like the new look? Do you think you will try it yourself? I hope so, it was easy!
Thank you for this post with the detailed instructions and clear photos. I was able to change out my bathroom light fixture this afternoon 🙂
I can’t thank you enough for posting this tutorial! I have had my new light fixtures for 2 months waiting for my not-so-handy hubby to get started putting them up with my help. Instead, I watched your tutorial and put one up so far by myself! Yes, I’m proud and grateful to you! I encountered some problems due to the builder’s short cuts, so I watched another tutorial on how to install a junction box. It took me a weekend with many stops in between, but my updated bathroom vanity light looks great and it works! Thanks for the confidence boost and yet another skill set to enhance my life.
I got all excited when I saw this tutorial because my fixture has a rotating bar bracket too and I could not figure out how to stabilize it. But, my bracket has a open circle hole in the middle – there’s no screw to tighten. How do I get the bar to not swivel when the light fixture is hanging?
Love your blog and I am in Raleigh too 🙂
Grace–
This is a standard size screw and you can find a replacement in the electrical department at your local big box hardware store.
Do you know where I could purchase just the shade ring or lamp collar ? I have two second hand fixtures that do not have them.
Thanks for the tutorial! I just changed my first two light fixtures myself. YAY!
I need the glass bulb nut. Your picture shows the nut i want. I have search through the evening and cannot buying the nut. Would you tell where I can locate the nut?
Nancy, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer and ask them to send you the nut that holds the glass shades in place.
Great tutorial on changing out bathroom light fixture! Did you DIY frame the mirror too? If so, do you have a tutorial on that?
Carol, sort of. The mirror frame is from MirrorMate. You send them the dimensions and they ship your your frame for assembly and instructions for attaching it to your mirror! Here’s the detailed post: https://prettyhandygirl.com/2011/08/mirrormate-installation-and-giveaway.html
Thanks so much for posting your “How to…” – I am not going to admit that prior to discovering your website I had been considering a crowbar and blow torch! Following instructions was so much easier! What a blessing!
Will, LOL. No blow torch required. Hope you get yours swapped out pronto!