4 Ways to Update Your Lighting Without an Electrician

Thinking about changing up the lighting in your home, but unsure whether your DIY skills include electrical wiring? The answer is simple: Just change the lighting, not the wiring. There are plenty of ideas for lighting without wiring that can change the look and feel of your living space with ease.

Light bulbs and Lampshades

Start with something simple, like changing out your light bulbs or even your lampshades. Colored bulbs come in lots of colors, including red, yellow, green, blue, pink, orange and amber. And, of course, you’ll find an even larger selection of colored lampshades at any home decor store.

Interested in taking it a step further? Consider purchasing a color-changing LED bulb. With a Bluetooth-compatible smartphone, you can control the bulb’s brightness level, activate unique effects and even change the color of light whenever the mood strikes you. Small changes such as these can have a big impact on the feel of your home.

Related: The AHS Top 10: Best “Smart Home” Voice-Control Devices

Plug-in pendant lights

To install a ceiling light without wiring, look for plug-in pendant lights. These are single lights that hang by a cord from the ceiling and plug into a nearby outlet. Plug-in pendants are the perfect solution for aging fixtures — they give you the look and feel of modern lighting without requiring a single cut into drywall. Plus, they also boost task lighting and are easy to scale to the spot where they'll hang. 

Plug-in wall sconces

Plug-in sconces are very easy to install — if you can hang a picture, you can install a plug-in sconce. Wall-mounted lighting can add symmetry as well as decorative interest to any room in your home. Disguise the cord that hangs down inside a thin metal tube running from the lamp to the outlet to give this light a more permanent look.

Wireless LED motion sensor lights

 A wireless motion sensor light is one of those minor conveniences that becomes a life-changing upgrade once installed. Not only are they inexpensive and easy to install, but battery-powered lights are also great for dark areas like coat closets, pantries, attics and storage closets. Use them to light up driveways, backyards, stairs, decks, hallways — even your path to the bathroom at night.

The only drawback to motion sensor LEDs is that they run on batteries and aren’t very bright. You’re always better off buying a top-quality battery-powered light. The Mr. Beams motion sensor light shines 100 lumens to help you find what you’re looking for. It does require four C batteries, but its energy drain is minimal because of the LED bulb. As an added bonus, it comes in very handy during a power outage.

Related: All Lit Up: Kitchen Lighting and Design Guide

So don't fret if electrical wiring isn't in your DIY tool kit. You can enhance the lighting in your home quickly and easily with these smart solutions.

Related: How to Change a Light Socket 

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