When builder-grade lighting just isn’t cutting it, know that you can change a bathroom light fixture all on your own. In this guide, you’ll learn what tools you need, how to safely work with wiring, how to take down and install fixtures, and more.
Switching out your bathroom lighting is a quick way to elevate the vibes in your space — whether you opt for over-the-mirror track lighting or mirror-flanking wall sconces.
How long does it take?
This is a perfect project for weekend warriors, as it’ll typically take about two hours to complete. This accounts for the time it takes to remove the original fixture and mounting bracket and install the new ones.
Note: If you need to spackle, sand, and paint your wall to cover up any damage or discoloration left behind by the old mounting bracket, it will take a little bit longer — between a total of 4 to 26 hours. This is because with regular spackle, you’ll need to wait 24 hours before sanding and painting, and with fast-drying spackle, you’ll just need to wait one to two hours.
| Project difficulty: Intermediate Estimated time to complete: 1 to 2 hours Project cost: $100 to $500, depending on the type of light fixture you choose and the tools you need to rent or buy. |
Step 1: Assemble Your Tools
Before you get started on this DIY project, be sure to have everything you need at the ready:
- New fixture and light bulbs
- Drill
- Needle-nose pliers
- Phillips head screwdriver
- Flat head screwdriver
- Level
- Wire cutters/stripper
- Measuring tape
- Voltage tester
- Wire connector caps
- Step stool or ladder
- Spackle (optional)
- Sandpaper (optional)
- Paint (optional)
- Putty knife (optional)
Step 2: Choose a Location
Do you want to stick with the typical above-the-mirror placement or try something new with side sconces?
Regardless, the new fixture(s) may have some differences in size from the old one — slightly longer, wider, shorter, or come in multiple pieces (i.e., not just one strip). Before hitting “buy now” on any new lighting, measure your old fixture, as well as your mirror, to ensure the new lights will correctly fit whatever space you choose.
Step 3: Turn Off the Power
Locate the breaker that feeds your bathroom lighting, and flip it to the off position; you’ll be working with wiring and will not want to chance any accidental shocks.
Since I’m super wary of working with electricity, I’d personally go a step further and shut down the power to the entire bathroom, just in case. If you do this, either work during the day with natural light from your bathroom window; or, if there is no window, turn on the hall light, so you can see what you’re doing.
Another way to confirm there’s zero electricity flowing through the wiring is to touch the tip of your voltage tester to the end of each wire. If any electricity is detected, the tester will alert you with a red light and sounds.
Step 4: Take Down the Current Fixture and Mounting Bracket
First, remove all the light bulbs. Then, unscrew the fixture from the mounting bracket. You may also need to use a putty knife to break up any caulk holding the fixture to the wall.
Once that’s done, remove the wire caps that are connecting the wiring in the wall to the wiring on the old light fixture itself. Next, unscrew the old mounting bracket from the wall.
Note: Depending on the type of mounting bracket you originally had, there may be some damage or discoloration left behind on the wall. If your new bracket and fixture won’t cover it, consider using the spackle, sandpaper, and paint to repair it before continuing with step 5.
Step 5: Install the New Mounting Bracket
If you ordered a vanity lighting set, the new mounting bracket will most likely be attached to the new light fixture straight out of the box. Unscrew it from the fixture because you’ll put the bracket on the wall first. (If ordering à la carte, you won’t have to worry about that extra step.)
Mounting brackets can be circular, rectangular, or square, but each are attached in the same way — by screwing them into the wall and/or junction box, so the wires are hanging from the middle of the bracket’s center hole.
Step 6: Reconnect the Wiring
Right now, you should see three wires hanging out of your wall: one black, one white, and one copper (the grounding wire). Here’s how to connect them:
- Wrap the exposed copper wire around the grounding screw (it should be green) on your mounting bracket.
- Holding the fixture up to the wall (or having someone help you do so, if it’s heavy), match the black and white wires from the back of the new fixture to the corresponding colored wires in your wall.
- Twist the ends of the matching wires together, securing each pair with a wire cap. (If the wires aren’t exposed for some reason, use a wire cutter or stripper to expose them.)
- Gently tuck the reconnected wires into the junction box through the center hole of the mounting bracket.
Note: Refer to your light fixture and bracket’s installation instructions per this part, too, just in case there are any slight differences.
7. Attach the New Light Fixture
Hold your new fixture over the mounting bracket, and screw it into the bracket. Lastly, install the appropriate light bulbs into the light sockets, along with any light shades your design may include.
8. Turn the Power Back On
Head back to your breaker box and flip the switch that sends power to your bathroom lighting to the on position. Then, turn the actual light switch on in your bathroom to make sure your new lights work.
Learn More About Bathroom Lighting
You don’t have to stay stuck with a 30-year-old, builder-grade bathroom light fixture. Changing it on your own is as easy as following the steps laid out above.
- 10 Bathroom Lighting Ideas for Over the Mirror
- 11 Bathroom Chandelier Ideas
- 12 Bathroom Ceiling Light Ideas
- 10 Inspiring Shower Lighting Ideas
Note: Home Gnome may get a referral fee for matching you with pros in your area.
Main Image Credit: Andrii / Adobe Stock / License
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