Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Home Maintenance

21OAK may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

How to light a room with no overhead lighting

By

Do you have a room in your home without overhead lightning? Maybe you’re in a situation where your landlord or rental agency prohibits wiring lighting fixtures, or you lack the ability or desire to rewire an entire room of your house just to put in a light fixture.

Lighting rooms without overhead lighting may involve some creative solutions. Whether you’re looking for a simple lighting solution or a fixture that is both beautiful and functional, here are some suggestions on how to brighten your home without the cost of wiring.

Recommended Videos

Improving overhead lighting

Plug-in ceiling pendants

Plug-in ceiling pendants can provide overhead light even without a permanent ceiling fixture. They come in multiple styles and designs, and many could easily pass as a chandelier that really beautifies your room while providing lighting solutions.

Related

Wall sconces

Wall sconces are another option to add more lighting with no overhead lighting. These are much simpler than installing wiring in your ceiling. If you get a beautiful design or even vintage sconces, they will make great home decor accents too.

String lights

Apartment List suggests that string lights are another way to improve overhead lighting. This is a lighting solution that really adds light and ambience to a room without the need for overhead light fixtures or ceiling wiring. All you need are some hooks or nails to drape the lights over.

A chair and a floor lamp sitting beside a window are illuminated by the sun.
Joshua Newton/Unsplash

Adding light to a room without wiring

Floor lamps

Large floor lamps are an easy and simple way to beautify and light a room. They require no drilling and provide the feel of overhead lighting without the actual ceiling lights.

Table lamps

Table lamps are another, smaller option for lighting dim corners or specific areas of a room. 

Bare bulb lamps

A bare bulb or light-colored shade helps direct light across the room or it may bounce off the ceiling.

Plug-in sconces

Decorate Life suggests plug-in sconces can be easily installed around your home to light a room with no overhead lighting and or wall wiring. They are flexible enough to be mounted at a different height, and they look absolutely fabulous in pairs on either side of a bed or couch.

Mirror against floor lamp

A creative solution is to use a mirror against a floor lamp for lightning. It is one of the most effective lighting solutions for a room without overhead light. By placing a tall floor lamp against a mirror, the light will be reflected around the room.

Whether you’re looking to make up for a lack of lighting, or just thinking about illuminating a dark corner, think about testing some of these solutions in your space. Not only will your living experience be enhanced, but you also may find yourself more drawn to your space.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Deb Goncalves
Deb Goncalves
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Deb's work has appeared on Moms, Babygaga, and WorldAtlas. When she's not working (that's hard to say about a Capricorn), she…
How to paint over wallpaper without making the room look worse
You don't have to remove the wallpaper. Instead, save the hassle and paint over it
Small blue paint can with paint brush set on top.

Outdated or damaged wallpaper can be an eyesore. A fresh coat of paint can revitalize out-of-style rooms, but first, you have to figure out what to do about the wallpaper. Home improvement experts often advise homeowners not to paint over wallpaper — if it isn’t done right or the wallpaper is in bad condition, the results can be disastrous.

Sometimes, though, it's much easier to paint over it than it is to deal with the time-consuming process of removing it. If this is the case for you, be sure to follow a few expert tips to ensure your paint job won't look like an amateur, rushed DIY project.
Why experts recommend removing wallpaper

Read more
How to fix laminate countertops without calling a professional
You may not need to hire the pros to get your counters looking new
Modern kitchen with porcelain countertops

If your laminate countertops are stained, dated, cracked, or damaged, they can be an eyesore. If you want to give your kitchen or bathroom a quick DIY facelift, addressing a drab-looking countertop is a great first step. If you feel your countertop is salvageable with some DIY love, however, here's how to fix laminate countertops without calling a professional.

While some minor damage or basic refinishing can go a long way, there is a certain point where the damage should be addressed by a professional. If your countertop has major cracks or stains and damage covering a large portion of the surface, it may be a good idea to call in some help to repair or replace it entirely.
Removing stains

Read more
How to eliminate that musty ‘basement’ smell
Mold and mildew are big basement problems, but they can be solved
Finished basement with wood paneling

Do you avoid spending time in your basement because of its unpleasant odors? Whether it's finished or not, basements are typically cool, damp, and have little airflow going through them, which are all factors that contribute to its musty smell. Unfortunately, it takes more than general cleaning practices and air fresheners to rid the space of mustiness for good. Take a look at some of these tried-and-true methods for how to get rid of musty smell in basement spaces, so you can keep it smelling light, airy, and fresh.
1. Find the culprit of the musty smell

If you smell that common musty stench, the culprit is often mold or mildew. Since basements tend to be damp and have little airflow, they are common hot spots for mold and mildew growth. The first step in preventing further growth by sealing any leaky spots and inefficient drains.
Leaking windows and doors
Check your basement's exterior doors and windows for signs of moisture. Since leaks on the first floor can often drain into the basement, check the windows and doors on the main floor as well. If you find moisture around these entry points from rain or condensation, re-seal the area or call a professional to repair it.
Leaking pipes
Whether pipes are visible in your basement or not, you need to check them regularly for leaks. Examine any water and sewage pipes for signs of leaks and repair any cracks or poor seals. If plumber's tape or epoxy putty can't repair the leak, it's time to call a professional.
Dried-up drains
Basement floor drains direct water out of the home to keep the floors dry and prevent them from flooding. The stagnant water in this drain also traps bad odors emanating from the sewage system below. However, these drains can dry up from infrequent use, releasing stench into the air. If you notice smells arising near your floor drains, just pour a few cups of water into the drain to block the gases from escaping.
2. Clean up the basement

Read more