Camouflaging a Dated Off-center Bathroom Lighting Fixture

I needed a quick inexpensive way to update a very dated bathroom lighting fixture in a bathroom without replacing it. Adding to the challenge was the fact that the fixture wasn’t centered over the vanity. My solution was to make a cover to hide the existing fixture - it cost less than $15 to make, and I didn’t have to use any power tools! You can watch the video of how I made it and here are the main steps.

Step 1: Before:

Here's what the fixture looked like before - very dated and off-center over the vanity.

Step 2: Make the Wood Structure for the Cover

What I used to make it:

1/4" x 6" poplar boards

3/4" thick square wood dowels

I cut the boards into 3 sections (2 x 4.5" and 1x18") and cut the dowels into 4 pieces (4 x 5.5"). I used wood glue to attach the square dowels to join the side to the front boards and I glued the other 2 dowel pieces to the back of the sides.

Step 3:

Here's what I used as a finish for the wood:

Chalk paint (sheepskin): http://amzn.to/2k8K5O6

Wood tint: http://amzn.to/2k8K5O6

White wax: http://amzn.to/2k8K5O6

I painted the wood with 2 coats of the paint, then brushed on a coat of the stain and then protected the surface with a coat of the white wax.

Step 4: Step 1: Make Light Diffuser

Here's what I used to make it:

Thin linen like fabric

Plexiglass (Acrylic) sheet for diffuser (11”x14” ⅛” thick): http://bit.ly/2krpq8

Mod Podge: http://bit.ly/2krpq8

I placed the fabric on top of the non-glare side of the acrylic panel and soaked it with MOD PODGE making sure the fabric is soaked through. I let it dry and then I trimmed off the excess along the edges with a utility knife. Then I glued it to the structure.

Step 5: Installing the New Cover

I removed the old cover and placed 3M command strips on either side of it to hang the new cover. It is very light so the strips are fine to hold it and this avoids having to make holes in the wall. You could also use brackets to attach it to the wall.

Step 6: Attach the Light Cover

I used the level on my smart phone to help make sure the fixture was hung straight.

Step 7: Center the New Cover

The new cover is centered over the vanity and covers up the existing light fixture completely.

Step 8: After: Enjoy Your New Centered Light Fixture!

When the light is on, there's no telling that the actual light fixture isn't centered! Not bad for $15!

This was only one of the things I did to upgrade this small bathroom and you can watch the rest of the makeover in the video!