Chandelier Makeover: Indigo Drum Shade DIY for the Office

We gave our office chandelier a fresh, modern look—without buying a whole new fixture. The plan was simple: tweak the silhouette, add a large white drum shade, and spray the brass base an unexpected indigo blue. The result is a cleaner, updated fixture that fits the room’s scale and keeps me from bonking my head every time I walk by.

For context, the fixture began life as a formal dining-room chandelier, which looked a little out of place in our office. The fixture also hung a touch low, which led to more than a few collisions. This makeover aimed to preserve the character of the original piece while making it more functional and contemporary.

The old configuration was beautiful but impractical for everyday office use—especially for anyone tall enough to bump their head on it. We wanted something large enough to suit the scale of our giant desk, yet simple and airy so it wouldn’t compete with a future dining-room chandelier.

Instead of replacing the fixture, we decided to update what we already had. We’ve spray painted brass fixtures before, so this time we wanted a more dramatic change—altering its silhouette and adding a jumbo drum shade for a softer, more modern profile.

We found a large 24″ drum shade at our usual decorating outlet. It fit the scale we needed and was a great price after a small negotiation due to a few minor dents. The dents are barely noticeable once the shade is installed, so the discount felt like a win.

We removed the decorative ball at the bottom of the chandelier—it would have stuck out awkwardly from the drum shade. Fortunately the finial simply unscrewed, along with the extension rod that held the ball, leaving a neat shorter profile.

Attaching the drum shade required some improvisation. The shade’s hardware didn’t line up perfectly with the chandelier’s shape: mounting it from the bottom made the shade’s crossbars too prominent, while the top attachment was too narrow to slip over the chandelier’s fluted center.

We removed the notched metal ring that came with the shade. One half came off easily, the other needed more force. Rather than risk deforming the shade, we used a hacksaw to carefully remove the stubborn pieces, then smoothed the edges and prepped the shade for a custom mount.

To secure the shade to the chandelier, we repurposed a few office-supply binder rings. By wiring two rings together, we created a small “sandwich” that clamped the shade’s remaining rods and fit over the chandelier’s fluted center. Thin craft wire did the job—neat enough to be hidden once installed and sturdy enough to hold the shade in place.

We also shortened the chain so the fixture would hang higher and stop being a hazard. After deciding the desired height by eye, we removed extra links with pliers and trimmed the wiring to match. Reinstalling the fixture simply meant wiring it back in the same way it came down—always with the power shut off for safety.

For color, we chose a satin indigo spray paint to create a rich, updated finish. After priming, we sprayed the chandelier while it hung in the basement, protected by a drop cloth and a mask. We also stuffed paper towels into the sockets to keep paint away from the bulb receptacles.

The indigo finish reads as a deep, classic blue in person—subtle from a distance but rich up close. It ties in nicely with darker built-in elements elsewhere in the house while keeping the overall look updated.

From above, the binder rings that secure the shade are hidden by the chandelier’s central flute, so the mounting system is nearly invisible from below. The shade sits neatly and keeps the chandelier’s curves visible without exposing the shade’s crossbars.

The new height is much more practical: the bottom of the chandelier now sits 78″ from the floor, allowing comfortable clearance beneath it. The large drum shade softens and diffuses the light, eliminating harsh shadows and spreading a warm glow throughout the room.

The fixture looks equally good with the light off or on. When illuminated, the shade diffuses the glow evenly, and the ceiling shows a pleasant kaleidoscope effect from the chandelier’s inner structure.

We also swapped the traditional flame-shaped bulbs for globe-style bulbs for a cleaner, more contemporary look. Globe bulbs complement the drum shade’s shape and contribute to more even lighting. We chose incandescent globes this time; LED round chandelier bulbs are becoming more common and are worth watching for the future.

Bottom line: we love the update. It cost a fraction of a new fixture and feels tailored to the room’s needs and scale. Even Clara noticed right after her nap—she pointed up and said “oooooh, light.”

Cost breakdown:

• Chandelier: $0 (already owned; similar fixtures can be found at thrift stores or yard sales)
• 24″ Drum Shade: $39
• Binder rings & craft wire: $0 (already on hand)
• Tinted spray primer: $0 (already owned)
• Indigo spray paint: $3
• Globe light bulbs: $9
• Total: $51

Updating an existing fixture can be an economical way to get a custom, high-impact look. If you’ve refreshed a chandelier or light fixture, consider sharing your approach—nontraditional colors and simple hardware tweaks can make an old piece feel brand new.