Which eyesores? The obvious ones in our hallway. After installing board and batten, we didn’t want an uninspired light fixture, a yellowed ceiling vent, or a gaudy doorbell stealing the show. These smaller updates were part of last week’s board and batten reveal, and while we continue adding crown molding to the playroom, guest room, and hallway, these finishing touches made a big difference.
Swapping out a light, replacing a doorbell, and refreshing a ceiling vent sound minor, but they were distracting from the new trim. Tackling those details alongside the larger project helped the whole space read as intentional and finished. As they say, the devil really is in the details — and now the hallway matches the effort we put into the board and batten.
First up: the light fixture. The previous fixture was a hand-me-down from our laundry room because the original hallway light was just too busy for the new look. The borrowed fixture wasn’t terrible, but it wasn’t quite right either. We debated spray-painting the base or adding a painted stripe to the glass, but then we found a discounted fixture at our favorite lighting outlet that felt like a perfect fit. It echoed the industrial, outdoor-style fixtures we used in the guest and hall bathrooms and at the clearance price it was an easy call.
With the power off, I swapped the fixtures. A quick, straightforward change and suddenly the ceiling looked much more cohesive. (Apologies for the incandescent bulb in some photos — it was the only one on hand at the time.)
Next on the list was the doorbell — an eye-catching, overly retro piece that felt like it belonged in a 1970s sitcom. It worked fine, but it clashed with the refreshed hallway. Since our previous home didn’t have a doorbell at all, a wired doorbell was a new experience for us. We went shopping for a wired replacement that was understated and inexpensive, and our daughter loved testing the different chimes at the store (apologies to the other customers who had to listen to our repeated demos).
We chose a $20 wired button that’s simple and unobtrusive. With the power off, I removed the old bell cover expecting a complicated mess, but the wiring was straightforward and matched the new unit’s connectors. Using a simple “put it back where it came from” approach — matching each wire to the same terminal — the swap went smoothly.
The new doorbell was slightly smaller than the old one, leaving a bit of exposed wall where the previous plate had been. Since we were painting as part of the board and batten project, we didn’t worry about that for a few days. Once the wires were reconnected and the new cover installed, the area looked clean and updated — a small change with an outsized impact on the overall feel.
After those swaps, the vent above the hall felt even more obvious: a yellowed ceiling grate that clashed with the refreshed surroundings. My partner quickly climbed a stepladder and gave it a few thin coats of leftover ceiling paint. The thin layers preserved the fan’s functionality while greatly improving the appearance.
Much better.
The doorbell still works, and our backup “alarm” — a dog named Burger — still announces every visitor with equal enthusiasm.
As a side note, in our current home we went wireless and installed a Ring video doorbell. That setup was straightforward and added features we liked, but for this house the wired, simple replacement was the right choice.
Small updates often trigger a chain reaction — one improvement highlights other areas that need attention. Tackle the little eyesores along with major projects to make the whole space feel cohesive and thoughtfully finished.