Hall Bathroom Light Fixture Upgrade: A Simple, Affordable Refresh

We don’t often write about our hall bathroom. In the 17 months we’ve lived here it’s only been mentioned twice: once when we removed a towel bar and once when we fixed the toilet. We almost used the same paint color here as in our guest bedroom, so we set that idea aside and kept the room on the back burner. Recently, though, we made a small but satisfying lighting update that gives the bathroom more character.

The original fixture was perfectly functional but felt very builder-basic—a long strip of bulbs that read like a backstage makeup mirror. The long vanity, long mirror, and long fixture made everything feel overly horizontal, so we wanted something with more height and a less delicate, more substantial presence.

We checked home improvement stores a few times over the last year and a half without finding anything that excited us. Then about a month ago Sherry found a dark bronze, industrial-style fixture on sale. The finish and outdoor-industrial vibe appealed to us; it echoed other fixtures we’ve used around the house, and the discounted price—$60, down from $100—made it an easy decision.

After the fixture sat on the counter for a few weeks, we finally installed it. Because of the mirror placement I ended up photographing the process a lot, and with the tub in the way I even became a makeshift tripod. The first step was to turn off power to the house—our fuse box isn’t clearly labeled—then remove the glass shades and bulbs and unscrew the old fixture from the wall.

Behind the old fixture was a large metal mounting plate and a lot of accumulated dust and grime. When I removed the plate the wall revealed unpainted patches, rust spots and a few paint drips left by the previous installation.

We checked for lead paint with a test stick and were relieved to get a negative result, so I smoothed the uneven areas with a palm sander to give our future paint job a better surface. We haven’t settled on a color yet, so repainting is still on the to-do list.

Out of the box the new fixture looked clean and sturdy. I installed the mounting bar, although the included screws didn’t fit our junction box so we made a quick run to the hardware store for proper fasteners. Then I connected the wires and secured the fixture to the wall.

With the metal shades and bulbs back in place, the new light was ready. The two 100-watt bulbs provide more than enough illumination for this small bathroom, and the darker finish coordinates nicely with a strip of dark accent tile in the room. The fixture’s matte, slightly distressed finish gives it an older, industrial feel that fits the house’s character.

We like how the new fixture fills the space above the mirror better than the old, flatter strip. The added height balances the tall shower curtain on the other side of the room and makes the mirror area read more intentionally. The quality feels solid and more expensive than the price tag suggests—the finish isn’t flimsy, and the small distressed details make it feel less mass-produced and more like a thoughtfully chosen piece.

We dropped the old light at the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore, so the swap was complete. The lighting update is a small change, but it moves the hall bathroom toward the look we want. Next steps include framing out the mirror, choosing wall and vanity paint colors, swapping vanity hardware, and adding window treatments and art. We’ll share progress when we have more to show.

What lighting, art, or mirror solutions have you used in small bathrooms? Any favorite paint colors or fixture styles to recommend? We were a bit nervous ordering a light we hadn’t seen in person, but taking a chance paid off this time.