Upgrade Your Kitchen Lighting With This Budget-Friendly Decor Feature

Kitchen lighting fixtures obviously illuminate the space, but they can also serve as a visually stunning focal point. Lighting fixtures like chandeliers or pendants elevate a room. When you walk into a kitchen, your eyes likely gravitate toward the room's lighting, so it is important to consider how the fixtures you choose to install impact the overall look and feel of the space. If you have plain or outdated kitchen lighting, it might be time to consider an upgrade. Budget-friendly ceiling medallions will help you make the change without breaking the bank.

Decorative ceiling medallions attach to your ceiling and sit at the base of your kitchen lighting fixtures. Most of these decor pieces are made of urethane or polyurethane and can be customized to fit your preferences. They typically come in a wide range of colors and designs with intricate patterns and prints. However, you can also paint ceiling medallions a color of your choice. The affordable price range of these pieces is perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of adding them to your kitchen lighting. For reference, Home Depot sells ceiling medallions for as low as $7.42.

For those with outdated fixtures, ceiling medallions are one of the simplest ways to bring your kitchen lighting into a new decade on a budget. Let's dive into where to purchase these pieces. Of course, home improvement stores are a great place to explore ceiling medallion options. Home Depot offers quite a few different types, so you will need to decide which one best suits your kitchen before shopping.

Laser-cut wood medallions are among the most affordable options that Home Depot sells. Home improvement supply company Ekena Millwork's wood medallion line offers several different pieces that you can snag from Home Depot online or in-store. This square-shaped Raven Wood Fretwork Pierced Ceiling Medallion is only $7.52. It is also paint grade, meaning you can easily paint or stain in any color you want. This a great option for those looking for something simple and affordable that will still elevate kitchen lighting.

If you prefer a more elaborate design, this Polyurethane Benson Classic Ceiling Moulding might be a good fit. It is more expensive than a wood medallion, but still more affordable than having new decorative lighting fixtures installed altogether. This piece ranges from about $75 to $205 depending on which color you select. You might find the higher price to be justified with this item as it comes in a wide range of colors, so you do not necessarily need to spend money on additional supplies to customize it.

If you took a look at the product photos of ceiling medallions, you may have noticed that the center holes vary in size. You will need to take measurements of your kitchen lighting fixture before shopping for medallions so that you know which options will work for you. Some ceiling medallions do not come with precut center holes. This makes them fully customizable but also adds a bit of extra work. These medallions might be a better fit if your kitchen lighting has unusual measurements. However, keep in mind that you will need a drywall saw to cut this hole. (On a side note, a drywall saw is also a great tool to use when installing wall sconces.)

As for the installation process, adhering a medallion to your kitchen is a relatively simple process that you might prefer to complete yourself to save money. First, turn off the power to the fixture and cover the wire ends with wire nuts. Next, remove your lighting fixture with the help of an electric drill. Cut an appropriately sized hole in your ceiling medallion and sand the inside of the hole until it is smooth. If your medallion has a precut hole, you can skip this step. Paint your medallion if you have chosen to do so, and then apply it to your ceiling with adhesive caulk. Finally, attach your lighting fixture to the finished product.