The Wall Sconce Soft Lighting Hack That's Perfect For Renters

Lighting in rental homes can be a mixed bag. While some recently built or remodeled apartments and homes feature new state-of-the-art fixtures, others can be decades old. This means not only can they be out of style but also dirty, cracked, and terrible to look at. In some apartments, you may even have a bare bulb in a socket serving as your only light, the glow from which can be way too bright and harsh to be cozy. An easy hack from YouTube DIYer @DecoratingwithManas solves this problem quickly and inexpensively. With only some command strips or sturdy double-sided tape and some decorative paper, you can create adorable light shades to cover up any unsightly lighting in your rental in minutes.

This hack is a great way to add more light to your living room and is very easy to take down when you're ready to move, causing no damage to the wall or paint. This means you won't jeopardize your security deposit while still getting a stylish and customized look that filters the light through the color and pattern of the paper. Any decorative paper or cardstock long enough to wrap around the fixture or bulb will work for this DIY. Since paper can get hot, you will also want to make sure there is 2 to 3 inches of distance between the paper and the bulb to prevent damaging the paper or causing a fire. The sturdier your paper, the more the shade will hold its shape. You can also use LED bulbs or battery-operated bulbs, which produce substantially less heat.

To hide ugly light fixtures in your rental, start by cutting a larger sheet of thick paper into a long rectangular piece 1 to 2 inches wider than the desired width of your shade. Fold over the edges at each end and place a command strip on one of the folded portions. Stick it against the wall and curve the paper slightly–around the light source–before using the fold at the other end for another command strip to secure it to the wall on the opposite side of the bulb.

This basic DIY for an adhesive paper shade can be customized in any way you can imagine. Consider adding lightweight beads, tassels, trim, or fringe to finish the bottom or top edges of the shade for a custom and unique look. For a cool cottage look, use plain paper and draw or paint your design for the light to shine through. For a clear, minimalist look, opt for a frosted vellum, like this 30-pack Vellum Paper Sheets. If you have no wired sconces installed on your walls but want some extra light, add some sticky puck lights or an LED bar on the wall and cover them with a pretty paper shade for cozy, diffused light wherever you need it.