Asked on Nov 13, 2015

What Can I Do With the Lighting on This Recessed Medicine Cabinet?

CS
by CS
Ok. So we have this smaller third bathroom/laundry room off of the basement family room in our home. I want to do some updates with paint and possibly add some cabinets about the washer and dryer (used cabinets recycled). But due to other recent upgrades to the exterior of the house, our inside update budget is slim. Can anyone suggest how I can make this medicine cabinet light fixture more appealing? Replacement isn't an option right now.
Here is a picture of the medicine cabinet and light fixture in our smaller laundry/3rd bathroom. We recently had to have some work done to the exterior of the house, so now I need to pinch pennies on updates on the inside. I know I really can't afford to change out the mirror and light at this time, but it's ugly and I want to make it look more attractive. Any suggestions?
This is a picture of the lens that cover the light. Ick! The bad part is that I can't get replacement parts anymore (or at least I believe so---it's a Miami Carey).
  19 answers
  • Tonia Tonia on Nov 13, 2015
    You could build a wooden frame work to slide over the existing fixture. Line it with what ever opaque material that you like.
    • CS CS on Nov 13, 2015
      @Tonia Yes, I was thinking something along this line. I have seen light cover kits, but then fit over the track lighting style brackets. I want to preserve the quality of light, but also make it more attractive. I am just having a rough time trying to figure out how to make a stable and attractive cover.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Nov 13, 2015
    Sometimes you can get a light fixture (even a brand new one) very cheap at Habitat Restores...It may even be less than trying to repair your current one. I bought a really nice modern track light for $ 2.99 at a surplus store a few years back, and we still have it in one of the bedrooms. I have bought clearance sconces for under $10 at Lowes last year.
  • CS CS on Nov 13, 2015
    I'm looking to create something similar to this. Any recommendations on how to make the frame that the fabric would cover? https://www.etsy.com/shop/VanityShadesofVegas/about?ref=l2-more-about
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    • CS CS on Nov 14, 2015
      I still love the idea and thanks for elaborating more. You all have helped my idea become more real.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 13, 2015
    vanityshadesofvegas.com/ has some clever ideas.
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    • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Nov 13, 2015
      @CS Im glad that helped you. Good Luck with your project and please keep posted of the outcome.
  • B. Enne B. Enne on Nov 13, 2015
    You could use U-shaped bent wire, OR even easier, you could also drill holes in the metal brackets near the front if you're not planning on reusing them and just insert the wires from left to right (top and bottom) in the holes and twist. Then you could put the fabric over the brackets and wire. Red = 2 wires, green = fabric wrapped around.
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    • B. Enne B. Enne on Nov 13, 2015
      @CS That is a good idea! You could just starch it too. The wire would be cheaper...you could glue the fabric around the wire or stitch around it. I'm only saying that because plexi glass is expensive to buy and cut here. :)
  • Fab and Pretty Fab and Pretty on Nov 13, 2015
    I like the idea by @B. Enne and would add make it a 3 sided bent wire 'shade', paint out the body of the case in maybe black or fire engine red ( the London look!), then put in some type of a decorator bulb.
    • CS CS on Nov 13, 2015
      @Fab and Pretty Never thought of painting the cabinet. Hmmm....
  • CS CS on Nov 13, 2015
    Luckily my partner might have some left over from a project with his fish tank. I might have enough to work with. He's also able to cut it for me. :)
  • If your budget is small for an update, please check your local home store (Lowe's is a great place to find the very cheap bathroom lights) For less than $10 you could replace the light fixture. If you do not like the finish on these fixtures, then buy a can of Rustoleum hammered spray paint and paint it. You could easily change this light.
    • CS CS on Nov 13, 2015
      Not really. The cabinet is recessed and don't want to go through the hassle of drywall work.
  • Carole Bisby Carole Bisby on Nov 14, 2015
    How about getting a piece of fabric (fire resistant) and put it around it like a little curtain? You could use Velcro to stick it to it. Just an idea and something with color.
  • Charles Prock Charles Prock on Nov 14, 2015
    For the price of a little trim wood, you could frame the med cab and let the top project out like a valence and then put light diffuser top and bottom and have up and down lights...Probably won't cost more than $30...Could stain it if you used real wood.
  • LD LD on Nov 14, 2015
    You can use some decorative door molding to create a wooden frame around the medicine cabinet, paint the medicine cabinet to mat the wooden frame, etch a design on the mirror, get two cuts of glass to replace the plastic shade, and etch a design on it.
  • 9530106 9530106 on Nov 15, 2015
    Everyone has great ideas! Of course there is always the rustic look. Make a wooden valance from some pallet wood or scraps. It would be super cheap, and could be installed easily with 2 "L" brackets.
  • Rc Shoe Rc Shoe on Nov 16, 2015
    I would try an acrylic sheet with some pretty window film on it for a stained glass effect. You can buy a new acrylic sheet or maybe find one in an old picture frame. Check out the drop ceiling light panels (cracked ice) at you local home improvement store.
    • CS CS on Nov 16, 2015
      @Rc Shoe Yes, my partner just replaced the tops of his aquariums and he had some scrap plexiglass left over. I was thinking about using that. I have a silhouette. So I could come up with a creative geometric design or something and print it on clear contact paper or white vinyl I have and affix it to the plexi or the ceiling light panel like you suggested. Hmmm...I really like your suggestion and what it created in my mind. I am going to have to do some further investigation.
  • Retta Robinson Retta Robinson on Nov 17, 2015
    If you can take down the wood parts, treat it as 'industrial chic' using those vintage looking bulbs (Edison bulbs?) which have orange filiments when turned on. They come in various shapes. Could even paint the fixture that holds the bulbs bright red or black or other garish color.
  • Emi Harr Emi Harr on Nov 18, 2015
    Frosted plexiglass would be an inexpensive solution. Since you already have the plexiglass, just "frost" it with a tiny bit of white paint mixed in with white schoo glue. Paint it on with a brush, or sponge it on, it will look like frosted glass.
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    • CS CS on Nov 18, 2015
      Thanks.
  • CS CS on Nov 18, 2015
    What about its heat resistance...from the bulbs?
  • Emi Harr Emi Harr on Nov 18, 2015
    As long as you don't close off the top, so the heat can escape, I think it should be ok. Plexiglass is fairly heat resistant, and it doesn't seem that the bulbs will be too close to the actual plexiglass. If those bulbs are spotlights, they may burn too hot, but a regular light bulb should be ok if the top is open for the heat to escape. Maybe even change to those low heat florescent bulbs... lots of ceiling florescent bulbs have plastic rippled covers and they seem to work ok. As for the paint and glue, they are fine with the heat.
  • Tricia Tricia on Jan 17, 2016
    They sell some really pretty adhesive films that have designs, frosted or stain glass looks at home improvement stores that you could apply to the plexiglass and the floressent lighting is best because it releases the least heat. This would let pick out almost any look you wanted for your room.
  • Snapoutofit Snapoutofit on Oct 18, 2016
    Your bathroom looks modern and lovely. For twenty bucks you can purchase a light fixture like this (pic) that would look great.