All of the recessed lighting in our home originally had gold or yellow trim. It really dated the house and was such on eyesore against our newly painted white ceilings. I could have bought replacement trim but with over 50 recessed lights in our house, that would cost hundreds of dollars. So I decided to try spray painting them instead and it was SO easy!
Today I’m sharing the step-by-step of how to get it done so you can give your recessed lighting a glow-up too! (post includes commissionable links; for more information, see my disclosure statement {here})
This is what our recessed light trim looked like originally:
The first step in this simple DIY is to take out the lightbulb from your recessed fixture. Then, remove the trim from the light’s housing (the part that holds the fixture inside the ceiling). I recommend flipping the breaker to the lights you’re working on to avoid any risk of electrocution while doing this. In most cases, the trim is hooked onto the housing with three little springs at the top of the trim. You simply unhook them from the housing and it should come right down.
After removing the trim, lightly sand each piece with {this 220 grit sandpaper} (wear a mask to prevent inhaling the dust). This is done to scuff up the surface and help the paint to adhere. Then, clean the sanding dust and any grime off with a damp cloth. If your trim is visibly dirty, a good scrub with soapy warm water might be needed.
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Once dry, place each trim piece on cardboard or a tarp outside on a day when there’s little to no wind. Then, using {this high heat spray paint}, spray your trim so it gets a thin, even coat. A spray can trigger like {this one} is really helpful for getting an even, consistent spray job. Wear protective gear on your eyes over your nose and mouth per the recommendations noted on the spray paint to prevent inhaling the spray paint or getting it in your eyes.
Once the paint is dry (read the spray paint can for recommended drying times), repeat with a second coat. That’s it! The difference between the old lighting trim and the newly painted trim is pretty huge:
I ended up painting all eight of the recessed lights in our family room plus the ceiling fan with just a single bottle of spray paint – not bad for only about $5!
Family Room Sources: Blue & white rug | Round coffee table | Round rattan mirror
If you want to see more spray painting projects, check out my makeover using curtains instead of closet doors where I spray painted the metal hardware as part of the makeover. Or check out my posts on how to spray paint a brass fireplace or how to paint a ceiling fan.
I’ll see you back on the blog soon!
Cathy Oaten says
Whoa – I keep looking at my fan, which is the same as yours, thinking I need to paint this baby and get rid of the brass accents. Now I will, thanks for posting!!
Oven Fresh Cake says
Significant piece of work, Thank You!!
Linda says
Nice update!! Amazing what a couple cans of spray paint can do. Good job… looks like a new room.
Sarah says
Wow, such a transformation. I had the same brass on our fireplaces so I spray painted with the same paint 5 years later it looks the same. I cut the black mesh screen off, leaving the little strips, and it makes a big difference to how the fireplace looks. The glass can be cleaned easily, I can see the fire better and it looks more modern. I also took out the logs and painted the fire box using the same type of paint but in a can, with a brush.
Dianne says
Wow, your room looks so fresh and clean now! I love spray paint as well! Amazing what can be done with a can of spray paint.
Melissa says
Love your updates! It’s so fun to see how these small changes can make a huge impact on a room. A fresh coat of paint can correct a myriad of sins. I spray painted our guest bath plumbing fixtures (tub/shower) while still attached and it turned out great! They went from 90s Brass to black with only the cost of two cans of paint and a roll of tape.
Brie says
What a transformation! It looks great!
Tammie says
Thanks for this post! I also have shiny brass on our fireplace surround and the ceiling fan in our family room. Unfortunately, the whole fan is shiny brass except for the blades. Any advice on painting in that circumstance?
Barbara says
Brilliant and so easy.!
Anne says
All great ideas – thanks for that!
Jen says
Spray paint is like magic! Love the eggo box idea! I’ll remember that.
Hayley Coxe says
Wow, wow, wow!!! What a difference. Looks wonderful. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day.
Mary Ann Pickett says
Yay, Kris!!! Looks so much better! Happy Mother’s Day!
Margot says
Your fireplace updates look great. I’m forwarding all your ideas to my daughter who is looking to update her fireplace (which looks remarkably similar to yours!). A chimney sweep that we had years ago recommended we also spray the inside of our fireplace with the high heat spray paint. It’s amazing how much it improved the looks of our fireplace!
DEBRA@ 5TH AND STATE says
LOVE THIS KRIS!. and I learned so much. brilliant you, once again
xo debra
Nanci says
I like what you did especially that fan! I took my brass and glass doors off my fireplace and replaced it with a nice movable grate. They really make some nice decorative ones now. I love it so much!