How To Make Your Own Recessed Light Covers

Kirstin Harrington
by Kirstin Harrington

Many homes have recessed lighting in several rooms. Most often, you’ll find this type of lighting in common areas like kitchens and living rooms. You may find yourself wanting to cover the recessed lights in your ceilings with an updated look.

To make your own recessed light cover, you can simply use a mason jar with an Edison bulb for a trendy look. For fancier options, you can opt to go for the mini chandelier look or add magnetic shades. For most homeowners, using an energy-efficient solution can be achieved with just a handful of materials from your local craft store.

Today we’re going to dive into fun projects that make covering recessed lights something to look forward to. Everything from a sparkling chandelier to something classic and straightforward. These DIY options are perfect for anyone, no matter their experience level.

Using DIY Covers For Recessed Lights

DIY projects are perfect for rainy days and often teach you a new skill. Below you’ll find a handful of different versions of recessed light covers. There are a variety of different styles included, so you’re bound to find something that looks great in your home.

Option 1: Mini Chandelier

If you’re looking for a more glamorous way to cover recessed lights, consider making a mini chandelier. This is one of the easiest ways to spruce up any room in the house, with just a few things from the craft store.

Tools & Materials You’ll Need

  • Beads or crystals 
  • Fishing line 
  • Superglue 
  • Hollow round frame

Before heading to the store to pick up supplies, you’ll want to measure around the entire light, including the frame. You’ll later use this information to find a perfect size hollow round frame. Once your home, it won’t take too long before you’ve got yourself a mini chandelier.

Steps to Making Your Own Recessed Light Fixture Cover

Step 1: Cut The Right Line Length

The first thing you’ll want to do is cut the fishing line to your desired length. You can do them all one size or have every other one short with longer pieces in between. The choices are endless, and you can find inspiration all over the internet.

Once you have the fishing line cut, tie a knot at the bottom to keep the beads or crystals in place. Thanks to the way this line is designed, you won’t even be able to see the knot when it’s hung in place.

Step 2: Add Beads or Crystals

The next thing you’ll want to do is start putting the beads or crystals on the fishing line. This is another step where you can get as creative or basic as you’d like. You can have different colors, sizes, or even shapes of beads.

Step 3: Secure the Crystals

If you have all of the beads or crystals on the lines you’ve cut, you have the choice of how to secure them. I suggest trying another knot and then leaving about two inches of fishing line above that. You can also skip the knot and leave the fishing line as is. Whichever way you choose, the finished result should look the same. I prefer going the extra mile to make them as secure as can be.

Step 4: Use Superglue

Next, take the superglue and apply it to the top two inches of the fishing line. Carefully press the fishing line with glue to the inside of the round frame. Do this until the entire structure has beads hanging all the way around.

Step 5: Attach the Metal Frame

Take the metal frame and attach it around the recessed light on the ceiling. There are a number of ways you can do this. Many folks will opt for screws because they’re the quickest and easily accessible.

Option 2: Use Mason Jars

If you’re going for a more industrial look, this may be a great addition to your home. Forget dull old recessed lighting when you can spruce things up using Edison bulbs and mason jars.

Many people first get recessed lighting because it’s practically hidden in the ceiling. There isn’t a giant light bulb or cover taking up space. If you end up changing your mind about how you want the lighting to look, this is an excellent option.

Tools & Materials You Need:

  • Edison bulbs
  • Large mason jars
  • Safety shrouds
  • Superglue

Step 1: Glue Part of the Mason Jar

First things first, you want to glue part of the mason jar lid to the safety shroud. Mason jars come with a screw-on cap with a round metal cover. You can discard the rounded cover for this project.

Simply take the hollow, round screw lid and glue it onto the safety shroud. The purpose of this is to hide the lid out of sight. The final product will make it look like the mason jar is simply screwed into the ceiling.

Step 2: Insert the Safety Shroud

After the glue is dried, you can insert the safety shroud into the ceiling. You’d do this in the same way it was initially installed. It shouldn’t require any extra work or measuring since the mason jar lid is thin.

Step 3: Replace the Bulb

Next, replace the lightbulb in the recessed light with an Edison bulb. The best thing about these lightbulbs is that they come in a variety of different shapes and sizes. If you want, you can skip the mason jar part altogether and have free-floating Edison bulbs.

If not, it’s essential to make sure the bulb is small enough to fit inside the mason jar. To prevent another trip to the store, measure the circumference of the jar opening before picking up supplies.

Step 4: Screw-in the Mason Jar

The last step is to screw the mason jar into the safety shroud. That’s it! This option is one of the easiest, and you’re left with a trendy-looking light. The only downfall is Edison bulbs are expensive, but you can use any style of lightbulb if that’s an issue.

Option 3: Magnetic Shades

Adding magnetic shades is a great way to make your ceiling look more modern and gives a classic vibe as well. Here’s what you’ll need for this last DIY option:

  • Hollow round frame (at least three inches long vertically)
  • Parchment paper 
  • Magnets 
  • Glue 
  • Scissors 

Step 1: Measure the Inside of the Frame

Measure the inside of the hollow frame. This allows you to cut the perfect piece of parchment paper. If you’re looking to add a bit of fun to a kid’s room, they can color on the paper before installing it.

Step 2: Glue the Parchment Paper

Next, glue the parchment paper into the inside of the frame. This type of paper can handle between 420 and 450-degrees Fahrenheit. Recessed lighting doesn’t surpass 194-degrees.

Step 3: Add Small Magnets to the Frame’s Border

Add small, thin magnets around the border of the frame. If you don’t want it to affect how it looks from the outside, apply the magnets just inside the metal frame.

Step 4: Attach Magnets to Safety Shroud

The last thing you need to do is attach magnets to the safety shroud already installed around the recessed light. While most crafting magnets have a sticky side, you can ensure the frame stays in place by gluing the magnets down.

Attach the frame magnets to the one on the safety shroud, and you have yourself a chic recessed light cover. I think this style looks best in children’s bedrooms or in living rooms.


Related Questions

Can I cover recessed lighting with insulation?

If you’re looking to completely cover where recessed lighting used to be, insulation is not the answer. If a recessed light gets buried with anything like foam, fiberglass, or even cellulose, it can cycle continuously. This can result in a safety hazard, so it’s best to avoid it. 


Can recessed lighting cause fire?

Just like any other lighting fixture, recessed lighting can cause fires. This usually only happens if they aren’t installed correctly in the first place. The external temperature of the light has to reach 194-degrees Fahrenheit before a fire can result. This is why it’s important to make sure the wiring is correct and properly placed. You also want to avoid the fixtures coming in contact with combustible materials, including insulation. 


Does recessed lighting increase home value?

Absolutely! If you have old or boring light fixtures in your home, you can increase the value by adding recessed lights. This makes the house feel more inviting and gives future homebuyer’s more control over the brightness of the room. 

Kirstin Harrington
Kirstin Harrington

Kirstin is a passionate writer who loves helping people learn new things when it comes to home improvement. When she's not behind a keyboard, she enjoys DIY projects, crafts, spending time with her pets, and making videos. She hopes that with all she writes, someone is finding a solution to their home improvement needs.

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