I get lots of requests from design clients and blog readers for recommendations for alternatives to those generic builder-grade flush mount light fixtures in their entries and hallways. You know – the dreaded nipple lights:
Dated Brass Nipple Lights
My decorating experience here in Nashville and with online clients has certainly forced me to find some good alternatives to the builder-grade fixture. Not only are these light fixtures dated, they are just plain ugly. No one (I mean NO ONE) is going to walk into a house with fixtures like these and think, “wow, what nice light fixtures you have!” Come on, we can do better than that!
While the options are a bit limited in this price range, here are a few you can score at big box stores (either Lowes‘ or Home Depot) for under $100:
I’ve updated this post to give you 16 on-trend options to dreaded nipple lights under $100 at Lowe’s. Check out the updated post here!
Kristie, did you sneak into my home and take a photo of our dreaded nipple light in our hallway??? We had 12 of them when we moved in….2 left. I do like a few of your suggestions so hopefully the last two will be gone by Summer.
Nipple lights…the cardinal sin of builders. Thanks for giving us some options that have a big impact and a small price tag. Your blog is a daily-read for me down here in Huntsville, AL.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Elissa!
Surprisingly, Lowes has some nice, inexpensive alternatives. Their selection is pretty good and very reasonable.
my daughter has this nipple light in her bedroom and she wants a chandelier. do you know what do I need extra to make the conversion? or nothing extra needed?
good news: nothing extra needed! you can hang any kind of light you like if there’s electricity running to it!
Those boob lights again! I even mentioned you in a post I did about them a few months ago! I know how you love them! 🙂
Oh No the dreaded Boob/Nipple lights. I like several of the options you showed. Just might have to visit Lowes and update on in an extra bedroom. I read your blog daily and really enjoy it. Thanks for the suggestions.
I agree with you and also dislike those nipple fixtures (yuk!). I have that very first light fixture that you show above (the one right after the “nipple” fixture at the top). I purchased it at Home Depot online and LOVE it. First of all, it is made with a WHITE (not off-white or beige as it is shown in the photo) organza-type fabric on the outside shade. This fixture is in my hallway which is painted a creamy white (Behr’s Eggshell Cream) and I wanted to keep the “creaminess” style, so I painted the fixture (the brown parts) and the upside down finial in the Eggshell Cream Semi-Gloss (left over from painting my crown molding and trim). Voila! I now have a fixture that looks fabulous in my “creamy” colored hallway. The fixture is so elegant and looks like it cost hundreds.
Very clever, Gina! Sounds lovely 🙂
So glad to hear someone else refer to these lights this way. I call them boob lights. I like all of your recommendations for “boob reduction.” light fixtures, that is
I've always said our lights look like boobs! Glad to know I'm not alone!