You have one, I know you do. The boob lights plague most American homes & apartments and I get it—they’re cheap for builders to use but hot dang, they are ugly.
I mean, who wants little tittie lights when you could have a stunning statement ceiling light or a even a cute little flush mount that doesn’t look like it should be wearing a bra.
After realizing the fans at our cabin all have those round boob light attachments, I went on a rampage to figure out how to do a boob light replacement and it turns out, it’s not too hard. You just need the right pieces and direction.
This ceiling light fixture shape falls under the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon – once you notice it, you see it everywhere.
I went happily and blissfully in my 20’s living in crappy college apartments and then our San Francisco studio not really paying attention to the hallways lights at all. And then one day I saw a TikTok about how everyone has a boob light in their home.
You can’t escape them. Don’t believe it? Go, look, right now.
So I got out of bed and looked up to the ceiling and was like “wait, when did I get titty lights?? NOOO” And now I can’t help but notice mount boob lights everywhere I go and their utter lack of personality.
Thankfully, they can be replaced.
How To Do A DIY Boob Light Replacement
It’s pretty easy to swap out a boob light. In many instances, you can replace boob lights without rewiring. Just unscrew the glass and install a new light into it. Easy peasy.
There’s also boob light conversion kits you can order to help screw the new light in properly without taking the whole things out. They’re actually called flush mount conversion kits and you need to make sure you order the right size.
But of course, sometimes you need to take out the whole ceiling titty and install something new, but an electrician can do quickly.
21 Boob Light Alternatives To Upgrade Your Home From Builder Grade
Consider this your shopping guide to replacing the boob lights in your home with beautiful ceiling light fixtureswith a splash of some design tips and decor ideas.
Flush Mount
Flush mount light fixtures are mounted directly on the ceiling, with no gap between the wall and fixture. This type of lower-profile lighting is a great and practical option for when there isn’t enough ceiling clearance for hanging fixtures, AKA basem*nts and rooms with dropped ceilings.
Since they’re flush to the ceiling, you don’t have to worry about frequent dust and dead bugs gathering inside the fixture like you might with some other styles.
A lot of boob lights are also flush mounts, but don’t worry—there’s tons of better options that’ll fit any aesthetic. I found some replacement flush mount lights that would look great in your home! (Begone, flush mount boob!)
Photo Credit:West Elm
West Elm Edie Prismatic Flush Mount
This flush mount ceiling light from West Elm will add a touch of vintage vibes to any space with its fun disco ball-esque shape and textured glass!
It’s even ETL-listed for damp locations, so you could replace your bathroom or outdoor patio boob light. The Edie fixture is hardwired and comes with assembly instructions to DIY, but professional installation is recommended for those who don’t know how to remove boob lights.
Photo Credit:Pottery Barn
Pottery Barn Carneros Milk Glass Flush Mount
Inspired by midcentury Danish dome lighting, this Pottery Barn option is a perfect choice for Scandi design lovers who want to revamp an ugly boob light. The inner milk glass shade is hand blown and nestled inside a brass flush mount light fixture (it comes in two finishes!) that drops a few inches below its mount.
The Carneros fixture is versatile in every aspect and can weather the elements if mounted outdoors as well as an office or dining room.
Photo Credit:Amazon
Amazon Bargeni Light Flush Mount
I love how minimalistic this fixture is! I think these would look great in a hallway or above a staircase. The built-in LED light source means you don’t have to purchase bulbs or worry about replacements, so no pulling the ladder in and out of storage. These are also compatible with most standard dimmers.
This fixture (and similar) low-profile flush mounts are good alternatives to recessed lighting. You get the same inconspicuous look that doesn’t take away from any cool interior design you want to highlight but don’t have the hassle of installing them directly into the ceiling.
Don’t forget to save 40% off by clipping the coupon on Amazon and the speedy Prime shipping means you can replace your boob light ASAP.
Photo Credit:Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters Wally Flush Mount
The Wally fixture will light up your life (and your bedroom too)! It’s so cute and funky with the green base but still looks polished and chic in the cream colorway. It accommodates 3 incandescent or LED bulbs, so your space can be even brighter.
Unless you’re handy and experienced with hardwiring lighting you’ll have to let the professionals install this one but it’s well worth it!
Photo Credit:Wayfair
Wayfair Sally 5-Light Flush Mount
This Wayfair find will elevate any room with its modern glitz and glam. The hanging crystal beads and prism charms add to the shiny effect—they reflect extra light from the 5-bulb setup and cast it all over the ceiling.
Dozens of 5-star reviews vouch not only for how easy assembly and installation is, but also how many compliments this fixture gets!
Photo Credit:Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters Julia Tiered Fringe Light
Boho meets classy with this fringey flush ceiling fixture! I love the organic look to this lighting option and it stands out without being as in-your-face as a chandelier. It’d create the perfect relaxed bedroom ambience to replace the night table boob lamp.
Semi Flush Mount
Semi-flush fixtures are ceiling lights partially mounted to the ceiling with a minimal gap from the fixture to the ceiling. They hang down slightly, but aren’t as dramatic as pendant lights or chandeliers, which still makes them a good light fittings for low ceilings.
One of the advantages of semi-flush mount lighting fixtures is better ambient light effect, since there’s more space between the ceiling and fixture than flush mounts, which only provide direct downward light. This makes semi-flush mounts popular for areas in the house that might need more light, like a kitchen or living room.
Photo Credit:West Elm
West Elm Rattan Bubble
I’m a big fan of natural textures and this rattan shade fixture from West Elm is so cute. It’s technically in the kids section of their website and would look great in a nursery or playroom but don’t let that stop you! You could have it replace your office or even bathroom boob light since it’s ETL-listed to withstand dampness.
Photo Credit:CB2
CB2 Copa Tiered Natural Rattan Light
I feel like the shape of this CB2 fixture pays homage to the good ole boob light but is about 100 times better. The mixed mediums of brass and rattan make this piece look so unique and modern. It looks like a work of art even without flipping the light switch!
The natural rattan is my favorite but it comes in a black colorway that looks extra avant-garde.
Photo Credit:Amazon
Amazon DLLT Industrial Semi-Flush Mount
Choosing hallway or foyer lighting fixtures is a tough decision. So many options are too boring or too extra and it’s hard to find a happy medium that’ll highlight your space without stealing the show.
I’m tempted to install these in the foyer of our cabin! They have a timeless look that goes with everything so you don’t have to worry about clashing aesthetics. Combined with reviewers saying installation is easy and the fast Prime shipping/returns, I feel like a bonus to this fixture comes is extra peace of mind.
Photo Credit:Amazon
Amazon XiNBEi Globe Semi-Flush Mount
This is another versatile option that balances modern and simple. I like that the glass shade completely covers the light—no one likes seeing or cleaning dust and bugs in shades!
It mimics a pendant-style fixture, but with its total length only being 14 ⅛ inches it would be a great choice for homes with shorter ceilings in areas that benefit from task-lighting, like above kitchen counters or desks.
It comes with all the required mounting hardware so installation is straightforward for those who might not have a toolbox handy.
Photo Credit:Wayfair
Wayfair Beatryce 3-Light Glass Semi-Flush Mount
You’ll get the best bang for your buck with this Wayfair find! The 3 glass globes promise lots of bright light delivered in a classy package with its shiny gold base. The design is much more streamlined than a chandelier but will provide both upward and downward light to fill the whole room.
Bulbs are included to save you from an extra trip to Home Depot!
Photo Credit:Wayfair
Allionna LED Drum Semi-Flush Mount
I feel like this fixture perfectly fits the Scandinavian/Nordic aesthetic—simple and functional with the perfect yet tasteful pop of color. Light fixtures don’t always have to be brass and glass! Adding to its functionality, the light direction of this semi-flush can also be adjusted thanks to the swiveling rod.
It’s crafted with an integrated LED light, which are praised for energy-saving, environmental protection, and also means you don’t have to keep replacing the bulb.
Recessed Lighting
Recessed lighting fixtures are installed directly in holes that have been cut from a ceiling or wall and lay flush to the surface. (They’re also known as can lights and down lights.) This type of lighting is more understated than most fixtures and is great for homes where you want to highlight the home decor or interior design.
Recessed fixtures take up no extra room, making them the best option for tight spaces and will make any space feel bigger (and brighter)!
Unfortunately, recessed lighting options aren’t the best fit for most renters, unless its been pre-approved by your landlord. Installation is also best left to the professionals since you don’t want to risk electrical issues or misshapen holes in your ceilings! For renter-friendly boob light replacements, I would check out the flush mount recommendations.
Photo Credit:Amazon
Philips Hue Smart Retrofit Recessed Downlight
Who knew light fixtures could be smart? These Philips Hue lights connect to Bluetooth and have a range of 16 million colors that can all be controlled by your phone. You can create preset lighting schemes to change throughout the day or even sync to media like music and gaming systems. These are also compatible with Alexa systems, so they can be voice-controlled!
We have these in our apartment and love playing with the different light colors to create any vibe.
Photo Credit:Lowe's
Halo E-Series White Baffle Recessed Light Trim
This super affordable fixture from Lowe’s is the most versatile downlight option. It’s perfect for if you have killer art or home decor you want to highlight.
These have 4.7 out of 5 stars and so many reviews from real customers who can vouch for easy installation and great results!
Photo Credit:Amazon
Amazon Amico 12-Pack LED Recessed Light With Night Light
At just under $100 for a 12 pack (plus another $10 off if you clip the coupon), this is a crazy good deal.
I’ve seen a lot of light dimming systems but I love how this one’s night light option looks—it creates the perfect luxurious evening ambiance.
Pendant Lighting
This category might be my favorite alternatives to boob lights. Like a pendant on a necklace, pendant lighting fixtures are suspended from the ceiling, often by something like a cord, rod, or chain. They typically have a single light source that’s housed by a decorative shade.
Pendant lights are great for providing direct task lighting, so they’re popular in kitchens or right above a desk.
Since they hang lower than flush and semi-flush mount lighting fixtures, pendant fixtures are better left to spaces with higher ceilings so you don’t risk banging your head or breaking the shade.
Photo Credit:AllModern
AllModern Schultz Pendant
I can’t think of anything better to replace a boob light than this pendant fixture from AllModern. It walks the line between industrial and mid-century modern in the best way.
Looks aren’t everything—it’s also rated for damp areas and the hanging length is adjustable so it truly fits everywhere. There’s also 11 different colors so you can choose between neutrals or a pop of color. Either way, this pendant makes a statement!
Photo Credit:HAY
HAY Bonbon Shade
How gorgeous is this bestselling shade from HAY? It’s crafted from a steel wire frame with colorful yarns carefully wrapped around by hand. This means that each piece is truly one of a kind.
I’d put this pendant above a dining table or another visible area so everyone could enjoy it—it’s too pretty not to!
Keep in mind that you’ll have to also purchase the pendant lighting cord set if you want to hang this.
Photo Credit:West Elm
West Elm Henry Pendant
Chic and simple, this West Elm pendant is an elegant choice for your task-lighting needs. I think a pair (or more) of these would look great above barstool seating or long kitchen island.
It comes in 8 different shade colors and 2 types of metal finishes. I love how the milk glass shade has a soft glow but the ceramic options are also a unique texture that I haven’t seen often.
Photo Credit:West Elm
West Elm Sculptural Flat Bar Globe Pendant
Globe shades are a classic that look great in every home! I love how this pendant from West Elm modernizes the timeless shape with the low-profile metal rod.
The shades come in 4 different sizes, ranging from 6” to 13” so you can customize them to your space’s needs.
Photo Credit:Wayfair
Wayfair Helsinki 1-Light Single Dome Pendant
This natural wicker rattan shade would make a great pendant for a cozy spot. It’s perfect if you’re not into the super modern/industrial look or want to avoid glass shades.
The 30-inch chain is adjustable and the pendant can reach a maximum hanging height of 44 inches, which is great for ceilings of all heights. Don’t worry about sloped ceilings either—this fixture is adaptable!
Photo Credit:Wayfair
Wayfair Brashear 1-Light Single Dome Pendant
There’s nearly 100 5-star reviews for the pendant and it’s not hard to see why! This sleek contemporary pendant fixture gives great direct downlight (AKA awesome for task lighting).
The hardest choice you’ll have to make is what color you want—the yellow and orange shades are the perfect pops of color and give a retro vibe.
I hope this post gave you some ideas and inspiration so you won’t have to look at those boobs on your ceilings for too much longer! There’s so much more out there than ugly boob lights and I’m excited to find the perfect fixtures for our cabin.
Leave a comment and let us know how your boob light replacement journey goes and if there’s any cool replacement light fixtures we missed on the list!
Kara
I'm the founder of Whimsy Soul (this blog you're reading!) I'm a type 3 enneagram cat lady who lives in San Francisco and loves to find everyday magic to share with others. You can probably find me hunting down hot springs with girlfriends, kayaking, cooking with my husband, petting strangers' dogs or watching like, all the things on Netflix. Follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration!
