Don't let an ugly 'boob light' ruin the look of your home – these renter-friendly flush mounts are much more attractive and just as easy to install

Because the rooms in your home deserve better than ugly ceiling lights

set of three rooms. The first features intricate floral wallpaper, a wooden cabinet, and flowers on top of the cabinet. The second features a red shoe rack filled with shoes and abstract artwork on the walls. The final is a child's bedroom with a small bed filled with pillows and stuffed animals
(Image credit: Tulip Shades)

What type of lighting do you have in your home? Maybe you have recessed lights mounted in your kitchen, or perhaps some table and floor lamps decorate your main living space. But if you live in an older home, a rental unit, or even a dorm, there's a strong chance that one (if not more) of your rooms is adorned with an ugly ceiling light – aka the 'boob light'.

What is the 'boob light', you ask? It's a term many have used to describe the infamous big light in interiors – a flush mount ceiling light centered to the room that protrudes downward and has horrible light output. It's a lighting idea that leaves interior design lovers like myself wondering why it even got so popular in the first place. Sure, its simple design and easy installation might seem attractive to some, but the boob light is so often plain ugly.

With so many stylish lighting trends nowadays, there are endless opportunities for ugly ceiling light replacements. And because I (unfortunately) live in a home with several of these unattractive light features, I've made it my personal mission to find the most practical, easy-to-install, and of course, chic alternatives.

Whether you need a simple bedroom lighting idea for your home or rental apartment, or want to get ahead on dorm room ideas to make your space feel more comfortable and inviting, these products can turn those ugly ceiling lights into something worthy of attention.

a pink bathroom with a tiled shower, a multi-colored ceiling lamp, and a vase of flowers on the sink countertop

(Image credit: Tulip Shades)

Replacing unattractive 'boob lights' with stylish flush mounts can change the design of any room of your home for the better. But want to know what else can? Layered lighting. Instead of just one light source, multiple light sources are the key to making a room feel cohesive and inviting.

Devin Toolen
Style Editor

Devin Toolen is a New York-based Style Editor for Homes & Gardens. After achieving her Bachelor’s Degree at Villanova University, Devin moved to Paris, France, to obtain her Master’s Degree at Parsons School of Design. Upon returning to the United States, Devin began working in the media industry with Cosmopolitan Magazine, where she wrote trend-driven fashion stories and assisted on set for many photoshoots, and later Livingetc, where she wrote interior design stories and assisted with the magazine’s social media pages. She has an appreciation for every aspect of personal style – from the clothes we wear to the design of our homes. In her spare time, Devin enjoys embroidery and antique shopping in the city.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.