From Fugly to Vintage Industrial: Brass Hollywood Strip Bulb Light

If you’ve ever flipped on the bathroom switch and been greeted by a blinding row of bare bulbs and shiny brass, you already know the feeling: instant interrogation room, zero spa vibes. Those builder-grade Hollywood strip lights were the height of glamour in the 80s and 90s, but today they mostly scream “help, my bathroom is stuck in a time warp.” The good news? With a little DIY magic and a can (or two) of spray paint, you can turn that fugly bar of bulbs into a surprisingly chic, vintage industrial feature that looks intentional instead of accidental.

Inspired by the popular Hometalk project “From Fugly to Vintage Industrial: Brass Hollywood Strip Bulb Light,” this guide walks you through the why, the how, and the “wow, that actually looks good” of updating your Hollywood bar light. We’ll cover style ideas, safety basics, step-by-step instructions, plus real-life lessons learned from people who’ve already waged war on the ugly bar light and won.

Why Hollywood Strip Lights Look So Fugly Now

They were designed for function, not mood

Hollywood strip lights came from backstage dressing rooms where the goal was harsh, shadow-free illumination for makeupnot cozy, flattering lighting for brushing your teeth at 6 a.m. Those giant round bulbs are bright, direct, and flat. Design experts now say this kind of marquee-style lighting kills bathroom ambiance and can make a space feel sterile and dated, especially in all-white bathrooms. Instead of “spa,” you get “airport restroom with dreams of Broadway.”

All that shiny brass is working overtime

Pair those bulbs with a polished brass bar and you’ve got reflectivity on steroids. Light bounces off the metal, the mirror, and your sleep-deprived eyeballs. When brass isn’t balanced with texture or patina, it can look cheap instead of luxe. That’s why the goal isn’t to erase brass completelyit’s to reframe it with a more vintage industrial finish: think aged metal, warm tones, and character instead of mirror-bright gold.

Design trends moved on, but your light didn’t

Bathrooms today lean toward layered lighting: sconces, pendants, and soft overhead fixtures with warm color temperature bulbs. We also see more vintage-inspired and industrial piecesbrass with a brushed or antiqued finish, clear or seeded glass, and Edison-style bulbs that glow instead of glare. Leaving a lone shiny strip over your mirror makes the whole room feel unfinished, even if everything else has been updated.

Why a Vintage Industrial Makeover Is the Perfect Fix

It’s budget-friendly and beginner-friendly

One of the biggest perks of this project is cost. DIYers regularly refresh Hollywood strip fixtures using nothing more than cleaner, a little sandpaper, primer, and spray paintsometimes under $30 total. Updating instead of replacing is a smart move if you’re in a rental, working with a tight budget, or simply not ready to open up the wall for new electrical.

Industrial style loves imperfections

Vintage industrial design is basically “perfectly imperfect.” It celebrates visible screws, slightly distressed metal, and utilitarian shapes. That’s ideal for a former builder-basic fixture, because you don’t have to make it look like a brand-new boutique piecejust intentionally aged and upgraded. A brass bar that once looked cheap can suddenly feel like it came from a salvaged factory or old ship once you dial down the shine and pair it with the right bulbs.

It plays well with existing bathroom fixtures

Brass is incredibly versatile. You can pair an aged brass light with matte black faucets, chrome hardware, or even mixed metals across the room. Many modern bathroom lighting collections specifically highlight brass as a bridge between vintage and contemporary, so your updated light can tie together old tile, a newer vanity, and whatever you’re planning next.

Safety First: Before You Touch a Single Bulb

Let’s address the part nobody wants to talk about but everyone needs to: electricity. Changing or repainting a vanity light isn’t complicated, but you do need to be careful.

• Turn off the power at the breaker, not just at the switch. Flip on the light, then switch off the correct breaker and confirm the light goes out. If you have a non-contact voltage tester, use it on the fixture wires before you touch anything.
• Work in good lighting. Use a separate lamp or work light plugged into a different circuit so you’re not tempted to turn the bathroom light back on while working.
• Use proper tools. A screwdriver, painter’s tape, drop cloth, and safety glasses are usually all you need to remove the bar and prep it for painting.
• When in doubt, call a pro. If your wiring looks suspicious, the box is loose, or you’re uncomfortable, have an electrician handle removal and reinstallation while you handle the cosmetic makeover.

Step-by-Step: Turning Your Brass Hollywood Strip into Vintage Industrial Cool

1. Remove the bulbs and faceplate

Start by unscrewing all the bulbs and setting them aside (or just recycle them if you’re upgrading to LEDs). Then remove the small screws holding the metal bar to the wall. You’ll typically find a mounting plate underneath attached to the electrical box. Carefully pull the bar away just far enough to disconnect the wires.

Take a quick photo of how everything is wired before disconnecting. That picture is your best friend when it’s time to put everything back together.

2. Clean like the 90s depended on it

Years of hairspray, steam, and dust are probably clinging to your old fixture. Clean it thoroughly with a degreasing cleaner or a mix of dish soap and warm water. Grease and grime will ruin your paint finish, so don’t skip this step. After cleaning, dry it completely and remove any remaining residue with a quick wipe of rubbing alcohol.

3. Lightly sand and tape

Use fine-grit sandpaper to scuff the surface of the brass and any glossy parts. You’re not trying to strip it down to raw metaljust giving the primer something to grab onto. Wipe off dust with a tack cloth or damp rag. If there are parts you don’t want painted (such as threads inside the bulb sockets), mask them with painter’s tape.

4. Prime for metal

Choose a spray primer designed for metal surfaces. Apply several light coats instead of one heavy blast to avoid drips. Let the primer cure according to the can’s instructions. This step is crucial if you want your new finish to actually last instead of chipping the first time someone bumps the bar.

5. Spray on your vintage industrial finish

Now for the fun part. Popular finishes for a vintage industrial look include:

• Oil-rubbed bronze – Deep, moody, and forgiving of imperfections.
• Antique brass – Warmer than bronze but less shiny than polished brass.
• Soft black or charcoal – Pairs well with brass faucets and hardware for a mixed-metal look.

Hold the can 8–12 inches away and move in smooth passes, overlapping slightly. Let each coat dry before adding the next. Two to three coats usually give solid coverage. If you want a more aged feel, you can gently dry-brush a little metallic craft paint along the edges once the spray paint is fully dry.

6. Reassemble and reconnect

Once the finish has cured, reattach the bar to the mounting plate, reconnecting the wires exactly as before: black to black (hot), white to white (neutral), and green or bare copper to the ground screw. Carefully tuck the wires back into the box, tighten the mounting screws, then add any decorative caps.

7. Upgrade your bulbs for instant industrial style

Bulbs make or break this makeover. Swap the dated globe bulbs for:

• Edison-style LED bulbs with visible filaments and a warm 2200–2700K color temperature for that vintage glow.
• Frosted LED bulbs if you want softer light without seeing the filament or if your bar sits close to eye level.
• Dimmable options if your switch supports them, so you can have bright task light in the morning and softer ambiance at night.

Turn the breaker back on, flip the switch, and enjoy the moment your former eyesore suddenly looks like it came from a curated vintage lighting catalog.

Styling Your “New” Vintage Industrial Vanity Light

Balance the metal with warmth

Because industrial pieces can lean cool and utilitarian, add warmth elsewhere in the bathroom. Think wooden frames around the mirror, woven baskets, a textured bath mat, or brass hooks that pick up the tone of your light. Designers often pair brass fixtures with warm woods and soft textiles to keep the look from feeling too stark.

Coordinate (without being matchy-matchy)

You don’t have to replace every piece of hardware to match your updated light. Instead, pick one or two other elements in brass or blacklike the faucet and towel barand let the rest stay neutral. This creates a cohesive story without looking like you bought a “bathroom-in-a-box” kit.

Layer the lighting

If your bathroom allows it, add a small pendant or flush-mount fixture with a similar finish elsewhere in the room. A vintage-style pendant with brass and glass over the tub or in the center of the ceiling can echo the industrial vibe of your updated strip bar while providing softer general light.

Don’t forget the mirror

A simple black or wood-framed mirror under a newly industrial bar instantly feels more intentional. Frameless builder mirrors can still workespecially if you edge them with a DIY frame or install narrow side shelves to visually anchor the light.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the prep. If you don’t clean and sand, your beautiful new finish may peel the first time someone wipes the bar with cleaner.
• Using the wrong paint. Choose spray paint formulated for metal and, ideally, one that includes a primer or pair it with a dedicated metal primer.
• Painting in a closed bathroom. Spray outdoors or in a well-ventilated space with a drop cloth and mask. Overspray in a tiny bathroom is a fast track to speckled mirrors and lungs that are not impressed.
• Keeping the old bulbs. Nothing says “almost” like a beautifully painted fixture filled with the same harsh bulbs you started with. Invest in better lightingit’s still cheaper than a new fixture.
• Ignoring proportion. If your strip has eight sockets but your vanity is small, consider leaving some sockets empty and using decorative socket covers, or eventually replace the bar with a shorter fixture.

Is It Ever Better to Replace the Fixture Completely?

Sometimes, yes. If your electrical box is damaged, the fixture is rusted through, or the design still doesn’t work for your space even after paint and new bulbs, replacing may be the better option. But even in those cases, the “fugly to industrial” makeover can buy you time and significantly improve resale appeal while you plan a bigger renovation. Many real estate pros recommend updating old Hollywood bars one way or another before listing a home, since modern buyers often see them as an immediate “to-fix” item.

Real-Life Experiences: Living With a Brass Hollywood Strip Makeover

The first morning after the makeover

People who’ve updated their Hollywood strip lights almost always talk about the first morning they flipped the switch. Instead of squinting against a wall of cold white light, they get a warm glow that feels more like a boutique hotel and less like a dentist’s office. The reflection in the mirror softens, shadows are gentler, and the entire room suddenly looks more expensiveeven if nothing else changed.

One DIYer described it as “the cheapest attitude adjustment my bathroom has ever had.” Another said that once the light bar was painted and fitted with amber Edison bulbs, their old tile actually looked intentional, like it belonged in a vintage-inspired bath instead of a time capsule.

How the makeover affects daily routines

A surprisingly big benefit is how the new lighting feels at different times of day. Harsh white bulbs at full brightness can be rough early in the morning or late at night. Warm, dimmable bulbs in a darker, industrial-style fixture feel calmer. You’re still getting enough light to shave, do makeup, or wrangle a toddler’s toothbrushing session, but the experience is far less jarring.

People also tend to linger a bit longer when the bathroom feels cozy and intentional. Instead of rushing out, you might actually enjoy your skincare routine or evening wind-down. That’s a lot of impact from a small strip of painted metal and a few bulbs.

Lessons learned from DIYers

Across dozens of makeover stories, a few themes keep popping up:

• “I should have done this years ago.” The project almost always looks more intimidating in your head than it is in real life. Once finished, most people regret waiting so long.
• Spray paint technique matters. Taking the time for multiple thin coats, good ventilation, and patience between coats makes the difference between “DIY project” and “custom-looking fixture.”
• Bulb choice is everything. People who splurged on high-quality LED Edison bulbs are usually the happiest. They love the glow, the energy savings, and the way the filaments look behind glass.
• Industrial doesn’t have to mean dark. Vintage industrial style gets a bad rap for being moody or gloomy, but mixing warm brass, clear glass, and soft wall colors actually brightens up many bathrooms.
• The makeover can spark a mini-renovation. Updating the light often inspires other quick upgrades: painting the vanity, framing the mirror, changing cabinet hardware, or swapping out a shower curtain. The bar light becomes the first domino in a whole bathroom refresh.

When the project doesn’t go perfectly

Of course, not every makeover is flawless. Some people report minor hiccups: a bit of overspray on the back of the fixture, one stubborn screw that strips, or a paint finish that looks slightly uneven up close. The encouraging part? In most cases, these “mistakes” are invisible in daily use. The light sits above eye level, so nobody is inspecting it with a magnifying glass.

If something truly bothers youlike a run in the paintyou can lightly sand that area and touch it up. The industrial aesthetic is forgiving; a little variation in tone or texture can actually add to the charm, making it feel like a piece with history.

Long-term satisfaction

Months after the makeover, people generally still love their transformed fixtures. The paint holds up well when properly prepped, especially with modern metal-friendly formulas. LED bulbs last for years, so you’re not constantly climbing on the counter to replace them. And every time you walk into the bathroom, you see a piece of the room that you personally rescued from the land of fugly and turned into something stylish.

In the end, converting a brass Hollywood strip bulb light into a vintage industrial statement piece is less about chasing trends and more about reclaiming what you already own. It’s proof that with a little creativity, a tiny budget, and maybe a few paint-scented afternoons, you can give even the most dated fixture a second act.

Conclusion

Your old Hollywood strip bulb light doesn’t have to be the punchline of your bathroom. With a bit of prep, a smart paint choice, and some new bulbs, you can turn that dated brass bar into a vintage industrial feature that feels intentional, cozy, and surprisingly high-end. Whether you’re prepping a home for sale, refreshing a rental, or finally tackling the project you’ve been side-eyeing for years, this simple DIY upgrade delivers an outsized impact.

Instead of ripping everything out, you honor the bones of your bathroom while nudging them into the present. And every time you flip the switch, you’ll be reminded that “fugly” is often just a makeover away from fabulous.