Ceiling Medallions can range from the plastic ones at Home Depot to stunning wood pieces of art at Rejuvenation and beyond. If you are staring at a ceiling light wondering what’s missing; it’s the medallion.
What Is A Ceiling Medallion?
A ceiling medallion is a decorative piece (usually wood, or plastic) that is placed between the ceiling and the light fixture; creating a frame around the light’s canopy. As classic French and English decor find their way back into style, I guarantee ceiling medallions will too. Medallions add a finishing elegance to your bedroom or entryway.
We have a plastic medallion from Home Depot in Julia’s room; painted the same color as the ceiling. It adds a bit of texture, but the plastic options fall a little flat for me. For Reegan’s room, I wanted something that pops. Her room is a little more playful and grownup. I knew I wanted a distressed wood medallion; I also knew Jeff would never approve the Rejuvenation price tags.
Cut to me doing my favorite thing: Going on a thrifty hunt.
First I thought of Michaels, a wooden topper for a Lazy Susan might add just enough. Meh. I wanted more.
I headed to Home Goods and found myself in front of a shelf full of cake stands. Yes! Perfect! I brought two home and held them up against the ceiling/light fixture to pick my favorite.
Chunky. Pre Whitewashed. Side detailing. I kept this one for $24.99. (Very similar one HERE!) It came with a glass topper that I am giving away.
What Tools Are Needed to Make a Ceiling Medallion?
This did require a few tools we already had. I’m linking to all of the tools we used right here.
Drill | 1.5″ Forstner Bit | Oscillating Tool (or flat saw) | 10-32 x 3″ Screws | Brass Screw Off with Collar Loop Kit | Wooden Tray or Lazy Susan (More options below)
How To Make A Ceiling Medallion
Making and hanging a ceiling medallion takes 5 easy steps. Each medallion and light fixture is a little different but these steps will guide your way.
A Few Reminders Before Starting.
+ The hole has to be small enough to drill on each side of it and still be covered by the canopy!
+ The screws were tricky to find the length while keeping a thin width. I would not recommend picking any medallion item over 2″ thick. Finding a 4″ thin screw is a job. 3″ is probably your max screw and you need room to have it screw into the junction box.
Step 1:
Used a 1.5″ Forstner Bit to drill the hole in the center for the wires would go through.
Step 2:
We used an Oscillating multi-tool to take the legs off. If you have one, it’s really easy. However, you can use any jigsaw or flush knife. These feet had mini nails in them. I probably could have pried them off. A quick sanding is optional to make it flush to the ceiling!
Step 3:
Next, we drilled pilot holes through the wood to connect to the metal mount. Because this wood is thicker, we needed 3″ screws. You will be connecting the mount to the junction box first.
Step 4:
Pull the wires through the hole and screw the medallion into the mount and junction box.
Step 5:
Loop the fixtures cord on to the mount, wire the fixture, and slide the canopy into place.
The Final Reveal
Little details make a huge impact. We like our bedrooms to have minimal amounts of “stuff” in them, but still inspiring and relaxing. Minimalism doesn’t have to be white on white. A bedroom is a place you should lay down at night to take a deep breath, and then wake up inspired by a little bit of magic.
Reegan’s light fixture is a vintage french light I found on Etsy. I have linked several similar ones below. These fixtures come with a loop so you can attach them to mount such as this one.
The Before and After is amazing to me.
Similar Lights on Etsy!
Similar DIY Medallion Options
A Few GORGEOUS Options I Couldn’t Link Images:
- Target Wooden Cake Stand
- White Washed Floral Cake Stand
- Southern Living Option very similar to ours at Dillard’s
If DIY’s Aren’t Your Thing
Not everyone wants to drill a hole through a wood tray. I totally get it. If DIYs aren’t your thing I have linked some gorgeous ceiling medallion options below.