As a homeowner, you likely fall into one of two camps: Either you've replaced your lights and love them, or you’ve had the same builder-grade fixtures since you moved in. Regardless, buyers are sure to notice your home’s sconces, pendants, and flush-mounts, and it can make or break their opinion of your listing. Here, a realtor weighs in on which light fixtures to replace before listing your home, and which to choose for broader appeal.

Kristy Nakamura is the broker of sales at Your Oahu Home Team with eXp Realty on Oahu, Hawaii.

Which Light Fixture Should You Replace Before Listing Your Home?

Dated brass or gold-toned light fixtures should be swapped out before listing your home, as they're often an immediate turn-off for buyers. While not difficult to replace, outdated light fixtures can significantly impact a room's overall look.

Kristy Nakamura, broker of sales at Your Oahu Home Team with eXp Realty, says these dated fixtures are often found in the form of builder-grade chandeliers and bathroom vanity lights from the '90s and early 2000s.

"They instantly age a home in listing photos, and buyers notice them immediately during walkthroughs," says Nakamura. "In Hawaii, we also see a lot of ceiling fans with integrated light kits that are dingy, yellowed, or have pull chains hanging down. They make a room feel cheap, even if the rest of the space is updated."

Light fixtures don't have to be outdated to be an eyesore for buyers. In fact, anything that's overly personalized or draws too much attention to itself can be a potential turn-off.

Consistency Is Key

Nakamura says you don't have to splurge on bespoke replacement light fixtures to attract more buyers, and can likely find attractive, budget-friendly options at a nearby hardware store.

"For sellers on a budget, I tell them to skip the fancy designer fixtures and go to Home Depot or Lowe's for matte black or brushed nickel options in the $40-$120 range," she explains. "Consistency matters more than spending a lot—matching finishes throughout (all matte black hardware, all brushed nickel) creates a cohesive look that photographs beautifully and signals 'move-in ready' to buyers."

In her experience, ensuring the light fixtures match throughout the home, along with attention to other small details, results in higher offers. "We actually just had this come up with a recent listing. The seller asked if they should bother matching all the light fixtures throughout the home, and we said absolutely—go consistent across the board," she says. "That attention to small details, including the matched fixtures, helped that home sell for $100K over asking. It's always the little things that signal to buyers that a home has been cared for."

Which Rooms to Replace Light Fixtures In

Not everyone has the budget to replace every single light fixture in their home before selling. If this is the case, Nakamura recommends focusing on three specific areas she believes have the greatest impact, as they photograph well and "create the impression that the whole home has been updated."

Here are her recommendations:

• Entryway Fixture: As the first thing buyers see when they enter a home, entryway light fixtures create a natural first impression.
• Kitchen Lighting: Nakamura specifically recommends giving attention to under-cabinet lighting and pendant fixtures over an island.
• Primary Bathroom Vanity Light: This simple swap can transform the entire primary bathroom.

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When to Leave Light Fixtures Alone

It's important to know the difference between a dated light fixture that should be replaced and when it's not worth investing in a new one. "If a home has original mid-century modern fixtures or vintage lighting that's in good condition, I tell sellers to leave them," says Nakamura. "In Hawaii especially, there's a market for character homes with period-appropriate details. Ripping out a beautiful original Sputnik chandelier to replace it with something generic would actually hurt the listing."

When deciding whether to replace your light fixtures, Nakamura has a simple rule of thumb: "If the fixture has style and it works, leave it. If it's old and generic, swap it."