Light bulbs often sit in the background illuminating space around them.
They are usually assumed to be unchangeable beyond swapping light bulbs. However, is this true? Are light bulbs impossible to improve aesthetically?
The first question you will want to ask is, can you paint a light bulb with a sharpie?
You can paint a light bulb with a sharpie. The light bulb can be painted using a permanent marker but this will diminish the fixture’s performance and longevity. Feel free to choose the right sharpie for your light bulb and customize its color in seconds.
This is a simple tweak and one that can change the entire aesthetic of the light bulb. In many cases, this is a wonderful solution and does come with perks.
This article will take a look at a few tips on how to paint a light bulb with a sharpie to make sure it looks good.
Best Sharpies (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
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Tips On How To Paint A Light Bulb With A Sharpie
1. Choose the Right Color
You will want to start with a simple decision.
Choosing the right type of sharpie will make sure it looks aesthetically pleasing as soon as the task is done. The wrong permanent market may start to look splotchy, uneven, or odd. To avoid a scenario like this, make sure to use a sharpie.
When choosing a color, it is always best to look at the light fixture along with the rest of the room. This will ensure the color that you go with looks the part.
For example, if the rest of the room has grays, blacks, and whites then you should be staying within this range too.
However, rooms that have a lot of color in them can welcome a bright red light bulb or perhaps a green light bulb.
The options are going to depend on what the rest of the room looks like including the lighting fixture too.

2. Start From The Top
When using a sharpie to color a light bulb, you will want to start from the top of the bulb.
What is the reason for doing this?
The goal is to make sure when the ink starts to dry, it doesn’t slip down and ruin the rest of the work you have done. Most people will start from the top and let it drip or spread without harming previous work.
Starting at the top will also cover most of the area when the sharpie is fresh. This can make sure that the top layer is thick and looks appealing as that is where the eye will naturally go.
3. Do Multiple Layers
When coloring a light bulb using a sharpie, you have to color multiple times to cover the gaps.
What a lot of people don’t realize is the light bulb will produce heat when it’s on. This is natural and it’s something you will be well aware of when touching any type of light bulb around the house. It will get warm.
While this isn’t a big deal when there is no color on the light bulb, it can become an issue if you are using a sharpie to paint it.
In this case, what you will want to do is take the sharpie and color the light bulb two times. This will create multiple coats or layers that cover the gaps.

4. Don’t Mix and Match
You will want to make sure to not mix and match sharpies or permanent markers.
It is best to choose one color and go from there. This will create an even-toned, balanced design especially if this is the first time you are doing it.
Over time, you can pick up experience and learn what can mix but don’t do it the first time around. Keep it simple and learn how to color with a sharpie. This is how you are going to see good results as soon as the light bulb is set into place.
Final Thoughts
Can you paint a light bulb with a sharpie?
You can paint a light bulb with a sharpie. It is important to note, the light bulb might start producing diminishing results as the marker will dim its illumination.
This is one of those simple changes that will look stylish and personalize the light bulb. Most people don’t think about this part of a light fixture but it is a unique change that is easy to make. Look into it and see how it works out for your project.
This is a simple way to make sure the light bulb is appealing.
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