Nothing ages a split-level faster than bad lighting. The low ceilings, dark entry halls, and chopped-up floor plan that define mid-century split-levels were designed around incandescent bulbs and fluorescent tubes — neither of which does the space any favors in 2025.
The good news: lighting is one of the cheapest, highest-impact upgrades you can make. You don’t need an electrician for most of it. You don’t need to open walls. And unlike a kitchen remodel, you can do it one fixture at a time as budget allows.
Here are the lighting upgrades that made the biggest difference in my split-level — with the exact products I’d buy today.
1. Recessed Lighting Retrofit Kits — The Single Biggest Upgrade
If your split-level has old can lights with yellowed trim rings and incandescent bulbs, a recessed retrofit kit is the fastest way to modernize them. You literally unscrew the old bulb, clip the new LED wafer into the existing can, and plug it in. No electrician, no drywall, no permits.
The result: crisp, even, modern light that makes low ceilings feel taller and rooms feel cleaner instantly.
What to look for:
- Color temperature of 2700K–3000K for warm, livable light (avoid 5000K in living spaces — it’s too cold)
- Dimmable — always get dimmable, even if you haven’t installed dimmer switches yet
- Fits your existing can size (most are 4″ or 6″)
Top pick: The Sunco Lighting LED Retrofit Kit is a perennial bestseller for good reason — reliable, dimmable, and a fraction of the cost of new fixtures.
Easy to install, and interchangeable brightness so you're not stuck going back in forth to Lowes buying different bulbs.
2. Dimmer Switches — The $15 Upgrade That Changes Everything
This one is embarrassingly simple and almost nobody does it. Replacing a standard on/off switch with a dimmer costs about $15 and takes 15 minutes. The difference in ambiance — especially in a living room or dining area — is night and day.
Split-levels often have the living room and dining area on the same level with limited natural light. A dimmer lets you dial the mood for entertaining, movie nights, or just not being blasted with overhead light at 9pm.
Important: Make sure your bulbs are dimmer-compatible (most modern LEDs are, but check the box).
Top pick: Lutron Diva is the gold standard — smooth slide dimmer, works with virtually all LED bulbs, and looks clean on the wall. I have these throughout my split-level.
This is the one I personally use. The lighting adjustment is so responsive, theres no "flickering" and it pairs with my home's smarthub for remote control.
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3. Flush Mount Ceiling Lights — Replace the Boob Lights
You know the ones. The frosted glass dome fixtures that came standard in every bedroom, hallway, and bathroom of every home built between 1960 and 1995. They’re cheap, they’re ugly, and they’re in every room of your split-level.
Replacing them with a modern flush mount is a direct swap — same wiring, same ceiling box, no electrician needed. A good modern flush mount costs $30–$80 and takes about 20 minutes to install.
What to look for:
- Integrated LED (no bulb to replace, lasts 20+ years)
- Slim profile — important for low split-level ceilings
- Dimmable
- Brushed nickel or matte black finish depending on your hardware finishes
Top pick: The Hykolity LED Flush Mount is a consistent top seller — clean lines, integrated LED, dimmable, and under $40. Looks like it cost three times as much.
Also can adjust the shade of light to match the rest of your house.
4. Pendant Lights for the Kitchen or Dining Area
If your open floor plan renovation exposed the kitchen to the living area, or if your dining space sits at the mid-level entry, a pendant light is the finishing touch that makes the space feel designed rather than renovated.
Pendants over an island or dining table are one of the most-noticed features in a home. They’re also one of the easiest to install — most hang from a standard ceiling box and hardwire in under 30 minutes.
What to look for:
- Adjustable cord or rod length — critical for getting the height right over a table or island
- Finish that matches your other hardware (matte black is having a moment and ages well)
- Scale appropriate to your space — one large pendant or two smaller ones over an island
Top pick: The Moooni matte black dome pendant is a bestseller that looks straight out of a design magazine. Works over islands, dining tables, and entryways.
Comes in a wide variety of colors. It's usuallt best to match the shade of your kitchen cabinet hardware.
5. Under-Cabinet LED Strip Lights — Instant Kitchen Upgrade
Under-cabinet lighting is one of those things that feels like a luxury until you have it — then you can’t imagine living without it. It eliminates shadows on the countertop, makes the kitchen feel larger, and adds a layer of ambient light that makes the whole space feel more modern.
The plug-in LED strip versions require zero wiring — you literally stick them under the cabinet and plug them into an outlet inside the cabinet. Hardwired versions look cleaner but require an electrician.
What to look for:
- Color temperature matching your overhead lights (2700K–3000K for warm kitchens)
- Dimmable — many come with a remote or app control
- CRI of 90+ for accurate food colors (important if you actually cook)
Top pick: Brilliant Evolution wireless LED lights are the go-to plug-in option — no wiring, peel-and-stick, remote controlled, and consistently well reviewed.
Be sure to match the color temperature to the one used throughout your house.
6. Smart Bulbs for the Entry — Big Impact, Zero Wiring
The entry level of a split-level is often dark and uninviting. If there’s a ceiling fixture at the front door or in the entry hallway, swapping in a smart bulb is the easiest upgrade on this list — screw it in, connect to your WiFi, done.
Smart bulbs let you set schedules (lights on at dusk automatically), adjust color temperature throughout the day, and control everything from your phone. The practical effect: your entry always has welcoming light when you come home, even when you forgot to leave a light on.
Top pick: Kasa Smart Bulbs by TP-Link are the best value smart bulb on the market — no hub required, Alexa and Google compatible, and about $10 per bulb in a multipack.
These have the easiest-to-understand app and interface that ive seen.
7. Exterior Coach Lights — Curb Appeal After Dark
Most split-levels have at least one exterior wall sconce flanking the garage or front door. Replacing an original brass or chrome fixture with a modern matte black coach light is a 20-minute swap that visibly upgrades your curb appeal from the street.
This is one of the most underrated exterior upgrades because it has impact day AND night — the fixture itself looks better during the day, and the light it casts improves the look of your entry after dark.
What to look for:
- Wet-rated for exterior use
- Finish that coordinates with your door hardware and house numbers
- LED compatible or integrated LED
Top pick: The Leonlite matte black exterior sconce is a perennial bestseller — clean lines, durable construction, and a price point that makes doing a matching pair easy on the budget.
Once again, be sure to match the temperature of any other exterior lights.
Quick Reference: Budget Lighting Upgrade Costs
| Upgrade | Approx. Cost | DIY Friendly? | Impact Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recessed retrofit kits | $15–$25 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Dimmer switches | $15–$25 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Flush mount replacement | $30–$80 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Pendant lights | $40–$150 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Under cabinet strips | $30–$60 | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Smart bulbs | $8–$15 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Exterior coach lights | $40–$100 each | ✅ Yes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Where to Start
If you’re going to do one thing from this list today, do the dimmer switches. It’s a $15 investment, a 15-minute install, and the impact on daily livability is immediate. From there, work your way through the flush mounts room by room — your split-level will feel like a different house by the time you’re done.
Lighting is the one renovation category where you don’t need to save up, clear a weekend, or watch a dozen YouTube videos. You just buy the thing and do it. Start there.
Which lighting upgrade made the biggest difference in your home? Drop it in the comments — I’m always looking for new ideas to try.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I’d buy myself.
Max
Max Lowrie, founder of MySplitLevel.com® and author of The Live In Flip© bought his first split level house in 2016. During a lengthy renovation, Max noticed that there was little useful content online specific to split-level homes. Max now devotes his time to share his knowledge hoping to help homeowners avoid unnecessary mistakes, and provide a blue print for split-level owners nationwide.
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