Jenn Todryk’s Budget-Friendly Kitchen Lighting Trick Is So Clever

When the temperatures start dropping, it’s time to decorate your space for cozy season. You know the drill: Swap linen sheets for flannel ones, bring out extra-fluffy towels, toss a few knit pillows and throws onto the sofa. But how can you make your kitchen, with hard surfaces and sometimes stark lighting, more warm and fuzzy? Jenn Todryk, host of HGTV’s No Demo Reno, has a special trick she shared with us in a recent episode — and it takes less than a minute to pull off.

Grab that lamp that you were planning to donate (or pick up one at the thrift store), and snip off the cord. Yep, cut it off. Don’t worry, Jenn always has a plan! The last thing you want to see on your kitchen counter is a long cord trailing out of the back of a lamp to reach an outlet. Instead, replace the bulb with a battery-powered puck light you can turn on and off — some even come with a remote control. Balance it on top of the socket where the bulb is supposed to go or stick some painter’s tape on the bottom of the puck to keep it in place. The soft light of the lamp will instantly give your kitchen fall-time feels.

“What was about to be trash is now a beautiful little kitchen lamp for you and you don’t have to mess with any of the cords hanging out the back,” says Jenn. “It’s something subtle and cozy that brings the living room into the kitchen.”

This trick doesn’t have to be limited to your cook space. Try it in any spot where hardwiring or plugging-in a lamp isn't an option — like bedside tables in a rental or sconces along a hallway.

Follow Jenn on Instagram at @theramblingredhead. To discover more clever decorating ideas from Jenn, watch No Demo Reno Season 3 Thursday nights at 9|8c and streaming on Max.