If you're having a room professionally painted, you probably love the new look. But creating a new look in the room isn't just about painting the walls. Look up to see if your chrome light fixture needs to be painted as well. If so, this guide provides the steps required to add a shiny new coat of paint to the fixture so that when the professionals are done painting the room, the new look is complete.

Step 1: Collect Your Materials

Begin the process of painting your chrome light fixture by gathering the following tools and supplies:

• non-contact circuit tester
• ladder
• screw driver
• plastic sandwich bag
• putty knife or utility knife
• fine-coarse sandpaper
• soft cloth
• toothbrush
• spray metal primer
• spray paint (chrome)
• newspaper

Step 2: Set Up Your Work Station

Choose a well-ventilated area of your home to set up as your work area. Lay down a couple layers of newspaper on a flat surface in the area.

Step 3: Turn Off the Power

Locate the circuit for the light in the circuit breaker box and turn it off.

Step 4: Remove the Bulbs and Light Fixture

Set the ladder up under the light fixture. Grab the screwdriver, climb the ladder, remove the light bulbs and remove the screws holding the fixture in place. Place the screws in the plastic sandwich bag so you don't lose them.

Follow the directions for the non-contact circuit tester to check that there is no electricity flowing to the light.

Step 5: Remove Peeling Paint

Remove peeling paint on the fixture by scraping it off with the putty knife.

Step 6: Sand and Clean the Fixture

Sand the entire surface of the fixture with the sandpaper. Then wipe it off with the soft cloth.

Gather the newspaper with the paint debris and throw it away. Lay down a couple new layers of newspaper.

Step 7: Prime the Fixture

Shake the can of spray primer several times and then spay the entire surface of the fixture. Allow the primer to dry before painting.

Step 8: Paint the Fixture

When the primer is dry, shake the chrome spray paint several times and then spray the paint on the fixture. Let this dry and then apply another coat if you want a darker color. Allow the second coat to dry.

Step 9: Replace the Fixture

Climb on the ladder and replace the light fixture by attaching the screws. Then insert the light bulbs.

If you want a different color than chrome, simply choose a different paint color. The steps are the same no matter what color you go with. Ask your painting contractor for help should the color not look right, or if you have any problems with these steps.