Photos: Wirecutter Staff, Tulip Shades

Boob lights, or those rounded, center-tipped ceiling fixtures found in many homes, can be a bit harsh on the eyes—in more ways than one. Usually, the best thing to do is just swap the fixture out. But for renters who aren’t allowed to fiddle with the wiring, some companies are proposing an easy fix: Simply hide it with a shade.

After months of seeing Tulip’s trendy cotton-canvas overhead-light shades all over our feeds, we enlisted three staffers to test them out in their own homes. The verdict? They’re … fine.

A quick fix if you loathe your ceiling light fixture→

We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›

Consider a floor lamp instead Our recommendations are versatile, durable, and beautiful→

If you’re planning to paint, you need this tool It can open cans, scrape old plaster, and even crack open a beer→

Cozy up your space with an area rug Here are our favorites→

Photo: Sarah Kobos

We’ve spent hundreds of hours researching, testing, and, of course, living with a number of small-space solutions. These are the things we recommend for anyone looking to maximize every square inch, from hooks that declutter entryways, to graceful-yet-sturdy bike storage, to a space-saving dish rack.

Small space? No problem→

Photo: Joshua Lyon

Here’s Pyke, senior staff writer Joshua Lyon’s cat, hard at work testing lamps. Pyke agrees with us: This one is a real winner.

Another hack for small spaces: Under-couch storage.

You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.

Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance. You received this email because you signed up for The Recommendation from The New York Times. To stop receiving The Recommendation, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The TimesGet The New York Times app

Connect with us on:

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018