Adding a Light to a Closet

[mikeb27]

House was built 3 years ago, didn't realize at the time we were getting no lights in our kids closets. Working on my son's closet this weekend, painting and upgrading the closet organizer, and realized how dark it is. I want to add a LED can light to the middle of the closet. My thinking is to use the existing double switch by the door (one powers ceiling fan and the other a switched outlet on the side of the bed), and replace one of the single toggle switches with dual switch. New dual switch, 14/2 romex up wall to attic, over to new can light in the closet. Will this work? Any other better method?

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton...ole-Dual-Switch-White-R62-05634-0WS/100356887

 

[Norcal]

Use a recessed LED can, where a light in a closet can be placed is proscribed by the NEC. Your location will not comply.

 

[TRWham]

For a shallow closet where it is not possible to meet the clearance requirements of Article 410 in the ceiling, a flush mount fixture above the door will usually work.

 

[bad_idea]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L56Q1ZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use these. I have about 10 of them around the house now and love them. Can't beat the price and they are wicked simple to install. Buy the correct size hole saw and you can slap them in anywhere, they just clip to the drywall. I've put them in all of the closets, hallways, and in the kitchen.

I put one in the hall closet under the stairs. There was already an existing light in the hallway. I tapped into the hall light and ran over to the new light in the closet. When you turn on the hall light, the closet light comes on. These lights draw so little power, who cares if they are on whenever the hall light is on? Also, you won't forget to shut it off as the hall light will still be on.

 

[FTG-05]

Use a recessed LED can, where a light in a closet can be placed is proscribed by the NEC. Your location will not comply.

For a shallow closet where it is not possible to meet the clearance requirements of Article 410 in the ceiling, a flush mount fixture above the door will usually work.

Can you say more about what those requirements are? I have the same problem as the OP for one of my closets.

Thanks,

 

[CitadelBlue]

My bride mentioned to me that we needed to add a light to our semi walk-in closet in our guest room. Found these motion sensor lights on Amazon. We only needed 1 but they come 2 in a pack. An easy install if there is already a fixture in the closet (its just a replacement), but still an easy install by tapping power in the attic(ie light or attic fan).
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0892BCN33/?tag=atomicindus08-20 ol

 

[mikeb27]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07L56Q1ZC/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Use these. I have about 10 of them around the house now and love them. Can't beat the price and they are wicked simple to install. Buy the correct size hole saw and you can slap them in anywhere, they just clip to the drywall. I've put them in all of the closets, hallways, and in the kitchen.

I put one in the hall closet under the stairs. There was already an existing light in the hallway. I tapped into the hall light and ran over to the new light in the closet. When you turn on the hall light, the closet light comes on. These lights draw so little power, who cares if they are on whenever the hall light is on? Also, you won't forget to shut it off as the hall light will still be on.

Thank you for the recommendation. Going to order these. Have 3 locations (closets) to add a light to, can always add one to our entry hall closet, or keep the 4th as a spare. Thanks again!

 

[TRWham]

Can you say more about what those requirements are? I have the same problem as the OP for one of my closets.

Thanks,

The NFPA offers free on-line access (with registration) to the code (aka NFPA 70). You will find a diagram in Article 410 that shows the area where lights are allowed.

https://www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/all-codes-and-standards/list-of-codes-and-standards/detail?code=70

 

[exranger06]

Can you say more about what those requirements are? I have the same problem as the OP for one of my closets.

Thanks,

The diagram below shows the "storage space" of a closet, and a description of it. You're not allowed to install a light fixture in the storage space. If the entire closet is smaller than the dimensions listed in the diagram, then you cannot install a light fixture in the closet at all.

Here are the types of fixtures permitted in a closet, and the minimum distance from the fixture to the storage space. Again, if the closet is so small that there is not enough clearance between the fixture and the storage space, you cannot install a fixture in the closet.

 

[bad_idea]

Thank you for the recommendation. Going to order these. Have 3 locations (closets) to add a light to, can always add one to our entry hall closet, or keep the 4th as a spare. Thanks again!

They have different quantities available and the price drops per piece as you order more. I bought a 12 pack last January and was surprised I found 12 places to install them. I then ended up ordering 4 more in November.

 

[Chukster]

Among all this other help here, consider putting in 2 fixtures. It always ***** to be looking for something, and have a shadow from your own big fat head.

 

[nadogail]

I have used Brite Stick surface mounted fixtures in the past, going forward as they come up for replacement I will look for under cabinet fixtures.

 

[FTG-05]

The diagram below shows the "storage space" of a closet, and a description of it. You're not allowed to install a light fixture in the storage space. If the entire closet is smaller than the dimensions listed in the diagram, then you cannot install a light fixture in the closet at all.

Here are the types of fixtures permitted in a closet, and the minimum distance from the fixture to the storage space. Again, if the closet is so small that there is not enough clearance between the fixture and the storage space, you cannot install a fixture in the closet.

Ok thank you. So basically it sounds like a distance to combustibles issue?

 

[75gmck25]

If I read that diagram and description correctly, the closet storage space is a stepped block that extends 24" out from each wall up to six feet, and then above six feet it extends to 12" from each wall.

Assuming a closet is about 24" deep and 36" wide, it seems like a 4" recessed LED fixture that is on the ceiling right in front of the door would be farther than 12" out from the back and side walls, and therefore acceptable.

Bruce

 

[WindBurnt116]

Hey guys! I find myself browsing on here often and finally signed up. This closet light I added may not be applicable to the authors original idea, but here it is. Helped some folks finish their basement awhile back. Their carpenter was good, but was rather literal when it came to design, knowing the homeowners aren’t incredibly mechanically/construction minded. Their basement laundry room needed a light, well the carpenter built full depth shelving all the way up. A can light (original plan) would effectively only illuminate the top shelf, which is above eye level for a 6’ guy. I had a rope light kit laying around and decided to wire the light switch to an outlet (because the rope light is plug and play) and run the light looped under the bottom shelf and around the inside of the door jamb. Hopefully I can get this pic posted.