Converting wall outlet to power ceiling light?

VEIK

Here is what I have:

Duplex wall outlet, controlled by the wall switch, just above it.
Its located behind a living room couch, and is never used (its blocked by the furniture).

I am in the process of installing ceiling light from Ikea in this room (no previous ceiling light), and instead of running the cable back to garage (to the panel) and installing additional switch, I was wondering if I can rewire the outlet to power the ceiling light instead? It would require less cable too.

Is this a good idea? I would basically remove the wall outlet all together.

Thanks

joed

You need to rewire the wall receptacle(leave it there) and run you new cable from the existing switch to the fixture. Use the existing switch to control the new fixture.
Witht he power off open the switch and receptacle. Tell us what you have and we can tell you what to change.

beer_geek

You don't want to remove the receptacle. Even though you don't use it now, you may in the future. The next homeowner may want to use it as well. Furthermore, it would probably end up being a code violation because you'd end up with receptacles too far apart.

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jimmy21

ya, there is no reason to remove the receptacle. its already there