DIY Home Improvement Forum banner

Installing a ceiling light fixture?

17K views 7 replies 6 participants last post by  JOAT 
#1 ·
I have a room that does not have an electrical box in the ceiling where a light could be installed. The switch on the wall turns an outlet on/off, where we have a lamp plugged. I need more light in the room since it has 9' ceilings.

I was thinking of installing a simple, lightweight fixture into the ceiling and running the cord across the ceiling and down the corner to the outlet that is wired to the switch. I saw at a hardware store there is plastic sheathing that will adhere to the ceiling/wall surface that can hide wires for a better appearance. I realize there will be some visual evidence of the wiring, however better than nothing.

Does anyone have any ideas for a weekender do-it-yourself guy on adding more light???

The place is only 10 years old and not sure why there is not conduit or junction boxes even installed under the drywall to wire in a light down the road.
 
#2 ·
its not that hard to install a light mount with the power hidden like normal. you may be able to find an electrician to do it " on the side" on a saturday with help from you. if you have attic access that makes the job easier. i always thought those plactic wire runners were tacky. otherwise you could simply hang a light in the center of the room that hangs down by a chain and run the chain and cord across the ceiling by plant hangers and down the wall and plug it in the wall socket.
 
#4 ·
THEBIGPUNN said:
its not that hard to install a light mount with the power hidden like normal. you may be able to find an electrician to do it " on the side" on a saturday with help from you. if you have attic access that makes the job easier. i always thought those plactic wire runners were tacky. otherwise you could simply hang a light in the center of the room that hangs down by a chain and run the chain and cord across the ceiling by plant hangers and down the wall and plug it in the wall socket.
Unfortunately I don't have attic access so I can't get through the ceiling. .
 
#7 ·
how to run the light

1. use a dry wall saw to cut a 8 inch square about 6 inchs above the light switch.
2. cut another 8 inch hole about 2 inchs below the ceiling right above the light switch,
3. cut another 8 inch hole on the ceiling right above the top wall hole.

4 locate the center of the room, (buy a ceiling mounting bar kit. Get one that you can hang a fan off of. it is made better) use the box from the kit to mark the center of the room, cut the around the hole.

now take your wire and feed it through the hole over by the light swithc and run it up to the second hole. take a drill with a long bit and at least a 1/2 bit and drill straight up through the header. feed the wire through the header, you should be able to use both hands to feed it through and pull it through.

Now with a "electrical fish tape feed the tape through the center of the room hole. and use your hand and reach through the ceiling hole by the light swith take the wire and fasten it to the tape. (use electrical tape so it does not fall off)

now pull the wire through the center hole.

ok now feed the wire through the wiring box. now feed the box and mounting bracket through the hole and fasten it per the instructions on the box,

After you have the wire ran make sure you hook up the electrical corectly.
If you don't know how just ask we can tell you how to do that
If you don't know how to patch drywall just ask,
Drywall patching is very easy.

Earl
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top