[stripedbass]

I have a recessed light above my toilet which I really like. I want to install the same light in my walk-in shower. However, I made this decision after I had first planned on installing another, bigger light in my shower. This means that the hole in the shower ceiling is bigger than the light I now want to install.

My question is what is the best way to solve this problem?

The wiring above the ceiling is new and ready to go.

I was thinking of simply cutting out a hole in the shower ceiling that is like 8" by 8". Then patch this hole with a piece of sheetrock and some sheetrock screws. After the light is installed I was going to have a plasterer come over and plaster over the patch and covert my entire bathroom ceiling from textured to smooth (when I bought my condo, the ceiling in the bathroom was textured which I hate. I prefer the look of smooth ceilings).

I'm totally clueless about how my recessed light should be installed, given my situation. I presume (though I could be wrong) that I need to cut out the 8" by 8" area in the shower ceiling, then connect the wiring above the ceiling to my light, then install the patch and cut out a round hole for the light can and trim? Or should I install the patch then cut out a hole for the light? But if I do this will I be able to install all the parts of the light, especially the ones that go above the ceiling?

If you know the right way to do this, please let me know!

I'm attaching three photos: 1) The hole in the walk-in shower that I need replaced with a smaller hole. 2) The light that is to be installed. 3) The light above the toilet (the light I'm trying to install in the shower is identical to this one that is above my toilet).

I'll really appreciate any feedback I get.

Thanks.

 

[mikegp]

Do you really care enough about the lights matching to go through all of the extra work? I think I would just go with a different light or change the light above the toilet to the larger light so they match, but much less work.

 

[stripedbass]

mikegp,

Thanks for trying to help me.

I really appreciate your trying to help me. You're a good example of why this forum is a great place.

The reason why I posted this thread is that my electrician had basically disappeared on me. I kept calling him and he would say that he'll come and install the shower light and not show up. I needed to get this light installed since it was holding up a number of renovations that I've planned.

Well, today I surprisingly got a call from my electrician! He asked whether I was home or at work. It just so happened that I was off from work today. He said he would be over in an hour.

He came and suggested we cut a new hole a few inches from the old hole. He then installed the light. Then he cut a piece of wood and screwed it into the wood near the old hole. Then he cut out a round piece of sheetrock that was almost the size of the hole. He screwed this piece on then applied joint compound over it so that it blended in with the ceiling.

I'm now going to call my plasterer so that he can come and plaster over the textured ceiling and make it smooth. The ceiling has these half circle patterns all over it. My plasterer said that he can plaster over the whole ceiling and give it a smooth appearance. This would match all my other ceilings which are smooth.

Once again, thank you very much for trying to help me.

 

[stripedbass]

If you notice, from the photo below, I have a plate in my bathroom that covers a junction box. This is the box for the old light fixture that I removed. The wires in the box run to the basement. But I'm on the top floor of a condo building. Securing the wires with nuts and placing a plate, seemed a reasonable solution.

After I redid my bathroom, having the old light fixture in the spot was not practical, especially with a walk-in shower as opposed to a tub which is what I had before.

I'm about to have my ceiling re-plastered so that it goes from textured to smooth. I understand that one cannot cover up such a plate so I presume my plasterer will have to plaster around the plate? it may not look ideal on the ceiling from an aesthetic point of view, unless someone out there has a better solution.

 

[sparky48]

Although it would still be visible, Google Mulberry #40430 which is a 5" flat blank up fixture plate. You may find one on eBay or call around in your area to some Electrical Wholesale houses and see if they carry Mulberry products.

 

[stripedbass]

sparky48,

Thanks for your suggestion! I googled the plate you mentioned and it's available locally. It looks much better than what I have (see a close-up of my current plate below). I got this plate from Home Depot. And I got it because it's the exact same shape as the junction box.

I would rather get the one you suggested, if the screw holes line up with the junction box. I'll see.

Thanks.

 

[stripedbass]

sparky48,

Just want to thank you again for your tip. I bought the plate you suggested yesterday. And it fit like a glove in terms of the screws!

Below are before and after photos.