When it comes to lighting design, closets are one of the most overlooked areas in the home. Regardless of the size of your closet, proper closet lighting is important not only for aesthetic reasons, but because these areas also have their own set of safety requirements. Whether you’re building a brand new closet space or updating an existing one, these tips should help ease the stress of shopping for lighting.
Note Important Safety Codes
The National Electric Code (NEC), which is published every three years by the National Fire Protection Association, sets the rules and guidelines that apply to building regulations in most commercial and residential spaces, including closets and other storage areas. In the 2008 edition of the code, LED fixtures were allowed for the first time. Since then, modern homes have slowly integrated over to LED technology. However, people still utilize a pull chain and bare bulb method in their storage spaces, which can pose a serious fire hazard. Even if your closets and existing fixtures are old, it’s a good idea to get updated with the current requirements.
While light fixtures are not actually mandatory in standard closets, installing them is considered best practice by most builders and electricians, and can definitely add to the resale value of your home. Although the code is not precise in its definition of walk-in closets, the most common rule of thumb is to have a ceiling light fixture controlled by a wall switch located near the entrance to any closet larger than 50 square feet. If your space is without a switch, don’t fret – you still have many options for a safe upgrade that doesn’t require rewiring.
Keep in mind that for flush mounted closet lighting, there must be a minimum distance of 12 inches between the fixture and any items being stored. For recessed lighting, the distance must be at least 6 inches. This way, any heat output from lamps will be far enough away from flammable items like clothing. With that said, all bulbs must be fully enclosed inside a globe or other housing. Exposed or partially exposed lamps (bulbs) are no longer an acceptable method of lighting in closets or other storage areas. We also recommend avoiding light sources that give off excess heat by sticking with LEDs.
Choose LED
LED lamps and fixtures are the most energy efficient option and they’ll last the longest. You won’t have to worry about maintenance or the hassle of getting up high to change bulbs, and they’ll give you the coolness required to ensure your application is to code. People are often hesitant of LED technology due to the higher initial cost, however when you consider the many advantages, it becomes clear that it is the smarter choice.
When it comes to closet lighting, you don’t need to spend a fortune. At PROLIGHTING, we have a selection of affordable small space luminaires that can get the job done – starting at around $20. In general, flush mounts and recessed fixtures are widely used in closet areas because they take up very little space. Flush mounts are a great choice because they’re available in a variety of styles, and they can be easily installed.
A simple surface mount closet fixture is made to fit just about anywhere and is ideal for replacing old incandescent or CFL fixtures in closets, basements, laundry rooms, workspaces and other utility rooms around the home. For even more efficiency, check out our Lotus 6-inch LED Surface Mount Disk Light with Motion Sensing. It features convenient automatic on/off functionality that saves additional energy.
Consider Color Temperature
When shopping for LED fixtures or bulbs, pay close attention to the color temperature that’s listed. We suggest a color temperature between 3000 and 4000 Kelvins (K) that produces a clean white light well-suited for most closet applications. Anything cooler than 4000K will be too harsh and unflattering, especially if your closet space doubles as a dressing room and utilizes mirrors. Anything warmer than 3000K might appear too yellow.
For added flexibility, you could go with a CCT tunable style, like our RAB LED Edge-Lit Wafer Downlights or Sylvania LED Slim Microdisks. These fixtures let you customize your application by selecting between five color temperatures – 2700K to 5000K. If you’re unsure about color temperature, you can refer to our blog post for more information about choosing the right one.
Take It Up a Notch
As we mentioned, closet lighting doesn’t need to be expensive. In fact, choosing to go with affordable LED fixtures will allow you to shift your attention and budget to the higher-impact spaces of your home. On the other hand, if you are looking to spend a bit more or your application is a large walk-in with custom built-ins and shelving, then you have even more options for quality LED lighting.
You might consider LED tape, puck lights, or even light bars depending on the scope of your project. Puck lights and other under cabinet-type fixtures are easy to install and have the ability to transform your closet into a showpiece. LED tape lighting can provide endless customizations because they’re thin and flexible enough to be hidden inside recessed spaces, under shelves, around corners, and even along clothing rods.
When in doubt, our team of certified lighting specialists at PROLIGHTING are here to help you select the right lighting fixtures for your closet – whether it be a simple flush mount or more functional lighting like LED recessed or tape. You can call to speak with a PRO, or live chat us during business hours for an even faster response. Need to light a large application? We can work with you on a closet lighting layout and quote so that you can find the products you need and stay in budget.
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