lighting for Closet illumination is just too useful to be overlooked. Many closets are either gloomy or feature an exposed incandescent bulb placed into a surface-mounted fixture that is controlled by a pull-chain. While the first circumstance is inconvenient, the second is potentially dangerous. Clothing and other combustible objects tend to accumulate in closets, and incandescent bulbs, especially halogen lights, get extremely hot. Compact fluorescent lights consume significantly less energy than regular incandescent and halogen bulbs, allowing them to reach closer to stored things without posing a fire threat.

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First and foremost, there is safety.

Lighting in closets is strictly regulated by building laws, yet many older homes do not exceed these minimum requirements. The main cause is standard incandescent bulbs, especially when they are exposed. In a closet, all recessed and surface-mounted incandescent light fixtures must be completely contained by a fixture housing with a cover. They are not permitted to be partially enclosed. Install a new fixture if you can’t find a glass globe or other form of cover for your closet light.

All closet storage areas must be at least 6 inches away from a recessed fixture with an incandescent or LED bulb. Fixtures with incandescent or LED bulbs that are surface-mounted must be at least 12 inches away from storage spaces. Fixtures with compact fluorescent (CFL) bulbs that are surface-mounted must be at least 6 inches away from storage spaces.

Halogen Lighting Is Harmful to Closets

Halogen lighting is a type of incandescent lighting that uses a gas to provide more light. This enables small halogen bulbs or fixtures to emit a significant amount of light. The bulbs and fixtures, on the other hand, get extremely hot, making them unsuitable for use in small, confined places or regions where they might come into touch with other materials. Designers prefer halogen lights because they can be made very small and hence ornamental, but you can get the same decorative effect with energy-efficient (and considerably less hot) LED lights in compact fixtures.

Make the switch to fluorescent lighting.

While many CFL bulbs have failed to live up to their claims for long life (and have been replaced by longer-lasting and more energy-efficient LED lights), fluorescent is still the best option for closet lighting because it is the coolest-running light and is relatively energy-efficient. There’s no need to replace a normal surface-mounted or recessed light fixture in your closet if you want to switch to fluorescent lighting. Simply replace the incandescent bulb with a CFL bulb that produces a comparable amount of light. If the fixture has a dimmer switch (which most closet lights don’t), choose a “dimmable” CFL bulb that will function with the dimmer.

Create Your Own

You can always add a battery-powered light fixture in your closet if you don’t have one. Many products can be simply screwed or adhered to a surface. Some types have a touch-sensitive light cover that can be turned on and off, while others have a switch or wire. There are also motion-activated lights available. Because they don’t provide much light, battery-powered closet lights are best for small closets. However, because they are so cheap and simple to install, you could easily put one on each side of the closet. You will save money by not having to

buy as many replacement batteries if you have a light that automatically turns off after a short amount of time.

According to the National Electrical Code (NEC) and most municipal building standards, surface-mounted light fixtures can only be installed on the closet ceiling or on the wall above the closet door. They are not permitted to be put on any other surfaces.

Install a New Hard-Wired Light Fixture

A fixture connected to an electrical circuit will provide the greatest closet lighting. If there is an attic above the closet, where an electrician can readily plug into an existing circuit, this is a much easier choice. For greatest convenience, install a fluorescent lamp and then run a switch to the outside of the closet. When the light is turned on, a switch that stays lit will remind you to turn it off when the door is closed.