LED Closet Lighting
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 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
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. 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 in closets, basements, laundry rooms, work spaces and other utility rooms around the home.
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.
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.
