Replacing old lighting fixtures in any room can dramatically change its look and feel. If you want to add warmth and sophistication to a particular room, try installing ceiling pendants. This very easy home improvement project can be done by any novice, and the final outcome will surely impress your guests as ceiling pendant lights never fail to add style and elegance into any space.
Ceiling pendants are decorative and will add style into any interior décor, while at the same time providing sufficient task lighting. They are perfect lighting fixtures over a bar top, kitchen island, dining table, or at the main entrance of your home. They may even be used as side lights for your bathroom vanity to make sure that you have enough illumination when you are in front of the mirror.
Depending on the style of the lighting fixture itself and the size of the space that you are lighting, a pendant light may be installed as a single fixture or in twos or threes. Ceiling pendant lighting installation is quite easy as long as you have all the tools you need. In fact, this project can take just up to an hour long following these 7 easy steps.
What You Will Need:
Pendant Lights
Junction Box
Drywall saw
Screw driver
Ceiling Pendant Installation
Step 1: Turn off the main power.
Before you begin with this project, turn off the main power at the circuit breaker box. This is usually located in the garage or basement.
Step 2: Uninstall the old lighting fixture.
Remove the existing light fixture where you intend to install your ceiling pendant. Remove the bulbs then the light fixture by unscrewing the hardware from the ceiling.
Step 3: Remove the old wiring.
Detach all the wires of the existing light fixture from the ceiling and remove the entire fixture.
Step 4: Insert the new junction box in the ceiling.
Install a new junction box into the spot where you want the new pendant lighting to be mounted. Cut a hole into the dry wall using a drywall saw. Make sure that the hole is large enough for the junction box to fit in. Typically, the dimensions of a junction box are 2 inches by 4 inches.
Step 5: Insert the new lighting fixture’s wiring into the junction box.
Pull all of the electrical wiring through the new junction box. Use a mounting bracket to ensure that the pendant light will be tightly hung on the ceiling and avoid any risk of falling. A mounting bracket is usually included in most pendant light kits. Securely attach this to the junction box using a combination of bolts and screws.
Step 6: Match the wires together.
Wire the new ceiling pendant to the junction box and the mounting bracket. Match the wires together – green to green or copper, black to black, and white to white. Use a wire nut to attach each wire to its matching wire.
Step 7: Secure your new ceiling pendant into the ceiling.
After all the wires have been attached to their corresponding matches, hide the wires by pushing them up into the junction box. Attach the canopy onto the mounting bracket using the bolts or screws and nuts which are usually included in your pendant light kit. Make sure that the lighting fixture is securely fastened before you turn the main power back on at the circuit breaker.
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By Joan Silver
Michelle Rubio is a freelance writer whose interest in interior decor has led her to Capitol Lighting. As lighting fixtures are one of the most important factors in setting the ambiance for any space within the home, Michelle has found that Capitol Lighting is a great resource for a diverse array of lighting fixtures that can certainly add elegance and warmth in your home.