Adding Recessed Lights To My Walk-In Closet (Plus, My Workaround For My Phobia)
I made quite a bit of progress yesterday on adding the additional lighting to my walk-in closet, but I didn’t get it finished because I ran into a pretty big problem and had to find a workaround for it. Until now, this room has only had one light in the ceiling, and that was the light attached to the ceiling fan. I don’t want a ceiling fan in this closet, so the plan was to remove the fan and replace it with a chandelier and then add several recessed lights to give additional lighting to the room.
Here’s the one single light on the ceiling fan that I’ve been working with until now…
Not only is the lighting insufficient, but it’s also a yellow light, so it makes the cabinet a wallpaper colors look dingy. I can’t stand yellow lighting for that very reason. I love color, and I don’t like my colors to look washed out, so I prefer white lighting.
If you want to see how different lighting affects colors, you can see this post that I wrote a while back when I switched all of my ceiling lights over to daylight lighting: Why I Spent $507 On All New Light Bulbs (GE Reveal vs. GE Refresh, Warm White vs. Daylight, 2700K vs 5000K)
My workday started off smoothly. I had all of the holes cut for the lights by lunchtime.
This was pretty easy to do with this Mikwaukee adjustable hole cutter (affiliate link). It adjusts to cut holes from 2″ to 7″, and it comes with this plastic shield that catches the dust as you cut.
It definitely made the process faster and easier, but if I’m being honest, I’d rate it 4 out of 5 stars. While the plastic shield caught about 95% of the dust, it definitely didn’t catch all of it.
Also, these blades seemed to dull fairly quickly. I was able to cut all of the holes I needed, but after about four holes, the cuts seemed to start getting rougher and rougher with each additional hole. And the blades kept coming loose, so I’d have to use an Allen wrench to tighten the blades after I cut each hole.
I think the tool could use some improvement, but it did the job. And it did it much faster and easier than any other tool or process I’ve used in the past to cut holes for lights.
I ended up cutting holes for two lights on each side by the cabinets, and one hole over each appliance.
I had someone ask me why I didn’t plan on adding three lights to each side in the cabinet area. The reason is because of this air conditioner vent on the left side which is right where I would need to put a light if I had added three to each side. And I did not want to move a vent.
But I did add one additional light centered on the doorway. So the closet cabinet area will have five additional lights plus the center chandelier when all is said and done. That will be plenty of light.
Things were going so smoothly at this point that I expected to break for lunch, and then come back and take about 15 minutes to climb up into the attic and run the wiring from each hole to the next. In theory, this step should have been incredibly simple. What I hadn’t realized is that all of the area from the pink line to the window wall was in that area that juts out from the front of the house, and the roof over that area is incredibly low.
I had three wires that I needed to add in that section, but once I got up into the attic, I realized that it wasn’t going to be as easy as I thought. In fact, it took me a while to even find those two holes over the washer and dryer. I couldn’t even see them until I was looking at that area head on. And then I realized that in order to get to them, I’d have to lie on my stomach, shimmy into that area under the super low roof about 10 feet, hoping that I could get all the way to the end while dragging three wires in my hand, and then shimmying back without being able to turn around. And, of course, I’d have to do all of that without putting a foot or knee through the drywall.
Not only did I question the practicality of that and my ability to do it, but in order to do that, I also had to deal with my phobia of enclosed spaces. I sat there in the more open space of the attic staring at that low area for a good five minutes trying to calm myself and make myself do it. But the longer I was up there staring at that area, the more panicked I felt. Mentally, I was going in the opposite direction than I needed to go in order to get this done. By the time I made myself get out of the attic, I felt like I was on the verge of a full-blown panic attack. My fear of small, enclosed spaces is why I’ve never even once crawled under our house. I won’t ever go under there.
I remember years ago when Matt and I used to watch the show Fear Factor. I loved watching people do all of those crazy challenges like eating bugs, putting their heads in clear acrylic boxes that were filled with bugs, etc. But any time a challenge involved a small, enclosed space, I had a hard time watching. And if any challenge included a small, enclosed space with the added element of water, that was a hard no for me. Those would send me into a full-on panic. During those challenges, Matt would always look at me, as I buried my face in my hands, and ask, “You okay? You gonna make it?” He has always made fun of me and joked that I’m the only person he knows who could drown while watching a TV show and without a single drop of water around me. 😀
And while I wasn’t dealing with any water in this situation, I was dealing with other factors that I just couldn’t get past in my mind. Like, what if I got stuck in there, panicking so much that I couldn’t move? Can you imagine me having to call 911 and explaining the situation to them? “I’m stuck in my attic, panicking, and I need someone to come rescue me!” 😀 I just couldn’t do it.
So I ended up reassessing the situation to figure out how to get the wires from hole to hole, around and above all of the ceiling joists and other framing. I finally ended up having to cut three additional holes that will have to be patched.
The good news is that patching those holes will be pretty simple because I have all of these perfect little circles of drywall that I can use to fill them.
Anyway, these are the lights that I’m going to use. They’re not technically recessed lights. They sit flush to the ceiling.
And since they’re only 1/2-inch thick, and they’re LED so they don’t get hot, you can put them virtually anywhere, even directly under a ceiling joist.
This is the brand I use. They have five different temperature settings, and I always set mine to the 5000K (daylight) setting.
So by the time I got all of that done, I was pretty much wiped out both physically and mentally. You can see the holes that need to be patched here.
Also, by the time I got all of that done, I almost talked myself into leaving the center light right where it is. The challenge here is that the wire that comes from the switch is too short to move that junction box back six inches.
I tried to make myself be okay with it, but about an hour later, after my nerves had calmed a bit, I decided that I’m just not okay with it. You can see how off-center it is with the center sections on the side walls.
So I went ahead and removed the junction box. I thought that would be pretty simple, but it was a bit of a challenge getting it off since it had these side areas that jut out with the nails.
I mangled the drywall a bit getting those out of there.
Fortunately, I’ll be able to cut a six-inch hole and then use one of the circles of drywall that I have to patch that area.
And I’ll need to run a new wire from the switch to this center junction box, which I hadn’t planned on having to do.
So in the end, I’ll have four holes that I need to patched.
But patching four holes in drywall is a small price to pay for avoiding getting stuck on my belly in my attic in a full-blown panic as the low roof closes in on me and having to call 911 to rescue me. 😀
It’s not how I had hoped this project would go, but at least the wires are in place. And I should have all of the lighting installed by the end of the day. It’ll be nice to see what this room looks like with proper lighting.
Update: The lights are installed! You can see the rest of this lighting installation here: My Walk-In Closet Has New Lighting! (Plus, How To Patch Holes In Drywall)
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Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
The adjustable hole saw is a nice concept, but think better to buy a large 4″ or 6″ hole saw that doesn’t dull. Can get as a set with the shield. I’ve used mine many times and never dulls.
While I was reading the blog post, I kept thinking, “Why doesn’t she get a basic 6″ hole saw?” It’s taken me 76 yrs to finally get it thru my head that “one trick ponies” usually do a better job than something with a bunch of different parts/pieces. Glad I’m not the only one who thinks in those terms. I actually used one of those plastic round things that go under potted plants to make the dust/dirt catcher. Worked well!
I also don’t understand why the extra holes were needed to fish the wires for the puck lights. I have a 6 ft long heavy plain metal wire with a hook that is flexible enough to insert in one hole and maneuver to the next hole to pull wire. Just like you use in walls.
Totally valid work-around. Well done
Ugh, Kristi!!!!! I am glad that you figured out a different approach. Enjoy the open spaces while you patch the much-needed hokesl
I was feeling panic just reading about you crawling into that small space and having to crawl back out without turning around! Patching drywall holes is definitely worth it! I think when doing home reno projects you just need to factor in extra time for issues like this one. Plan on things not going as smoothly or easily as we’d like. You’ve made a lot of progress!
I feel your panic since I’m also claustrophobic. I’d definitely be calling a non-claustrophobic electrician to do the work. Despite making a bit of extra work for yourself, I’m glad you succeeded in getting it done. I also think it was a smart move relocating the chandelier to the center. Things that are off center annoy me to no end.
I totally get your fear! I have a fear of heights, after visiting the Grand Canyon when our girls were little. There was just a pipe rail with some rickety chain link fence at the edge of the spot we stopped at, and when I walked closer to see the canyon bottom, I slid a bit on the gravel and thought for a second that I would go right under that fence and careen into the canyon! So I wouldn’t let my 7 and 4 year old go forward to the fence. My husband thought I was nuts. And I’m afraid of water above my waist, because I came close to drowning when I was 15, saved by a guy smaller than me, who saw me go under from across a stream. It’s so hard to try and overcome those fears, and at 71 years old, I guess I will die with them! I would have done exactly what you did.I was thinking about cutting extra holes as I read on to see you did just that! Shoot, I would have removed all the drywall to avoid going up there, and replaced it after – that’s how much I would have avoided the attic space! LOL!
Very clever solution! So glad it is working out. Can’t wait to see this beauty with proper lighting.
Oh, I feel your pain, Kristi! I have the same reaction watching people in enclosed spaces on TV. I’m sure there are more of us out there. 🙂 I’m glad you found a work-around.
Electrical tool called Fish Tape if you ever run into this again. It allows you to “fish” wires up walls, across ceilings and all sorts of other interesting places. Steel ones run about $25. Great for all sorts of things, not just pulling wire, but absolutly makes dropping new wires down walls, or jumping between holes for a series of outlets/switches etc. so much easier.
Don’t ever watch “last Breath”! I’m claustrophobic also so I totally can relate. Better safe, than sorry! Everything is coming along beautifully. Amazed at your talent.
You are grand! You figured out a work-around to get those wires pulled through where they needed to be. The best part about the lighting project, is that it is DONE. You will have so much light. I’m glad you decided to move that light to the center. It would have hurt your brain every time you turned on the light switch if you had tried to live with it. I am thankful you didn’t get stuck in the attic. Getting out of there was worth a dozen holes to patch. Can’t wait until we can see a picture with the fixtures up, holes patched and ceiling painted. Are you going to go ceiling white or blue?
Colordrenching has been mentioned previously. Is it better to paint prior to light installation? You wouldn’t have to cut in around the fixtures.
I wouldn’t have wanted to go into that tight space either. I can’t even imagine backing out once you crawled in – nightmare!!
AW, I know how that panic feels…it is awful! I glad you found a way around it, and a few small holes to fix is the payment to get the job done. Do NOT feel bad…lots of us get that feeling when in a small space. I feel the same about caves, and even though I would love to see some of the caves with all the Stalactites, Stalagmites, etc., I know I can never go…I would panic inside and the Fire Company would probably have to show up…how embarrassing and humiliating! Like Mammoth Cave, in Kentucky…this…! “They talk about claustrophobia before the tour but there is only one spot in the entire tour that’s gets a little tight. When I say tight you have to bend over at the waist and walk through a more narrow area for about 50′.” NOT FOR YOU OR ME! Honestly I’m getting frightened even talking about this! The lighting will improve everything in there…I also love the white lights…the yellows depress me!
Oh my goodness, you just sent me down a rabbit hole! I had never heard of that cave tour. I’ve been to Carlsbad Caverns twice, but it was very spacious, so I didn’t have any problems with it. But I just looked up the Mammoth Cave tours. They have one tour where you actually have to get on your stomach and crawl through tight spaces. I was curious, so I looked up pictures. Oh my gosh…there’s NO WAY I could ever do that! No part of your body can be more than 42 inches or you’ll get stuck. 😨 Nope. Nope, nope, nope. I would never.
We have very similar LED lights in or kitchen, replacing a dozen cheap and nasty halogen downlights. They’re great, give a very pleasant light and look good. We added some magnetic chrome rings rather than sticking with the original white which suited our space better.
Oh my gosh! I have the same reaction with small spaces like that! Mine started after spending several hours reinsulating our low Cape Cod roof as I was the only one small enough to get in there. I was brave to do it then, but that was the end – I will never do anything in a closed in small space like that ever again!
I had a crawl space in my old house; it was more like a big box with a dirt floor covered with black plastic. I needed to thaw my kitchen pipes with a hair dryer one winter. I stood on a stool for about an hour jazzing myself up to go in. My big fear is rats but luckily there was nothing to worry about. Got the pipe thawed before it burst!
By the way. Is all the lighting in that room safe from a circuit standpoint?
I’m sure you’ve checked this out before but I had to ask.
Good workaround—tight spaces aren’t my jam either🙃😉