10 Affordable & Easy Ways to Add Lighting to a Closet Without Wiring

Gregory Han
Gregory Han
A Los Angeles native, Gregory’s interests fall upon the relationship between design, nature, and technology. His resume includes art director, toy designer, and design writer. Co-author of Poketo's "Creative Spaces: People, Homes, and Studios to Inspire", you can find him regularly at Design Milk and the New York Times Wirecutter. Gregory lives with his wife Emily and their two cats—Eames and Eero—in Mt. Washington, California, curiously investigating the entomological and mycological.
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updated May 1, 2019
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(Image credit: Aimée Mazzenga)

I’ve always preferred living in pre-1940s buildings for all their historical and architectural charm (so far, six different places and counting, ranging from 1907 through 1931). But my affinity for the old doesn’t always align with my modern-day needs — most notably the absence of overhead lighting inside closets.

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Mr. Beams Indoor/Outdoor Motion-Sensing LED Ceiling Light, $20 for two (Image credit: Amazon)

LED lighting technology has revolutionized battery-powered, install-anywhere lighting options, offering extremely bright illumination in small form for anyone who can’t change or upgrade the electrical in their home. Not everyone feels comfortable attempting electrical work, but anyone can peel and stick or drill and mount one of these lights.

A year or so ago, I installed a motion-sensing LED closet light onto the closet ceiling, and it’s been — pardon the pun — like night and day. Where I once had to rely on ambient lighting from the bedroom or, somewhat comically, a flashlight, now an automatic ceiling light turns on overhead as soon as I pop my head through the closet door. It’s one of those minor convenience but life-changing upgrades a renter truly learns to appreciate once installed.

Here are 10 of the better-rated units available today, some utilizing touch/tap to power on and others with motion-detection.

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Re-edited from a post originally published 6.12.2013 – DF

This post originally ran on Apartment Therapy. See it there: 10 Affordable & Easy Ways to Add Lighting to a Closet Without Wiring

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