Ask Steve: Hallway Lighting
Hallway Lighting Question
Question:
I have a long corridor/hallway that is only 3 feet wide and gets very little
daylight. This hall, leading to 3 bedrooms and a bathroom, is lit with two flush ceiling lights each rated for a single 60
watt bulb. The fixtures look original but I want more light, and I don't want to disturb the plaster or move the electric boxes. What do
you recommend?
Answer: First of all, sconces are out, the hallway is too narrow and besides you don't want to rewire. I recommend you use the current electrical boxes and replace each fixture with a two-light pendant. Position the pendants to run parallel with the hall. This positioning will work better for the narrow width of your hall and will spread the light throughout. This will double your light output without creating bright spots or glare.
By the way, pendants generally provide better quality of light for hallways. Because the light source is brought down from the ceiling, you will benefit from greater reflected ceiling light and a larger spread of light. If you have an 8' ceiling, choose an overall length for the pendants that falls between 12" and 16". If you have a 9' ceiling, the overall length should be somewhere between 18" and 24".
If you like the old hallway light fixtures, and the electrical components are in good condition, recycle by using in another area. Below is a selection of two-light pendants suitable for your application.
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