Add Lighting Without An Electrical Box

 There is no need to be disappointed if you don't have an electrical box on the ceiling in an area you would like to hang a light fixture. With a nearby outlet, a pendant-style light fixture with a decorative chain, and some miscellaneous parts, you can light any area your want.

The basic parts list aside from the fixture will be some ceiling hooks (one for every two feet away from the wall you want your light fixture to be), an outlet switch, a lamp cord replacement plug and possibly some extra electrical cord and chain. A multitasker is always nice to have on hand to ensure electrical outlets are either off or on if breakers need to be turned off.

As stated before, you will want to pick a pendant pendant-stylet style light fixture that has a decorative chain. Find the spot where you want the light to hang and install a ceiling hook. Ensure the hooks you have chosen are rated to support the light fixture you want to hang. Hang the light fixture at the height you prefer via the chain on the hook. From there, install a hook every two feet in the direction of the closest outlet and then one directly over the outlet. If you are hanging your light fixture over a chair that is right next to a wall outlet, then you may only need a couple of hooks. "Swag" the chain from hook to hook until the chain and cord hang above your outlet.

You may be out of chain and cord without going down to the outlet. Fortunately, your home improvement store will likely sell chain and cord that matches what came with your fixture. You can use butt connectors and heat shrink tubing to extend your electrical cord to the length you will need to reach your out. let

At this point, you will need to install the lamp cord replacement plug on the end of the cord from your light fixture. Plug it in the outlet,n and presto, you have a working fixture where you want it. To make things easier, you can use a switch that plugs into the outlet and then controls the power to the light fixture through its outlet. Some switches have an actual switch at the outlet, some are remote-controlled, and others have a little touch-sensitive pad that you can set on an end table.