If you love chandeliers but have recessed lights in your home, we’ll show you how to convert a recessed light to a pendant. Below are the quick steps:
- Turning Off Power
- Removing Old Lamp
- Securing Brace
- Securing Sliding Bar
- Installing Mounting Bracket
- Installing Wire and Covers
- Attaching Mounting Bar
- Attaching Wires
The lamps you choose for your home lighting needs can say a lot about you. So why stick with old-fashioned canned lights when you can turn a recessed lamp into a chandelier in your home? Please read on for more detailed information.
Required Materials
- Recessed light converter kit with an adjustable bar, socket adapter, mounting bar, round metal plate, decorative medallion, and hardware (we used one from Westinghouse)
- Power screwdriver
- Pendant light fixture and mounting hardware
Convert a Recessed Light to a Pendant
Here is the step-by-step guide:
Turning Off Power
At the circuit breaker for the light you are converting, turn off power. Before you touch the socket or wires, turn on and off the switch to make sure the power is off.
Removing Old Lamp
Remove the old lamp from its socket. Remove any decorative trim after unscrewing the lightbulb first.
Editor’s Tip: The setup of your light fixture will determine how you complete this step, so refer to the manufacturer’s instructions as necessary.
Securing Brace
Insert the brace from your kit into the recessed can fixture. Before fastening the brace with screws, make sure the locking bar is in place.
Securing Sliding Bar
To attach the sliding bar that was included with your kit to the recessed can light, use a power screwdriver. Use only the screws intended for the sliding bar.
Installing Mounting Bracket
Put the mounting bracket back on the fixture once the brace and bar are in place. The brace you installed in Step 3 is where the bracket is attached.
Installing Wire and Covers
Installing the ground wire to the side of the recessed can requires the use of a screw. After that, mount the mounting plate and metal cover plate.
Attaching Mounting Bar
Install the mounting bracket with the mounting bar for the pendant light. Make sure your pendant includes the mounting bar because conversion kits are less common to come with pendant lights.
Attaching Wires
Connect the pendant wires to the kit wires after threading your pendant light’s wires through the ornamental medallion. To make sure you’re attaching the right wires, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions. Secure the pendant light to the socket, then turn on the circuit breaker.
Why Convert a Can Light to Pendant?
Ceiling-hung pendant lights are a traditional type of lighting. They’re a great option for illuminating a space more covertly, like over a dining table or bathroom vanity. Our pendant light conversion kits are compatible with a wide range of fixtures, including mini pendant lights and pendant track lights.
Choose Light Bulb Types
The complete list of light bulb types is provided here in case you decide to switch from recessed lights to pendants.
- LED long-lasting, stays cool, dimmable, variety of color options, energy-efficient (a customer favorite for use with our pendant light conversion kit)
- The typical incandescent bulb produces warm light but also gets hot and consumes a lot of energy.
- Similar to incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs have a longer lifespan and use less energy.
- Although CFL/fluorescent bulbs are energy-efficient, they emit harsh light and have mercury in them.
Read about Canless Recessed Lighting
Reduce Your Energy Consumption
In addition to choosing eco-friendly bulbs, you can reduce your energy consumption even further once you change recessed light to pendant by using:
- Energy Star rated light fixtures
- Dimmer switches
- Motion detectors
- Ceiling fans
Conclusion: How to Convert a Recessed Light to a Pendant
So, now that you’ve read the post, are you able to see how to change a recessed light into a pendant?
Many thanks for reading! If you have any questions, please leave a comment. My Prime Home tries to give you the best home improvement information. Don’t forget to share the post.
The answers to some frequently asked questions about changing a recessed light into a pendant are provided below.
FAQs
Can You Change a Recessed Light to a Pendant?
If you’re ready to replace your old can lights with a beautiful, updated fixture, The Can Converter pendant light conversion kit makes it so easy that in a just a few hours, anyone can convert a recessed light to a pendant.
Can You Change Recessed Lighting to Chandelier?
In those cases, you can use the existing wiring to replace recessed lighting with a pendant or chandelier fixture using a recessed light conversion kit or change the entire setup of the light and use a standard fixture.
What is the Difference Between Flush Mounted and Recessed?
Light can diffuse or spread throughout the entire space because flush mount or semi-flush mount light fixtures are frequently housed in glass housing. On the other hand, recessed lighting offers vertical downlighting and may need more fixtures to provide the same amount of brightness throughout a space.
What Can I Replace Recessed Lights With?
Luckily, there is now a better alternative to recessed can lights. What many people are now using in their homes instead of recessed can lights is a light fixture called a disc light. The disc light is a tiny LED light mounted to the surface of the ceiling that is typically only about an inch tall.
