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If you want to use a pendant in your decor but there is no electrical box in the ceiling, you can still hang a pendant without wiring with various options available to you.
As a lighting consultant this is how I do it, looking at the various types of pendants available and guide you on how to install a pendant and include recommend modern wireless switching options.
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| Plug in Pendant Light White Fabric |
| Adjustable 15 ft hanging cord allows you to easily adjust the height and install into a low level electrical outlet. |
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Plug in Ceiling Light |
The types of pendant that do not need to be hard wired in are:
Each of these types of lighting solutions offer a unique and creative way to light up your room without the need for direct installation to a ceiling electrical outlet.
When no direct power is required the places to hang a pendant without wiring are limitless. A plug in swag pendant can be hung from the ceiling or wall, on a porch or deck, inside your home or outside in the garden. Battery operated and solar powered pendants can also be hung anywhere you desire.
Keep in mind, when you have a battery operated or solar powered pendant, the batteries will need to be changed or recharged from time to time and the solar panel will need direct access to sunlight in the day to recharge, but can be positioned under a canopy or awning on your deck or patio during the evening.
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| Solar Pendant Light in Glass |
| Easy to install anywhere remote controlled IP65 outdoor pendant light |
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Solar Powered Pendant |
This is the process to follow:
The first step to hanging a pendant without wiring is to choose the right type of light for your room or space outdoors.
The most popular option for this type of installation is a swag light, which works by plugging into the wall and hanging from a chain or cord. These lights come in many styles, sizes, and finishes so you can find one that suits you.
You may need a battery-operated light fixture, as this type does not require an electrical box/junction box or electricity, but it would need to be recharged.
If you have one you have found in a store and still want to hang it, you can, but you will need to convert it into a plug in version.
You’ll need to splice the wires of the light fixture to an extension cord long enough for you to reach from the ceiling positon to outlet.
This trailing lead will need to runa cross the ceiling and down a wall to the outlet, so it’s advisable to choose a decorative cord that suits the light fixture.
The next step is to determine where you want to hang the pendant. You may need to measure the ceiling if it’s not already marked with studs or other indicators.
Once you have found the spot, mark it with a pencil or marker so you know where to place your light.
Plug in pendants swag the electrical cord across the ceiling and will need access to a low level power outlet, so should be hung reasonably near a socket.
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| Vintage Chandelier Ceiling Plate Canopy Kit |
| Max load is 22LBS, this ceiling plate has two mounting points, so is very strong for plug in chandelier |
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Ceiling Canopy with Hook |
Now that you know where to hang the pendant, it’s time to attach it. Install a hook to the ceiling for your new light to hang on.
It is very important that you use a good quality hook and anchor it to a joist or beam on the ceiling. You can find different types of hooks at hardware stores, but I like this easy install heavy duty ceiling hook.
A canopy kit will usually come with everything that you need and should include screws to attach it securely to the ceiling as well as an adjustable chain/cord for hanging purposes.
Ensure that your pendant is ready to be hung. Depending on the type of light, you may need to attach a chain or eyelet to the fixture so it hangs on something stronger than the electrical flex itself, but most pendants are suitable to be hung by the cord so only reinforce with chain if say a large heavy glass pendant or lantern.
The cord can drap over a hook if it is secured tightly somewhere along the ceiling. It can be useful to remove the pendants on occasions, so plan ahead and ensure it can be released without too much work.
Once you have your light and the ceiling hook put in, installation is simple by just hanging the light fixture.
Now consider what the cord will look like, will you hide it or make a feature of it?
A basic electrical cord is commonly used and acceptable, but you may want to think about how your cord will run down the wall to an outlet. You can put it behind molding or you may need to paint it the same color as the wall its installed on.
One interesting possibility is to turn the cord into a decorative element by using a contrasting color with the wall. Avoid trying to hide the cord by painting it into the wall since it may not look good. Instead, embrace it and give it a meaningful path from the power source to the light.
Now it’s time to consider how it’s controlled as the switching of this pendant will be independent to the other lights in the room that are hard wired in.
To synchronize the pendant’s lighting with other room lights, you can use smart light bulbs in a plug-in variant. These bulbs can be added to a pre-programmed scene that includes other lights which are all operated using wireless Bluetooth technology. You can then adjust your pendant to the desired colour temperature and dim it to achieve the ideal mood lighting.
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| SONOFF S40 WiFi Smart Plug |
| Wireless control of your plug-in light fitting through your phone app via wifi. Just plug it in with an easy set up. |
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Wireless Switching |
It is also possible to purchase electrical sockets and plug-in adaptors that have wifi capabilities. These can be controlled through a phone app, effectively turning your phone into a remote control for the sockets. With this setup, the pendant can be controlled without having to be wired into the lighting circuit.
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| Remote Control Light Bulb to Wall Switch |
| Wireless lighting control from dedicated wall switch to bulb base. ETL listed |
| Check the Price |
Wireless Wall Switch |
If your pendant light has a compatible lamp base, you can use certain products to turn a dedicated wall switch into a remote control for the light bulb. This allows you to use a regular wall switch that can wirelessly turn the light on and off, without the need for a physical switch at the light fixture.
Many people purchase battery-operated wireless pendants and solar pendants that come with a handheld remote control. This enables you to remotely turn it on and off without the need for any wiring.
Although it may not be very advanced, a practical way to control the new overhead light is to simply plug it in to turn it on and unplug it to turn it off.
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