How To Add FANTASTIC Light To Any Dark Closet

[@mikesimmons7539]

Very nice . great job . Thanks for sharing , enjoyed .

[@spiralnapkin]

This is an underrated channel.

[@michelealvarez-childs2130]

May I say that this is the most informative, easy to understand, actually helpful video I have ever watched on adding a new outlet? Your video actually left me with no questions which is not the norm. Ty so much. I hope to see more from you.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you very much, Michele!

[@kevingullickson7191]

Very cool. Thank you for the detailed installation!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You're welcome! Glad you found it helpful.

[@babooll5632]

Great video, thanks. I'm sure your daughter is happy, and proud of her dad.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Not as proud as I am of her. :-)

[@auntielaureningeorgia8806]

Thanks!

[@auntielaureningeorgia8806]

Thank you so very much for this video. I was just about to mount my 3’ plant grow lights into my closet. This is going to be so much better. One suggestion if you ever feel like editing your video is to show how the LED strips connect to the power source. I am going to buy an outlet for my closet ceiling light that I can screw in and plug in the power strip there. That way I’ll be able to use my regular closet light switch to turn on the light. We are in trouble now. I have three more closets that I’m definitely going to do. Again many thanks.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank YOU so much Lauren! I appreciate the donation, and your suggestion. I did cover how to power the lights, but it goes by pretty fast - you just plug the power supply into the light strip, then plug the power supply into the outlet I installed. Your method of getting a screw-in outlet will be a great solution for your closet(s). Good luck!

[@darcyhenson3252]

So appreciative of this video. Thoroughly explained in layman’s terms.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, D'Arcy!

[@wootler]

Thanks! Great instructional video with just the right amount of commentary!

[@brentjohnson6654]

Thanks for the video. I am about to put some led strips in kitchen cabinets with reed switches so they turn on when a cabinet door is opened. I may use your track/diffuser that you used.

[@southisaac]

This is a great video. You have a gift for explaining things.

[@AmplifyDIY]

I appreciate that, Isaac!

[@beckybarnes7814]

I've been wanting to learn more DIY stuff, and this is just the type of video I need. Thank you! Can't wait to watch all your others.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Welcome, Becky! I hope you enjoy the projects on my channel. Thanks for watching!

[@STullos]

Excellent Video!! Thoroughly enjoyed your installation and commentary. Fantastic job! 👍

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you!

[@jseen9568]

My biggest hurdle is going to be cable management. I really want to try and hide the cords as best as I can. I'm thinking of different ways to accomplish this. In the closet I'm renovating, I'm going to be adding in shelves. I'm thnking of adding a false top to the top shelf and hiding the cords etc. in there.

[@FaiyazQuadri]

Thank you! supper helpful! just finished my wife's closet light. looks awesome!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Nice work!

[@giselleysidron]

Best Dad Ever! Great job :)

[@DonDraperVideos]

Exactly what I want to do to a small pantry closet. Plan to place the LED strips vertically from floor to ceiling and on both sidesl facing back into the pantry so all shelves are well lit. Only mod is to have a physical switch activated by the pantry door itself. Also have to add an outlet to the pantry interior so that was helpful too. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You'll have no trouble finding that last granola bar in the bottom of the box in no time!

[@roguezworld]

Great video! Your instructions are very clear and to the precise.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, Rogelio!

[@jamesryder7047]

Awesome job and explanation !!!!

[@3rdgensf]

Great detailed description of the process throughout the entire video. Good job!

[@kfirlavi7674]

Very nice outcome. Thanks for showing every step. I really like your approach to presenting your methods. Really clear.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@marthahansen6123]

Thank you! We need a light in our bedroom closet and this is very helpful.

[@arthurgrueneberger7625]

Perfect demo. I already have an outlet in our bedroom closet, I plan on using Alexa to turn on/off the closet led lights. You did a great job on the video, your instructions really help me with my upcoming DIY project. Thank you.

[@AmplifyDIY]

That's a great idea!

[@jim7smith]

Excellently done. As for the stabs on the back of the outlets, I have been a handyman for a lot of years, and discovered many diy jobs that had loose connections because of those, and a lot of them had arcing and could have started fires. So, I only ever used the screw terminations, NEVER the stabs.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Yeah, the push-in connections are a lazy short cut (and dangerous as you noted as well). Always use the screws!

[@cbell4080]

Thanks so much for this! It is exactly what I want to do for my own closet! I'm not sure I understand how the two light strips are connected. Are they separate strips and each have their own power source that plug in to the outlet? Or do you connect them together? If you connect them together, how do you do that? Is there a strip of wire to attach them together?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi C - they are 2 separate strips, each with their own power supply that plugs into the switched outlet. Thanks for watching!

[@legrma]

Thanks for showing how easy it could be, great job

[@coppedl1971]

This was the second video of yours I have watched and I must say, I am impressed. So impressed I pressed the subscribe button. (pun intended)

[@chicothesavage]

Great job on the video . Thanks for the explaining very well how to set up everything.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@larryv4249]

You have a very good voice for delivering instruction. Did these Led light strip have programming that would allow for different light color? I am guessing "rainbow" llghting would be the "bomb"! Good work, well worth pie.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hey Larry - there are definitely strips you can get that allow you to set various colors/patterns. My daughter specifically wanted just plain white, so that's what I installed here. Of course you can install whatever kind of strip lights you like. Thanks for watching!

[@alejandroochoa862]

Wow, nice video, exactly for I was looking for, thanks

[@albertancustomer4232]

You explain what to do with great clearly. Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Glad you think so, Lido!

[@jorgevasconcelos9391]

Very clean, easy-to-follow process.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, Jorge!

[@GoldenLikeShowers]

Hello could you have just installed the switch only? Did you need to have the second outlet? Great video. Thank you.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Dan - If I only installed the switch... what would it control? The LEDs I installed required a plug, so I knew I needed at least that. Adding a switch just made them much more convenient to turn on/off. Thanks for watching!

[@maverickf13]

Oh gosh it looks so good!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, Lizz!

[@carlbidaisee5218]

Thanks for sharing, very clear instructions, appreciate it.

[@andrewmacleod620]

Hey this is a great video. I'm looking at doing this for a few closets. In my case, the shelf above the clothes hangers doesn't extend any further out from the wall than the hanger bar itself. I'm trying to get more light below the clothes to see the stuff on the floor. Thinking I may have to add strips down the sides, at least below the level of the hanging clothes. I pretty much knew everything that has to be done to install these, but regardless this is a good clear tutorial.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Andrew - I was actually surprised by just how much light is thrown down below the clothes. The bottom of the closet is *much* brighter than it used to be. In your case though, I agree that adding strips down the sides is likely the best bet. Good luck!

[@iGoldeneYe]

Awesome Job! Clean and Professional.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@greekboydinos]

this was an amazing video. really good editing and superb instruction

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, ComputerGeek!

[@LubaLuba1]

Couple of things existing outlet you're tapping from is #12 wire and the new switch location is behind a door.

[@mcgintysportscards8758]

Awesome video and super helpful! I’m hoping to do this for 2 different closets, but one of them only has an outlet on an adjacent wall that’s outdoor-facing. Will that be an issue when running wire to the closet?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi McGinty - this should not be an issue, but that wall likely has insulation in it, which might make fishing the wire up from the outlet to wherever you want to put the switch/outlet in the closet a little trickier. Also: make sure when you cut into the wall on the *inside* that you don't do it right where the *exterior* outlet is located. Do it just above, below, or to the side of that outlet box... or else you won't have any room to put in an interior outlet etc. Make sense?

[@mcgintysportscards8758]

@@AmplifyDIY Thanks! Finally getting around to doing this and it looks like I have the same existing electrical setup as you did with 2 hots and 2 neutrals already coming into the existing outlet at the bottom. What did you end up doing with the new romex?

[@Fullrusher]

I have about the same size closet, and was considering an organizer , would you think that would maximize the space in a closet of that size ?

[@AmplifyDIY]

I find that organizers are great... when they are used efficiently. I have one in one of my closets that winds up just being a catch-all for junk. Your comment reminds me that I need to clean that out. :)

[@Boise30]

Love the AvE shirt! Keep up the videos mate.

[@ojong20521]

Nice job and video.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks!

[@46B3x2you]

Can you do a circuit breaker tracer video. One where you plug in the tracer and then go to your breaker box and find the correct breaker ?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Great idea! I'll add it to my list. Thanks!

[@lynnzieziulewicz4454]

Wow! Great tutorial!!!! Thank you!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for watching, Lynn!

[@MrTamthua]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge. Why didn't you put LED strip on in advanced? How did you connect power to the LED strip?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Brian - I'm not sure what you mean about putting the strip on in advance... in advance of what? As for getting power - if you watch the whole video you'll see I spend a fair bit of time at the beginning explaining how to add a switched socket into the closet, and near the end I show plugging the power supply for the LEDs into the new socket and testing the switch. Thanks for watching!

[@1onelyone]

Nice, I was looking to do this to my closet, it's like a dark cavern..btw, I like how you're rocking the Vice Grip Garage hat!!😉

[@AmplifyDIY]

Well, I'll be dipped!

[@dariusneidhart1068]

My closet need those lights.

[@killiangilmartin4208]

does the switch control the lower outlet as well?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Killian - no, the switch only acts to interrupt power to the outlet I added up inside the closet.The lower outlet is unaffected. Great question, and thanks for watching!

[@veronicamoss3195]

I enjoyed the video but I didn't understand where the plugs connect to the LED strip?

[@arizonashopper5095]

Could a motion detector be added as well? BTW I appreciate the level of detail you provide! Many videos just yada-yada over them...

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Arizona Shopper! Yes, you could certainly add a motion sensor - I'd imagine that instead of plugging the lights into the new outlet, you'd plug the motion sensor into the new outlet, then plug the lights into the sensor. Good luck!

[@Mhakeman]

Nice work, you do such a great job with your videos. Thank you for sharing!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks, Matthew!

[@deboz8793]

This was very informative. I’m just curious. Depending on where someone resides, would there need to be an electrical permit before making any modifications to your own resident, as well as an electrical inspection? I’ve seen many videos of people adding outlets and/or switches, and I’ve not heard (at least I don’t think I have) of anyone saying an electrical permit was obtained and an inspection made for any of the electrical work. Thanks.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi De Boz! This varies a lot based on where you live. Check with your local city codes office to know for sure what is required for your specific area. Everywhere I've lived adding an outlet or switch does not generally require any permitting. Thanks for watching!

[@deboz8793]

@@AmplifyDIY Thank You! ❤️

[@AmplifyDIY]

Do you have any dark areas of your home that could use a little more light?

[@anthonya.torchia396]

Nice work just not sure why you went off the studs for old work boxes when you could have moved the switch and outlet closer to the door frame. Maybe to make it closer to where her hand would be by the closet entrance.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Anthony - I suppose it's just out of habit and that I like to have the stud there to define one edge of my cut. It helps make sure the cut is nice and straight. You are right though, old work boxes can pretty much be placed anywhere you prefer. Thanks for watching!

[@albertancustomer4232]

Any suggestions of wired light strips that would connect directly to the Romex wire without an outlet?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Lido - I don't love the idea of direct wiring. I'd rather use a plug whenever I can. If the fixture is intended to be direct wired, I'd likely add a male plug so that I could still plug it into an outlet. This makes it easier to troubleshoot issues in the future, should anything come up. Good luck!

[@arthendrickson4860]

Have you considered putting the closet lights on a timer or a proximity sensor versus a regular on/off switch? Agreed, the LEDs do not consume a lot of electricity.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Art - I hadn't thought of that, but it's an interesting idea. I have a similar closet in my laundry room that also could use some extra lighting... I'll have to consider a timer or sensor for those. Thanks!

[@arthurgrueneberger7625]

Yes I gave that a think however we have incorporated many taxks with you know who it

[@arthurgrueneberger7625]

Was natural fit.

[@Vaibhavkhairnar19]

Once again, great video and explanation. Thanks for the inspiration. That was a well deserved pie! Can you make an video on how to extend an outlet from a switch on opposite wall? I am planning to setup similar led lighting in our pantry but there is no outlet but just one switch for light on ceiling.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Vaibhav! Thank you for the feedback - the pie was delicious! If I understand correctly: You have a switch on a wall that is shared with your pantry. The switch controls a light on the ceiling of the kitchen. You'd like to add an outlet inside the pantry to plug in some LED lighting as I demonstrated in this video, and just want to know the correct way to add an outlet to the circuit that the light switch is on. Is that correct? If so: it's VERY similar to how I wired things in this video. If you go back and look carefully at how I wired the switch in this video, you'll see that there are 2 sections of wire that come into the box behind the switch: one goes out to the electrical source (the outlet lower on the wall), the other end goes up the wall to where I want to 'use' the electricity (the outlet for the lights). You switch will be exactly the same: one wire will always have power, the other will go out to your kitchen light, and will only have power when you turn on the switch. You can tie into either one of these wires behind the switch... do you want the outlet in the pantry to be controlled by the existing switch? Do you want to add a separate switch? Do you want the outlet to always have power? Feel free to email me some details (pictures of your setup would be really helpful) and I'll see if I can get a better description to you / possibly film something to help explain. You can email me directly: amplifydiy(at)gmail(dot)com. Thanks!

[@timeighty5]

@@AmplifyDIY Here's hoping a licensed electrician can chime in because I'm curious. Anyways, thanks so much for taking the time to reply and for your well-instructed video!

[@Vaibhavkhairnar19]

@@AmplifyDIY I just emailed you the details :).

[@ledfittingforfurniture]

good knowledge krup ^^

[@jimhartzel4640]

Great job. Where did you get all the parts and pieces?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Jim - take a look at the video description. I left links there for everything I used. Thanks for watching!

[@Zeddy8365nkl]

Thank you !!!

[@AmplifyDIY]

You're welcome!

[@sandiego22tnt]

Nice job, dad!

[@roberttheriault5166]

Super good video.....

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thank you!

[@ThisBoresMe]

Love your videos, keep it up! Super helpful!

[@purposePT]

How can I find out how many amps circuit I’m on? You mentioned 15 or 20 amps.

[@AmplifyDIY]

If you look at your circuit breaker panel, the breakers themselves should be labeled with their rating. Good luck!

[@inderbuenrostro9511]

Great job. Now go get you some pie!! 🥧

[@JaguarMikey]

Love the hat! VGG!

[@AmplifyDIY]

A guy went ahead and did the right thing.

[@LBJHJP50]

Are you allowed to have a light swith to turn on and off a socket?

[@AmplifyDIY]

Yes. This is pretty common.

[@LBJHJP50]

Wow, that is definitely not to code in Europe

[@arthendrickson4860]

Yes, a switch can control a receptacle. Many times 1/2 of the receptacle is controlled by the switch and the other half is constantly powered. You simply wire the receptacle as though it was two separate receptacles and break the link between the two halves on both sides of the receptacle. If the switch and receptacle are all on the same circuit, you only need to break the link on the hot side of the receptacle.

[@arthendrickson4860]

In Europe, doesn’t each receptacle have its own switch?

[@LBJHJP50]

@@arthendrickson4860 UK sockets have a switch on the socket. EU sockets have a breaker at the main switch board.

[@timeighty5]

I'm not an electrician so I cannot verify this, but I looked at doing something very similar and was told there was not enough clearance in my closet, which is approximately the same size as yours, that would allow the light/luminary to pass NEC code.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Interesting - when you were looking at doing something like this, was it with a low-volt LED strip like I used in this video?

[@timeighty5]

@@AmplifyDIY I was looking at low voltage led lights, somewhat similar to this, but purchased from a home center.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Thanks for the heads up - I just went and checked the NEC. In this video I installed 2 separate strips: The upper one along the edge of the ceiling is perfectly fine according to the NEC. The one that runs along the under side of the shelf is technically too close to the clothes hanging below... I just measured, and the clothes hang approximately 6" below the LED strip. If I'm reading the NEC correctly, 12" is required between any "surface mount" LED and combustible items such as clothing... however, if the LED lights are "recessed" then only 6" is required. Since the lights are completely enclosed in a mounting track, are they considered "recessed", or are they still considered "surface mount"? I'm not sure. However: the reasoning behind these rules are all about fire hazard / safety. I've let these lights run for hours at a time, and the tracks and tracks do not heat up at all. They only run on 12 volts, and have an external transformer (which is mounted more than 12" from any contents of the closet). I'm not the least bit concerned about a fire/overheating situation. However, I'm not a licensed electrician, I can only speak to my specific install and experience. I hope you are able to find a solution that works well for your closet. Thanks for watching!

[@superspecialty5169]

TOH has a video that has the light go on when you open the closet door.

[@AmplifyDIY]

There are lots of ways to approach closet lighting. Do what works best for your situation. Thanks for watching!

[@popeye-x2752]

With the cleanup complete, it's time for 3.14!

[@ep411]

Awesome vid as usual, but those diffusers are a waste, I would have left them out. You make everything look so easy! 😩

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi EP - you are probably right that the diffusers don't really make much difference in how the light is thrown, but I wanted to show all the steps for people who want to use the diffusers. I have the same light strips installed over my workbenches in my garage, and didn't bother with tracks or diffusers there. They look great. Thanks for watching!

[@smoggydrones5664]

Being in the UK many things are different. I really enjoyed your video right up until you wired the lights. Surly a box could have been put on the wall to hide the light controls and trunking for the cable upto the LED strip. Just tacking it to the wall looks messy and not very profession. I know it cannot be seen but this makes a good install a brilliant install. Overall still good

[@AmplifyDIY]

Sure, I could have added that, but as you noted: nobody will ever see it. I didn't want to bother with the extra expense and time in the install. Thanks for watching!

[@mikesolis3833]

Ain’t no boyfriend hiding in that closet ima install that shit Forsure. Thanks for the video great idea

[@stephanc7192]

👍👍👍

[@uncle-jefelevy2215]

You didn't show how to wire the LEDS.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Uncle-Jefe - these strips came pre-wired to a power supply with a dimmer switch. At 26:27 I showed plugging in and organizing this power supply along with the wiring to the switch and the LED strips. Thanks for watching!

[@cesarrodriguez2493]

Enjoy the apple pie! :)

[@AmplifyDIY]

I did!

[@leopold9999]

never understood why your outlets don't have switches

[@anilalkan348]

am i the only one noticed that he never connected or show how to connect the below outlet? Run the cables but never connect the main gfi from the beginning? I would like to learn that too!

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Anil - At 11:44 I explain exactly why I didn't show precisely how to wire into the existing outlet (because mine is not a standard outlet you are likely to encounter). However, I did put up text instructions on screen briefly, and I left this link in my video description to an excellent video all about how to wire an outlet: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6iqoIhpjbujpKs I'm happy to address any specific questions you still have about how to do the wiring for your project. Good luck, and thanks for watching!

[@anilalkan348]

@@AmplifyDIY Thank you , much appreciated and will follow and like your videos as much as i can in order to support your hard work. Thanks for your profeesional outcome, much respect.

[@lindcobbs4615]

Nice idea but not apartment friendly for those of us paying rent and need our deposit returned.

[@AmplifyDIY]

Hi Lind - that's true, if you can't make modifications, perhaps you could find some lighting that is battery powered and could be mounted with double-sided foam tape? That would be removable when you move out, so your deposit would be returned. Thanks for watching!

[@DeathsBigToe]

Random comment for the KZbin algorithm.