light fixture Archives - Pretty Handy Girl

ceilings, Electrical, energy conservation, Home & Auto Maintenance, lamp, light fixture, new light fixture, Rewiring lamp, Tutorial

How to Install a Ceiling Fan

Easily learn how to install a ceiling fan by following this simple step-by-step installation process. No licensed electrician required.

Ceiling Fan Installation Project

I’ve installed probably a dozen ceiling fans in my life. Pretty Handsome Guy was remarking to me last night, “Wait, you mean you’ve never written a tutorial on how to install a ceiling fan on the blog?”

It’s true, most of the installs were pre-blogging days. For this reason, I was truly excited when Casablanca contacted me and asked if I wanted one of their new ceiling fans.

I knew it was a great opportunity to put together a tutorial for you so you could see that installing a ceiling fan is not a difficult DIY project!

Plus, we had Casablanca fans in our previous house and they are well made and will last a long time. Therefore, I have no hesitation recommending Casablanca to you!

Okay, and I also wanted to change your mind about ceiling fans and design aesthetics. I know that some designers break out in hives when a client wants a ceiling fan. And who can blame them when the stereotypical ceiling fan looks like this:

Oh yes, she’s a beauty. And she’s all mine, complete with moldy canopy and boobilicious globe. In all seriousness, that fan was U-G-L-Y. Plus, it was a bit too small for our porch and didn’t do well with the warm air circulation. (You can figure out what size ceiling fan you need for your space in the FAQ section on the Casablanca site.)

You can now understand why I was actually delighted to hang out on top of an 8 foot ladder in 95 degree heat to install a new ceiling fan.

Yes, I was excited, especially because Casablanca has so many beautiful options for stylish fans. And I know, they have ceiling fans that will surely have the designers changing their tune.

Casablanca Fan Collection | Pretty Handy Girl

Safety, Prep, and Hints Before You Install a Ceiling Fan:

Before I give you the full tutorial for the installation process, we need to talk about prep work and safety.

First, do not attempt any electrical projects until you have turned off the power to the light switch fixture or wall switches you are working on.

I like to turn on the fan and light (they are often on two different power lines) and then shut off the power on the circuit breaker. This gives me the visual assurance that the power is indeed off.

Next, if you are replacing a light fixture with a ceiling fan, you MUST make sure that the junction box is attached to a support.

This means the box is screwed into a ceiling joist, brace, or the junction box is attached to a Ceiling Fan Brace. Do not attach a fan to a ceiling fan box that is not able to hold the full weight of the fan (and all the vibration it will produce over the years.)

If you don’t have proper bracing for your fan—have no fear—look into purchasing a Ceiling Fan Brace that can be installed from inside the room (no need to crawl into the attic.)

Finally, you need to have a Sturdy A-Frame Step Ladder tall enough to reach 1-2 feet below the fan during installation. And having an assistant who can hand you the motor when it’s time to hang the fan is a great way to save time and make the job a bit easier.

One handy tip: You will most likely drop a screw during the installation. If you are working on a porch with slats, lay down a blanket under the ladder to catch them. This also helps aid in a quick clean up from dust and dropped dry wall debris.

Ready to get your cool on by installing a beautiful new ceiling fan? Here are a few necessary tools you will likely need to make the process easier. Having the right tools makes it so much easier!

Let’s take a spin shall we:

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Instructions:

Turn off the power to your light fixture/fan in the circuit box.

Remove the existing fan and/or light fixture:

Check to make sure the fan AND light do not have power to them.

Begin by removing the existing fixture or fan. All ceiling fans are different, but most require removing the light kit before you can get access to the fan blades and motor. Assess the fixture and look for screws to unscrew.

Remove the light bulbs and save them for another fixture.

Keep removing screws until you can access the wiring. Disconnect the wire connectors from the light kit to the fan.

Remove the fan blade arms one at a time. It helps to remove blades opposite of one another to keep the fan semi-balanced.

Disconnected the electrical wiring from the fan to the ceiling. Remove the ceiling fan motor. (Sing a tune if you like.)

And finally, remove the mounting bracket.

Prepare the new fan for installation:

The fan I installed is the Casablanca 56″ Caneel Bay Aged Steel Ceiling Fan. It is the perfect choice for our porch and a huge upgrade from our old light fixture.

Prior to choosing your new fan, it helps to know the ceiling height and determine the center of the room for placement.You want to find the right fan for the size of your room. As always, be sure to refer to your manufacturer’s instructions prior to install.

The new fan is not only stylish, but also a full 6″ wider than the previous fan. This means better airflow on our screen porch, which helps make that warm air a little cooler!

This may also help with energy savings in the hot summer months.

Before hanging the fan, the decorative arms need to be assembled. Screw the arms to the decorative cup:

Attach the arms to the side of the fan motor. Hand tighten the decorative screws.

Insert the downrod through the decorative cup. Thread the wires through the top of the downrod. Loosen the set screw.

Turn the downrod into the top of the fan until it is tight. Tighten the set screw securely using pliers to insure a tight hold.

Slip the canopy over the downrod.

Trim the excess wires a little shorter (I like to leave 8-12″ more than I think I’ll need.) Strip approximately 3/4″ of the insulation off the ends of the wires.

Locate the hanging bracket and secure it to the stud that holds the junction box, or secure it to the junction box if it is bolted to a ceiling fan brace. Pull on the hanging bracket to make sure there is no movement and it feels secure.

Bribe your assistant to hand you the ceiling fan motor. Gently slip the top of the downrod into the hanging bracket. Be careful not to pinch any of the wires.

Now you can let your assistant go. The hanging bracket will hold the fan while you make your wiring connections.

Wiring a Ceiling Fan for Wall Switch Control (with 2 power wires – one for the fan and one for the light):

Most of the ceiling fans installed in the past used two switches if it had a light. This means there are two separate power wires that are in the junction box.

Plus, one neutral wire and one ground. This is the standard installation for a ceiling fan that doesn’t have a remote and a receiver. It’s important to ensure you are working with the correct wire color for installation.

Always attach your ground wires first (copper, bare or green wires). You will want to attach the wires together with a wire nut and then wrap part of the bare wire around the ground screw attached to the mounting bracket.

Or in the case of the Casablanca fan, attach the green and yellow striped wire (from the hanging bracket) to the green wire from the fan and the ground wire from your ceiling box.

Next, attach the white neutral wire from the ceiling box to the white wire from the fan.

Attach the black wire from the ceiling box to the black wire on your fan. And finally, attach the additional power wire (usually red, but can be black or striped) to the blue wire (this color may vary) from the fan.

Gently tuck the wires into the ceiling junction box. It is good practice to put the white neutral wires on the opposite side of the box as the red and black power wires.

Cover the wires and mounting bracket with the canopy and screw it into place.

Wiring a Ceiling Fan for Remote Control Operation (using one power wire):

The Casablanca fan I installed has a remote control for the lights and fan speeds. The remote communicates to a receiver which independently controls the fan and lights.

This gadget effectively eliminates the need for two separate power wires.

Wiring with the receiver is a little more work because you are creating more connections, but it’s just as easy to do.

First, cap off your extra power wire (if you have one) and tuck it into the ceiling box. (For added safety, wrap electrical tape over the wire nuts and wire.)

Next, attach the ground wires together (copper, bare or green wires). Use a wire nut to attach the wires together, then wrap part of the bare wire around the ground screw attached to the mounting bracket.

Or in the case of the Casablanca fan, attach the green and yellow striped wire (from the hanging bracket) to the green wire from the receiver and the ground wire from your ceiling box.

Next, attach the white neutral wire from the ceiling box to the white wire from the receiver.

Attach the black wire from the ceiling box to the black wire on your receiver.

Now make the connections from the receiver to the fan. Attach the white wires first, then the black and finally attach the two blue wires together with a wire nut.

Carefully tuck the wires into the ceiling box. Then gently slide the receiver inbetween the hanging bracket and the ceiling box.

You might need to play with the wires a little to get everything to fit neatly.

Raise the canopy over the hanging bracket and secure it with the screws provided.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Installing the Fan Blades and Light Kit:

Installing the fan blades on the Caneel Bay are a little tricky, but once you get one blade assembly screw and nut attached it moves quickly.

It’s a good idea to try to attach blades across from one another to keep the fan relatively balanced.

Lift the upper switch housing up onto the fan motor. Thread the wires through the center hole. Use the provided screws to attach the housing.

Connect the wires from the fan motor to the wires on the switch housing (light kit). Connecting them is super easy, just line up the colors and snap the wiring harness together and make sure it is secured.

Screw the light kit (switch housing) into the fan.

Add the provided halogen light bulbs. (Avoid touching halogen bulbs with your fingers because the salt and oils in your skin could cause the bulbs to wear out faster.)

Attach the globe to the fan, making sure all the “hammers” on the globe ring are secured in the notches on the fan.

Turn the power on and make sure the light and fan works appropriately. If it fails to work, one of your wire connections may have come loose.

Turn off the power and check your connections.

It’s time to appreciate the beauty of a new ceiling fan. And enjoy the efficiency of the wider blade span as it moves the air and cools you off.

Excuse me now while I drink some ice cold lemonade and chill out.

Do you love the look of the Caneel Bay fan as much as I do? Or do you think you’d like a more modern ceiling fan?

I’ll be back next week to show you a few more changes I made on our screen porch. I hope you found this ceiling fan installation tutorial helpful.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Casablanca Fan Company. I was sent a complimentary fan and compensated for my time. All images, ideas and words are my own. I will always let you know the relationship I have with a brand via a disclosure. Also know that I am very particular about the brands I work with.

Millie’s Remodel: Lighting & Fan Reveal

This is by far my favorite phase in any home renovation! In my mind, the lighting install is like adding jewelry to complete the outfit! And you have to admit some of this lighting is drool-worthy bling! Today, I’m excited to share with you the lighting and fans I chose for Millie’s Remodel.

Millie’s Remodel: Lighting & Fan Reveal

I can’t believe how much progress has happened on the Millie’s Remodel project. If you’re just getting caught up, you can find all the Millie’s Remodel updates here. While we were working outside and moving the shed, my electrician was busy working inside.

Almost all the lighting and fans were provided by Kichler, the Gold Sponsor of the Millie’s Remodel project.

To be completely honest, I’ve been a fan of Kichler lighting for over a decade. I have installed many of their fixtures in my house and always know I can expect quality from the brand. (You can read how their customer service hooked me up in this tutorial.) But, I had no idea they also manufacture ceiling fans and lighted mirrors. You have to see all the options! Ready to see the lighting and fans I used in the Millie’s Remodel house?

Trying to choose options for Millie wasn’t an easy task because there were so many beautiful fixtures to choose from. I finally narrowed my selection down, and once I stepped into the house, I was blown away by how gorgeous the fixtures are and how well they complement the mid-century modern style.

Lighting in the Millie’s Remodel House:

A black and glass modern LED light greets everyone at the front door and definitely sets the tone for the interior.

The River Path light from Kichler, is a modern LED light with bubble glass that reflects the light around the front door.

I love that you never have to replace the light bulbs, and can leave the light on all night and well into the daytime. I snapped this quick photo of the sunset as I left one night. It shows the light cast from the River Path fixture.

Inside the living room are low profile LED lights from Kichler. They aren’t showy, but that’s what I love about them. The Horizon II LED lights are dimmable and they install on top of the drywall (but look like recessed lights). No more worrying if you have a ceiling joist in your way (although you still have to install a junction box), you can set your lights anywhere you want on your ceiling!

Sputnik light fixtures (especially chandeliers) are making a big comeback. I chose the Armstrong flush mount light for the powder/laundry room and love the shape and natural brass finish.

How sexy is this light, especially when it’s lit?

In the hallway, my electrician installed the three-light Alton fixture.

This semi-flush light puts out a ton of light, and I love the shadows the seeded glass projects on the ceiling.

The main bathroom has the most quintessential mid-century modern light fixture (in my humble opinion.) The Jasper three globe fixture adds a lot of ambient light in the room. Although I chose to mount the globes facing up, it can also be mounted down. This orientation, gave me plenty of room to install an elegant Ryame lit mirror underneath. If you’ve ever used a lit mirror, you know how flattering the lighting is.

The best part about the Jasper and Ryame (besides that they make a handsome couple), is they both use LEDs and you never have to replace a bulb!

I saved my favorite lights for last. These hexagon cage pendants aren’t just modern and stylish. They will complement one of the tile choices I made for the kitchen. I can’t wait to show you them together, but for now, gaze at these beauties.

The Rocklyn pendant lights have an industrial modern look. I decided to hang them at various heights for more visual interest. My assistant, Stephanie, told me about these gem bulbs and I ordered them as quickly as I could. Once screwed in, the Rocklyn pendant lights and the gem bulbs looked like a match made in heaven.

I mean, come on, can you even argue that these two weren’t made for each other.

Ceiling Fans:

Time to chill with a few ceiling fans. I know many people who despise ceiling fans because of how they look, but these fans from Kichler are truly works of art.

This is the Incus LED fan. The light is dimmable and is the perfect low profile light in this modern fan. I love the curves on this fan and think it might need a better name like Ana, Ashley, or how about Marilyn! What do you think? Should we all send notes to Kichler with our name suggestions? 😉

In the smaller bedroom, I installed the Ridley II and I kind of have a crush on him. Ridley is a guy, right?

The fan blades are real wood, and I don’t know if they are truly hand-carved, but they look like it! Maybe the woodworker’s name is Ridley. Anyway, no faux wood for Ridley, no siree.

I’d love to know what you think of the lighting and fan choices I made for this mid-century house. Personally I have a crush on all of it. Can I get away with mid-century modern in a late-70’s dutch colonial? Asking for a friend.

Disclosure: Kichler Lighting is a Millie’s Remodel gold sponsor. I was provided with complimentary fixtures for the house.

July 24, 2020/2 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

decor, Decorating, designer, Electrical, light fixture, Millie's Remodel

Mid-Century Modern Lighting Options for Millie’s Remodel

Mid-Century Modern design is a trend that is sweeping the design world by storm. While researching lighting options for Millie’s Remodel, I curated a list of possible light fixtures. Here are some of my favorite mid-century modern lighting options.

Mid-Century Modern Lighting Options for Millie’s Remodel

Mid-Century Modern design style is filled with sleek lines, golds, wood tones, and shapes reminiscent of galactic constellations. While looking for lighting options for the Millie’s Remodel house, I spent a fair amount of time curating lighting to fit with the modern style. Luckily I found a fair amount of light options and a few ceiling fans that would look perfect in any mid-century modern house.

Disclosure: Kichler Lighting is a Millie’s Remodel gold sponsor. I was provided with complimentary fixtures for the house.

Mid-Century Chandeliers

Chandeliers are often the focal point in a room and for good reason. Typically they are larger in size, elegance, and number of light bulbs than other fixtures in the home. Why not steal the show with one of these mid-century modern style chandeliers?

Mid-Century Modern Pendant Lights

Pendant lights might be my favorite light fixtures after chandeliers. With their smaller size, pendants can fit perfectly over a sink, paired in a set of two on either side of a mirror, or in groupings over an island or bar. These are some great options for Mid-Century Modern pendant lights.

Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Lights

When you have low ceilings, flush mount and semi-flush mount light fixtures are a necessity. Meet a whole crop of beautiful mid-century modern inspired ceiling lights.

Mid-Century Modern Wall-Mounted Lights & Sconces

Bathrooms are the primary location for wall-mounted lights, but look close for other opportunities to use wall-mounted lights. Sconces are right at home on either side of a window, doorway, or to add lighting on a staircase. Regardless of where you want to install them, here are some great options for mid-century modern wall-mount lights.

Mid-Century Modern Ceiling Fans

Those of us that live in warmer climates know sometimes you need a ceiling fan paired with your light. There’s nothing like a hot and humid evening to encourage some airflow over your skin to cool off. Below are several sources for ceiling fans that pair nicely with mid-century modern furniture and fixures.

Are you embracing the mid-century modern design trend? I’d love to hear which are your favorites.

Disclosure: Kichler Lighting is a Millie’s Remodel gold sponsor. I was provided with complimentary fixtures for the house.

February 17, 2020/2 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

DIY, Do It Yourself, Electrical, energy conservation, Home Maintenance, light fixture, Tutorial

How to Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED Lights

Do you have those old discolored recessed can lights in your home that use big hot flood bulbs? If so, it’s time for an upgrade!

How to Update Ugly Recessed Can Lights with Energy Efficient LED Lights

Today I want to show you how to update ugly recessed can lights with energy saving LED recessed lights. This process is quick and easy, not to mention the new lights will look better, last longer, and save you money on your energy bill! What more could you want? Change out all your ugly recessed lights in no time by following this simple tutorial.

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

6″ LED Recessed Dimmable Retrofit Downlights
Ladder or step stool
X-acto knife (optional)

Instructions:

Here is what my old lights look like. Not only are they ugly, but they use the large flood light bulbs that use too much energy, radiate heat, and burn out quickly. I don’t know about you, but I am tired of changing these burned out bulbs.

Want to see how quickly you can change out your lights? Here’s a one minute video (that’s how fast you can do it):

The first step to replacing these recessed lights is to remove the light bulb by simply unscrewing it from the socket. Unless you’re extraordinarily tall, you’ll probably need a step ladder for this project.

Next, find two small springs inside the baffle, as shown in photo below. They look like a wire with a loop in the center. Pull up and out on the springs to release the baffle inside your can light.

Remove the trim by simply pulling it off the ceiling.

Grab your new retrofit LED recessed light and screw the adapter into the light bulb socket, exactly as you would screw in a light bulb. It’s that easy!

Inside the opening, find two metal clips. Squeeze the spring hinges on your LED light and insert them into the clips inside the old recessed can. These will hold the light in place.

Finally, gently push your light up into the ceiling. Believe it or not, you’re done!

Now you have a beautiful, white, and energy-efficient LED recessed light. Take some time to admire it.

Now you can easily change out all the can lights in the room and voila, your lighting is upgraded! This is such a quick, easy, and inexpensive project. There is no point in putting it off any longer.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. Feel free to share any questions or thoughts in the comment section below. Thank you for reading!

Liked this project? I know you’ll love these other lighting upgrades:

Change Out a Dated Hollywood Strip Light

How to Convert a Recessed Can Light to Accept a Hard-Wired Light

September 24, 2018/31 Comments/by Brittany Bailey

DIY, Electrical, light fixture

How to Hang a Barn Light

How to Hang A Barn Light

Hi everyone, it’s Dean from Diane and Dean today. I can’t wait to show you how to hang a barn light. Some may call it an obsession, but I like to think of it as a significant interest! What is it? Exterior lighting! Most homeowners may not think much further beyond function, but exterior lighting can REALLY make a difference to the curb appeal of your home.

With fewer choices for lighting fixtures on the outside of the house (compared to the inside), getting the right light fixture is important. Like most typical homes, our’s came with the gratuitous flood light circa 1980. The light was mounted in a highly visible spot over a walkway to the paver patio and pergola. Unfortunately, the flood light lacked everything but function!

For a long time, I have been eyeballing gooseneck barn lights. They remind me of my summers in eastern Pennsylvania spent on my cousin’s dairy farm. These fixtures aren’t the most economical in price, but the prominent spot dictated reaching a little further into the old wallet. After placing the order with a local company, that makes replica fixtures by hand, I anxiously waited for its arrival!

Here it is fresh out of the box, and it looks pretty simple to install because it is simple to install!

Let’s get to it and I’ll show you How to Hang a Barn Light!

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

Gooseneck Barn Light
Philips screwdriver
Hex Wrench
Wire Cutter and Stripper
Wire nuts
Plumber’s Tape (may be included with the fixture)

Instructions:

Step 1: Turn off the power at the circuit breaker. (It’s a good idea to turn the light on before you turn off the circuit. Then you can visually verify that the power is indeed turned off to the light.)

Step 2: Unscrew the cover off of the flood light (or whatever fixture you are replacing.) Pull the wires out of the junction box. Unscrew the wire nuts. Discard or recycle the old fixture and throw away the old wire nuts. (I like to replace the wire nuts when installing new fixtures because they are inexpensive and it insures a good connection.)

The gooseneck barn light comes with a face plate, a shade, and the gooseneck arm. All light fixtures have a white and black wire (together they provide the power); and a green wire (the ground wire). Thread the wires through the goose neck arm and the face plate (if not already threaded through). One end of the gooseneck arm is threaded and will attach to the shade. Wrap the threaded end of the goose neck arm with plumber’s tape (to prevent water from getting into the fixture.) Screw the threaded end into the shade. The other end is held into the face plate with a hex screw. Super easy, right?

Unfortunately, with this light, you must mount the entire fixture fully assembled (some fixtures can be installed by first mounting just the face plate first.) Therefore, you will need an extra set of hands to help hold the fixture in place while trying to connect the wire nuts and the fixture to the junction box.

NOTE: This fixture is made from real materials (aka heavier than big box retail fixtures). You need to make sure your junction box will hold the weight of the barn light snug against the exterior wall. If not, you will need to replace a plastic junction box with a metal one to support the additional weight.

Step 3: Cut the excess wires with the wire cutter. Using the wire stripping tool, remove approximately 1″ of the wire covering from each wire. (I like to remove a little bit more than usual because it can always be trimmed off if the wires don’t fit within the wire nuts.)

This fixture also comes with a gasket that goes on the back of the face plate (to prevent water from getting into the junction box.) Feed the wires through the gasket before the next step.

Step 4: Holding the fixture close to the junction box, connect the green ground wire from the light fixture with the green or bare wire from the junction box. Connect the white with the white wire and finally the black with the black wire. Secure all the connections with new wire nuts.

NOTE: For safety, all wire connections need to fit inside the wire nut with no bare wires exposed. If you want, you can wrap electrical tape around the wire nut and wires to fully seal and secure the connections.

Step 5: Gently fold the wires into the junction box behind the face plate or mounting plate. Lift the light fixture into place against the wall. Thread the two mounting screws through the holes in the mounting plate and into the junction box. Tighten the mounting screws.

Congratulations! You have just learned How to Hang a Barn Light!

Do you love the look of the barn light? Much better than the bare floodlights, right. I hope you’ll try installing an exterior light to your home, it’s not hard to do.