Light a Storage Room With LED Rope Light

I have storage closets in my basement that have a single light bulb and a pull string switch - good light right by it, but bad when you get into the corners, or under the stairs. Now that LED lights are coming down in price I decided to figure out a way to light the space - as easily as I could.

First thing to do is go to the hardware store and get what I needed:

1 LED rope light - 18ft for this space - $30

1 Lamp holder to outlet adapter - $1.88

1 pack 7/8" Cable Staple - $2.25

1 hammer - this I had already

and a step stool or ladder to reach up high

Step 1: Plug It In, Plug It In

Begin by removing the old light bulb (be careful if it was on before it may be HOT - use gloves or a towel or just turn it off and wait for it to cool down some)

Screw in the Lamp holder to outlet adapter

Plug in the rope light and uncoil it

Turn on the socket (the LED will NOT get hot so it's easy to work with and gives you light while working)

nail up the cord near the outlet to relieve the strain

Step 2: The Big Bang

Most of my area was open so I fed the light over the air duct and nailed up the staples

Since this is in a storage area I am not concerned with appearance - Just light and being out of the way.

Take care not to hammer on the rope itself - or your thumb - breaking either would be no fun.

I found that they didn't stay in the Sheetrock very well - the nails are only about 1/2" long, so I went into the joist overhead.

I now have light where it was to dark to see before. If you need more light you can add to the end of these - up to 288 feet the box says.

Only took about 45 minutes to complete - and replaced a 60 watt bulb with 12 watt rope.