8 Closet Lighting Ideas to Brighten Any Wardrobe

No closet is complete without lighting, and the exact type of fixture you choose for the space is entirely up to you.

“When it comes to closet lighting, there are no hard and fast rules,” says Becky Shea, founder of Becky Shea Design. “I experimented with pendants, high tops, spotlights and recessed lighting—you name it. It all fits your space and style.”

While there’s nothing like natural light streaming into a closet, this setup is rare, so overhead lighting is the next best option.

“It will provide soft, even lighting and also create fewer shadows,” says Breslin.

However, remember that the temperature of the light is critical. Shea recommends using a 2700K soft white or warm white lamp as it will give your clothing a realistic look, making it a useful option.

Below we’ve rounded up 15 beautiful and practical closet lighting ideas to help brighten up your closet.

01 Pick a Pendant Light With Character

Add personality to your wardrobe by choosing a pendant light with an unusual shape. This geometric design instantly adds interest to the space while providing ample brightness throughout.

02 Go Antique

If you prefer a more vintage look, choose an antique pendant lamp like this one. Full of charm, its petite size is ideal for small spaces such as restrooms.

03 Hang Sconces

If you’re building a closet from scratch, consider whether you want to add wall sconces or not. Shea stresses the importance of thinking ahead and planning for electrical or outlet wiring.

“It’s especially important in smaller spaces to make the most of every square inch of your facility to illuminate your garments,” she says.

04 Stick on Some Strips

Add LED strip lights to your shelves so you can fully admire all your clothes and accessories even after dark. You’ll never lose everything you have on hand because everything is easy to view and access.

05 Embrace Natural Light

If your closet has a window like this, the lighting can be a little more minimal—instead, take advantage of all the natural sunlight that comes inside.

“If you’re lucky enough to have windows, natural light is ideal,” says Breslin. “It will highlight your clothes and accessories with the perfect color and reduce shine.”

Brian Johnson, CEO of Shades of Light, said: “This is where simple flat ball mounts are the ideal solution and are prized by experts as they add a dull style to a room.

Choosing a short pendant light or a flush mount light is also very practical.

“Space utilization becomes much more important when there is less room to move, so people tend to store things as high as possible,” says Johnson.

06 Go Glam

07 Try a Glass Pendant

Recessed lighting and glass pendants combine harmoniously in this cabinet. A glass lamp is ideal if you are looking for something that takes up minimal visual space but still looks elegant.

Johnson recommends including a small chandelier to illuminate your space if you consider it a personal sanctuary. This will give it personality.

08 Double Up on Chandeliers

The larger your closet, the more lighting you can add. Why not go big if you have the space? Here, two beautiful chandeliers add charm to the space and also illuminate both ends of the space so you can always see what you’re looking for.