Art Deco Light Fixture: Installation Tips

Give your home a touch of opulence and festivity while illuminating a room with an Art Deco light fixture. Materials such as aluminum, stainless steel, lacquer and inlaid wood help to give Art Deco its characteristic modern style, reminiscent of 1920s post-war architecture. An Art Deco light fixture will add elements of glamour and functionality, increasing the aeshetic value of your space.

You will need a screwdriver, a circuit tester and perhaps a wire stripper for this project. Follow these steps to replace an already-existing fixture:

1. While the light switch in the room is off, locate and turn off the circuit at the main circuit panel.
2. With a screwdriver, remove the casing of the old fixture. Take note of the way the wires, the old fixture, and the power cable fit together so you will be able to attach the new fixture in the same way. If you have to make new holes in the wall or ceiling for the new fixture, do so at this time.
3. If there is a mounting bracket already installed, great. If not, one must be firmly attached to either a wall stud or a ceiling joist. Any new hole must be made with this in mind.
4. Remove the wire nuts. With the circuit tester, make sure there is no current flowing to the fixture. No light on the tester means that there is no current.
5. Attach the wires to the new fixture in the same way that they were attached to the old fixture. Typically, there will be a white (neutral), a black (hot), and an exposed copper (ground) wire. Affix the ground to the bracket, then the neutral, followed by the hot. Attach the new fixture to the bracket, carefully tucking the wires inside as you do.
6. Install the casing (if there is one) of the new fixture and make sure the entire thing is securely fastened to the wall or ceiling.
7. If everything was done properly and in good order, you are ready to put in an energy-saving light bulb, turn on the circuit power at the breaker panel, and flip the light switch.

Electrical and electronics wiring doesn’t require an electrician, but it does demand that you take the time to educate yourself about the procedure and do it properly to avoid serious injury or potential damage to your home.