How to Add a Fixture to an Electrical Outlet

Locate the breaker box in your home and shut off the power.

Unscrew the plate cover from the electrical outlet with a screwdriver.

Remove the existing electrical box from the wall. Use a flat pry bar to detach the box from the wall stud.

Cut a hole in the drywall for the larger electrical box with a utility knife.

Install the new electrical box in the wall. Thread the wiring through the back of the electrical box. Push the box into place and tighten the screws that pull it against the drywall.

Cut a hole in the ceiling for the ceiling electrical box with a utility knife. Install the ceiling electrical box per manufacturer directions.

Run a 12/2 nonmetallic (NM) electrical cable from the ceiling electrical box to the electrical box on the wall. Cut the cable so there is approximately 24 inches of extra wire.

Strip away 6 inches of sheathing on the ends of the electrical cable. Underneath there will be three wires. Use wire strippers to remove approximately ½-inch of plastic sheathing from the ends of each of these wires.

Connect the wiring together. Match together the ends of the white wires from the light switch, electrical outlet, and the two electrical cables. Twist the ends together and screw a wire nut over the top of them. Repeat with the black wires and the green ground wires.

Push the wiring into the electrical box in the wall. Screw the outlet and the light switch into place with a screwdriver. Screw a plate over the top of the electrical box.

Install the light fixture in the ceiling electrical box per manufacturer directions. Turn on the power.