How to Add an Overhead Light to a Kitchen Without Drilling

Select a general area of your kitchen ceiling, near a wall electric outlet, to install a lightweight light such as a paper lantern.

Position your stepladder under the spot, climb the ladder and ask a helper to hand you the light and help select an exact position for it. Mark the spot with your pencil, then set the light aside.

Fill a sink with warm soapy water and three drops of mild detergent. Swirl the water around with a cloth, then wring out the cloth.

Wipe the ceiling to remove any dirt, dust and grease from it. Rinse out the cloth and wipe the ceiling again with the damp cloth to remove soap residues. When you're finished, dry the ceiling completely with another cloth.

Remove the paper backing from your industrial-strength adhesive ceiling hook. If the specific brand of hook you purchased don't have adhesive preinstalled on the back of the hook, remove the paper from one side of the included section of adhesive-coated foam, press the adhesive side against the back of your hook, then remove the paper from the side facing away from the hook back.

Align the back of the hook with the mark on your ceiling. Push the hook onto the ceiling and hold it in place for 30 seconds or longer, as instructed on the packaging for the specific brand of hooks you're using. If recommended by the hook manufacturer, wait for the adhesive to cure after you affix the hook before proceeding with attaching your light.

Hang your light from the hook, then plug its power cord into the electrical outlet. If you can't hook your light onto the hook, tie a piece of monofilament fishing line to the light, then attach the line to the hook. If the cord isn't long enough, attach an extension cord.

Affix the light's cord, or the cord and an extension cord, to the ceiling and wall with electrical tape so it's out of the way.