Types of Puck Lights & Closet Lites

Battery Puck Lights

• Puck lights that run off of batteries are more convenient for lighting closets because no wiring is required. Features vary by brand. Some swivel and allow for angling the light differently, which can help when looking for something. Some puck lights have a power saving feature that shuts them off after an hour. They do come in a variety of colors, the most common variations being black, white and silver.

Bar Fluorescent Lights

• Bar lights that run off batteries are another good option for closet lighting. They generally offer pull chains, so these lights can be reached by children or people of shorter stature, while still lighting the whole closet. These operate off fluorescent bulbs, which means the bulb is replaceable, whereas the puck lights as a whole have to be replaced.

Motion Activated Lights

• Some light companies sell battery-operated porch lights that are motion activated, and these can easily be used indoors. These are useful because the motion of opening the closet door activates the light, and shuts off automatically a few minutes after the door is shut. It stays on longer than someone who vigilantly shuts it off, but for someone who forgets to switch the closet light off, this is an energy saver.

Wired Lights

• Wired light options for closets are harder to get installed, but they are a permanent option that doesn't require changing batteries. Switches can be installed in doors so the light comes on and off when the door is opened or closed, so no light is wasted and there's no fumbling for a switch or a pull in the dark. This is a more expensive option, but it can permanently make a closet more accessible.