How To Install A Flush Mount Ceiling Light — 8 Easy Steps

Flush mount ceiling lights are unique because they can be used literally anywhere in the home. Even if you have pretty low ceilings, a flush mount light fixture will still be great to use, unlike many other fixtures.

This type of fixture sits just against the ceiling, and though it might not be as glamorous as many other fixture types, it is great when it comes to blending decor. Also, it does not let in dust as much as many other fixtures do.

This is why this type of ceiling fixture is always considered a lovely option for basic home improvement.

You may know how to install a ceiling light fixture, but might be lost when it comes to this type.

So, yeah, today, we will be guiding you through installing a flush mount ceiling fixture step by step. But before we get to that, what will you need?

How To Install A Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Photo by Pixabay from Pexels

Stuff You Might Need

A Screwdriver: the new fixture you are about to install surely has screws, so, of course, you will need a screwdriver for those screws when the time comes.

Voltage tester: in installing this fixture, you will be dealing with wires, so, make sure you have this ready, because you will be needing it to check if any wire is live or not.

Neoteck Non-Contact Voltage Tester 12-1000V AC Voltage Detector Pen Circuit Tester Tool with Led Flashlight Beeper Pocket Clip-Orange

Click here to check this out and buy on Amazon.

Wire nuts: for connecting the wires of your fixture and the wires in the ceiling together. You could use those from the existing fixture if they are still in good enough shape.

Step ladder: to get you up to the ceiling. A step stool could also do the job in the absence of a ladder.

How Do You Install A Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture?

1. Turn Off Power

Always remember that this will always be step 1 when it comes to dealing with anything that involves electrical wires.

And no, not just the light switch. Locate the fuse box in your home and turn off the switch which supplies light to the room you are about to work on.

It is also advisable that you put a note over that switch in the fuse box indicating that it is off for a reason, so that someone doesn’t put it back on while you are working with wires without knowing. That would be very dangerous.

If you aren’t able to figure out which switch is for what room, then it may do you good to just cut off power to the entire house for the 30 minutes – 1 hour you will be installing your new light fixture.

2. Remove The Old Fixture

How To Install A Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Photo by Bernard Hermant on Unsplash

If there is a fixture currently mounted there, then carefully take out the light bulbs and dismantle it. Disconnect the wires and then set it apart.

3. Install Fixture Bracket

Now, if the light fixture which was previously installed uses the same bracket as the one you are about to install, then it is okay to leave it there.

However, if they don’t match, then you would have to remove it from the electrical box and mount a new one.  

4. Test The Wires

At this time, you must be exposed to the junction box and all the wires within. Yes, power has been turned off, but to be double sure, test the wires with your voltage tester. They should all be dead.

If they are not, do not touch! Go back and check your fuse box and be sure you turned off the right switch. Until you have tested and are sure that there is no live wire up there, please, do not go any further with the installation.

5. Connect The Wires

Now that you are sure that the wires are dead, you can go ahead to connect the new fixture wires to the wires from the ceiling.

Be careful to join the ground wire from the fixture to the ground wire in the ceiling. Do the same for the white wire and the black wire. The ground wire will most likely be green in color or a bare copper wire.

After joining the wires, hold them together with the wire nuts so that they don’t loosen. Then fold them neatly and fit them into the junction box.

6. Mount The Fixture & Attach Bulbs

Photo by Mauro Soncin on Unsplash

After the wiring has been done, mount the base of the new fixture against the bracket and put the mounting screws in then tighten with the screwdriver.

When that has been done, attach light bulbs to the socket and you are almost done with your installation. But hey, remember to use bulbs with matching wattage as the ones that were previously there.

Also, we recommend that you use LED or fluorescent bulbs instead of incandescent ones. LED and fluorescent bulbs use up a lot less energy than incandescent light bulbs.

7. Install Fixture Dome/Covering

Now, fix the dome or glass covering following the instructions given by the manufacturer. Different fixtures come with different types of domes, and therefore, different ways of installing them.

How To Install A Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Photo by Jon Tyson on Unsplash

8. Turn Power Back On

Now, you can go back to your fuse box and turn the switch back on. Your new fixture should produce light at this point.

If it doesn’t, then you probably got it wrong somewhere, perhaps with the wiring. So, turn the power back off and go over and check again.

Make sure that the fixture wires were connected properly to their corresponding wires in the ceiling. 

Well, if you are feeling up for some home improvement, then perhaps you could consider this flush-mount fixture for under 50 dollars.

FERWVEW Black Crystal Ceiling Light, Flush Mount Ceiling Light Fixture Ceiling Lamp with Crystal Beads for Bedroom Hallway Living Room Kitchen...

Click here to check this out and buy on Amazon.

Leave a Comment