Asked on Mar 13, 2012
Need advice on how to drape this light
by Louie J
+19
The cord provided with this light is too long and it is looking kinda funky hanging with so much slack. Are there any guidelines for how much slack to have when draping a light like this? Any advice appreciated!
22 answers
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you should be able to pull the slack back through the canopy at the ceiling . It may create too much slack in the box, if so, undo the wiring and cut the excess off. Then take some strippers and strip off enough of each wire to reconnect. I would leave just enough slack to have a little bit of a sag, you dont want the wire so short it runs straight to the hook, that will look funny.
![Burco Surface & Decor LLC.]()
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Mar 13, 2012
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How would a cord cover look on that?
![Becky H]()
Becky H
on Mar 13, 2012
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Bad!! the ideal thing to do would be to move the box. It looks like the box could be moved without any sheet rock damage. the place the fixture is hanging from looks like it is at most one bay over from the existing box. The only thing that would need to be patched would be where the box is now, or you could get away with just a blank plate over it. If you have the box moved you wouldnt have any wire draping and the fixture would hang straight down. I do concrete countertops, but, I am a licensed electrician also.
![Burco Surface & Decor LLC.]()
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Mar 13, 2012
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Another thought on this from the female perspective: You could make a cord cover which is what we do in design & decor to hide the mechanics. Now here's the sticky part - I don't know which gender you are so if Lew is a guys name and your're not particularly handy w/a needle & thread or a hot glue gun I guess you gotta talk to Mom or a girlfriend. Anyway, measure the length of the cord - if you cover the cord it dresses it up ALOT and you could probably skip the need to shorten it. If your cord is say 36" you need appx twice that for the "gathering" so two length of 72" x 2 or 2.5" wide wired ribbon. Wired makes the gathering look better. Because you lamp is wired into the ceiling you'll need to do this in place. Place a piece of the ribbon on each side of the cord starting where it meets the top of the lamp and simply run a very thin bead of glue (Low temp hot glue sticks allow you to press the ribbon together w/o burning the heck out of yourself) Once you've done both sides of the ribbon hold it in place against the ceiling and adjust down the length of the cord until the gathering is evenly spaced. If you don't want to use hot glue, a needle & thread works fine too - just do wide running stitches close to the edge of the wire and after your done and have the gathering in place the stitches won't show. I have a couple of pictures showing you how this looks - they're both C'mas but you'll get the idea. I HOPE this helps and doesn't sound too complicated. IF you choose to go this route and need some clarification please do not hesistate to ask. THX
![Susan S]()
Susan S
on Mar 13, 2012
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OK, so we compromise BS&D!! YOU move "the box" but the naked cord still needs to be covered!!!! Mars vs. Venus
![Susan S]()
Susan S
on Mar 13, 2012
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I would not suggest moving the junction box as you may end up with dry wall repair. From the picture it appears that the fixture is hanging by the cord itself, and if so, this is a safety issue. Either buy a swag kit at either of the big boxes, or a canopy with a chain hook and enough decorative chain to connect to the fixture, and swag the fixture, you can cut the existing cord to reduce the excess length. BTW: if you move the junction box and must extend the wire from the old location to the new, you cannot cover that connection with dry wall........it is a code violation to do so Have fun, Gary
![LandlightS]()
LandlightS
on Mar 14, 2012
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if she wanted to cover the old box just turn it around to face inside the attic, put on a blank cover where you have access and no code problems. Susan, when she said cord cover i pictured channel molding, the picture you posted looks much better than anything i had in mind. I could move that box and not have any sheet rock damage at all. It may even be in the same bay as the hook its hanging from.
![Burco Surface & Decor LLC.]()
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Mar 14, 2012
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Burro.....assuming there is an attic........?
![LandlightS]()
LandlightS
on Mar 14, 2012
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Lew 1, did we overwhelm you? You seem to have disappeared after posting your question!! Whatever you decide to do or not do, you can simply go buy a cord cover. When a cord is left exposed on a hanging lamp it just looks like_________! !
![Susan S]()
Susan S
on Mar 15, 2012
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Although we aren't opposed to cord covers, on a contemporary hanging light like this one, we prefer the cord left bare, once the excess slack is removed, of course! We'd probably take out about 8 inches or so.
![Project Style, LLC]()
Project Style, LLC
on Mar 15, 2012
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mmmmmmmmmm - I guess at the end of the day it all boils down to personal preference. It is definitely a more contemporary light but a cord cover, something in keeping with the organic, rattan-woven feel of the shade would give it a more finished look. Potatoe - Po-TOT-OE ; ~ )
![Susan S]()
Susan S
on Mar 15, 2012
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It would be helpful to run the cord back and forth through a brass chain. The chain will help it drape and you can use the chain to hang it so it won't damage the cord. You can buy this chain by the foot at the hardware store.
![Leta S]()
Leta S
on Mar 19, 2012
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Ya know what folks? While we've been batting around ideas and possible solutions, I don't think poor Lew cares anymore - seems to have gone MIA on us!! LOL
![Susan S]()
Susan S
on Mar 19, 2012
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haha, i think your right
![Burco Surface & Decor LLC.]()
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Mar 19, 2012
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You need a fabric cord cover. They come in all colors and fabrics. Look at a lighting store.
![Patricia M]()
Patricia M
on Apr 01, 2012
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May I suggest a new better chandelier & getting rid of this one???? Would solve all problems....:)
![Jan Loehr]()
Jan Loehr
on Sep 13, 2014
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Add an extra hook in the ceiling to take up some of the slack and make it "drape". Then read others' comments about covers/chains, etc.
![Sharon Russell]()
Sharon Russell
on Oct 06, 2014
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You can buy inconspicuous cord covers to run across the ceiling if you'd rather keep clean lines instead of a swag, then either thread thru a chain, macrame around the cord or cover in cloth. I guess the cord should go through something that is structurally sound so the pressure is not on the cord.
![Loretta Clark]()
Loretta Clark
on Jan 22, 2015
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Hey, has anyone heard from Lew lately? :- )
![Lori]()
Lori
on Mar 16, 2015
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Once you get the safety issues out of the way, a vine would look pretty and cover up the cord.
![Vicki McNabb]()
Vicki McNabb
on Apr 29, 2015
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Needs extra hook , and you can make your on cord cover out of any color or fabrics.
![Angela Winters]()
Angela Winters
on May 29, 2015
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I would need to see the whole room. But from what i can see is i would also use the cord cover, but also do without the hook and shorten the cord, have the light closer to the ceiling. I also love medallions and they can really add an elegance. Good luck i hope you find what makes you happy.
![Diane]()
Diane
on Nov 17, 2016
Burco Surface & Decor LLC.
on Mar 13, 2012
Becky H
on Mar 13, 2012
Susan S
on Mar 13, 2012
LandlightS
on Mar 14, 2012
Project Style, LLC
on Mar 15, 2012
Leta S
on Mar 19, 2012
Patricia M
on Apr 01, 2012
Jan Loehr
on Sep 13, 2014
Sharon Russell
on Oct 06, 2014
Loretta Clark
on Jan 22, 2015
Lori
on Mar 16, 2015
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