Layer the light
Use ambient light for the room, task light along rods and shelves and accent light for displays.
Ambient light fills the room, task light shows you what is in front of you and accent light adds depth to displays. Most closets feel flat when they have only one of these.
Pick the right color temperature
Around 3000 to 4000 Kelvin looks natural for most closets. Warmer is cozy, cooler is crisp.
If your closet has a window, look at the clothes at different times of day. Natural light is cooler than evening light, and a color that looked right in the afternoon may look different at night.
Look for a high CRI
A color rendering index of 90 or more shows navy and black differently and makes colors true.
CRI measures how faithfully a light shows color. Cheap LEDs can make navy look black and tan look gray, which is a real problem when you are getting dressed.
Place light where you need it
Put light in front of hanging clothes, inside drawers and on shelves, not just on the ceiling.
Hanging rods and shelves cast shadows on clothes below. A strip of light on the front edge of each shelf or just in front of the rod keeps the shadows away.
Add sensors and dimmers
Motion and door sensors make light automatic. Dimmers set the mood.
Door-activated switches are a good choice for walk-ins, and motion sensors work well for pantries and garages. Both save energy and the hassle of finding a switch with an armful of laundry.
Light the clothes, not just the room, and choose warm-neutral LEDs with high CRI.
