Sandy and I visited a new home for sale today that was loaded with custom features and it had a great floor plan, too.
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying…”The simplest ideas are sometimes the best ideas.”
Or…”Ingenuity is born of necessity.”
This is one of those ingenious — albeit simplistic — ideas.
A Bright Idea For The Pantry (Or Any Small Room With A Door)
Basically, the pantry light operated exactly like a refrigerator light — with the same door switch mechanism:
- When the door opens, the light comes on.
- When you shut the door, the light goes off.
It’s activated by an automatic door light switch.
Right now you might be asking yourself, “How did he know the light was off before the door was opened and after it was closed?”
Ha… I say to you! Answer: There was a transom window above the pantry door:
Why An Automatic Door Light Switch Is So Great
The automatic door light switch is a great little feature for this reason:
When you go into the pantry to gather the ingredients you’re after, your hands are going to be full when you come out.
No worries. Close the door with your foot or hip and the pantry light goes out!
There’s only one thing that I would have done differently with the pantry light:
It would be great to make it a little less utilitarian looking and a little more decorative — while at the same time much brighter than the fixture currently installed. I didn’t think it was bright enough for the task and, of course, it was… well… ugly.
But it might be something to add to your personal list of wants for your next new home. You could easily adapt this idea to work in a linen closet or laundry room, as well!
Here’s how to do it yourself:
I started as a home-stalker… visiting brand new homes under construction in the neighborhoods near my house.
That inspired me to write about home building and home renovation projects — chronicling homes during different phases of construction from a consumer’s point-of-view. Basically, the tips you’ll find in my articles are a collection of checklists for what I think should (and should not) go into building or remodeling a quality home.
