How about putting a ceiling in the closet? Would solve your lighting problem and reduce dust in the closet. If you stick with recessed cans, maybe try to find one with a deep black baffle. Depending on where the bed is situated, it may eliminate the glare from seeing the actual lamp (bulb). The con is that depending on ceiling color, a black baffle may stick out in your ceiling. The other option to reduce glare is an alzak reflector. Also use a lamp with a narrow beam pattern; even narrow flood might be okay. I agree. I wouldn't want pendant rods blocking my view out the window. Are wall mounted lights an option? You may lose some closet space, but it would definitely solve your problem. Be mindful of placement and bulb type to reduce the chances of burning something. Hmm..wonder if it's against code. If you go this route, I would still have ceiling cans so you don't end up with a dark ceiling over the closet.

Home Depot periodically (maybe quarterly) has free upgrades to solid core with Jen Weld. You can also find a larger selection of brands and better quality doors (not referring to JW, I don't know where they stand) at some lumber yards. This post was edited by snookums2 on Sat, May 4, 13 at 14:16

After a bit of research and considering replacing a few other doors on the same floor , I've decided to look for solid wood, 5-panel, to stain (not paint). I like the frosted panels on the 72" width (2x 36" bypass doors for the closet), and all wood (including panels) for 3 other doors, would also be 5-panel (also solid wood doors, stained same as closet door), 1 x (30"x"80), 2 x (36"x"80). For closet w/ frosted panels I was quoted Hemlock wood for $399 (for each 36" wide door) and Mahogany for $299 each. For Hemlock all wood (including panels), price was $169 and White Oak $259. Do these prices seem reasonable? Any advantage other than looks for the 2 types of wood, for instance, weight, susceptibility to warping, etc ? All doors are 1 3/8" width which seems standard. I am a bit concerned about how heavy they might be, especially for sliding and being quiet, but I imagine that might more depend on the hardware quality. Not crazy about the barn door look myself but thanks for the feedback. Thanks!

I know what you saying ladies, it's always good to have an extra opening. I guess the way they looking at it if you awake, you can hear the smoke alarm and have enough time to escape simply put... If you sleeping you might not hear the alarm, and by the time you hear it and wake up, it could be too late, so each sleeping room must have an additional escape route or rescue entry point so the fireman can climb in and out wearing full gear. I can see in NY this being enforced more because most houses are attached and even single family homes are semi-attached or separated by the driveway... not to mention they make any hole in the wall habitable because they rent them for 1k a month... You see basements with a stove next to a bed and table and a clothes hanger and they get 1000- 1500 a month.