Using wall light fixtures

There ought to be a way to use the lighting locations. If controlled separately from other room lighting you can use them as downlighting on the layout with low watt bulbs 15-25 watts max, to create an ambiance of some sort, as some do with artwork.  Maybe accent portions of the layout at those locations. Like you say, it could be a shame to lose the option if it's already there.

Could the backdrop include a light pole, or fixture...moon...sun...something to fit with a light source?

You may be better off running them up the wall pocket to the top of the ceiling. that way you can keep the lights out of the modeling area...

Soooo.....be aware that it is not permissible by code to leave unconnected (even capped or taped) wires buried in a wall.  Code requires that wires no longer used must be terminated within a box with an access cover at the original location.  This is true for splices, also.  Alternatively, the cut wire(s) must be removed and/or a continuous wire run alternatively to a splice.  

Most of these types of jobs are best left to a qualified electrician.  And, as you can imagine, done properly may entail some not insignificant drywall work........(Yuck!.....I hate drywall patching/seaming!!)

If you've ever watched some of the home improvement shows on cable TV and seen the home wiring nightmares uncovered behind patched walls or replaced drywall....with no accessibility...you can better understand why building codes are written and enforced.  Some building codes I struggle to understand....but not many....and most certainly not this one.

Oh, and if you do cap the wires at the current box locations, be advised also that the access covers cannot be buried, either....behind wallpaper or model railroad backdrops...without retaining their accessibility.  IOW and for example, I had some renovations done on a bathroom at our house.  The electrician installed (per the architects drawings!) a pair of light/fan switches at the room entrance, but behind the door....on the hinge-side of the doorway!!!.  Well, considering the project timing, and otherwise mess to pull and re-run wires, we agreed to put a smooth cover on this box, now containing splices to a box on the non-hinge side of the doorway.  In this case it's hardly visible.  But when the first decor of the renovated room required wallpaper.....with a somewhat fussy pattern...the access cover had to be papered separately to blend in with the pattern.   We did this only once......the room is now painted.....along with that access cover.

FWIW, of course....

KD

There are plenty of small spot light fixtures that you could use as accent lights on the layout. Look at track lighting in your local Home Depot/ Lowes. Most have adapters that will allow you to mount the fixture right on the box.

Soooo.....be aware that it is not permissible by code to leave unconnected (even capped or taped) wires buried in a wall.

25+ years as a licensed electrician and I've dug out my share of buried splice boxes.

If you don't want to use them at all you can cover the boxes with a blank plate and put your scenic backdrops over them. The backdrops are not considered a permanent finish so no code violation.

Backdrop..sky?

Blue bulbs.

They will extend ambient light a similar color to the backdrop, effectively expanding it 

Nicer wall hung televisions actually cast colored lights past the frame to the wall to expand the percieved field of vision.

Instead of globes you may want to fabricate or buy sconces to direct the light and allow the backdrop to be closer to the wall.

If your backdrop reaches the ceiling, holes could produce "stars" for running at nigbt.

My backdrop is and old door skin. Over the knob hole I placed a peice of yellow cons truction paper for a sun. With the overhead light off and a landing light on, the sun becomes a glowing yellow moon.

The backdrop built as cover would stop light leaks if that bothers you.

And not just stars, it still could let buildings have lighted windows. Color gels and you have a red light on a tower or skyscraper too.

This is easier to see at night. The dark halo ring is harder to see and actual gives it depth more like a real sphere. Overhead is off on both shots, landing light is on in the bottom. Backdrop isnt done....really an experiment to see if I wanted one.

RSJB18 posted: 

If you don't want to use them (the lights) at all you can cover the boxes with a blank plate and put your scenic backdrops over them. The backdrops are not considered a permanent finish so no code violation.

Thanks for the clarification!  

Would that be true for a backdrop that is glued/pasted to the wall?  Seems like that might be considered 'wallpaper' to some home inspectors?  I can understand the acceptability if the backdrop is free-standing, or mounted on a separate substructure....which would, indeed, be considered not a permanent wall covering.  Also, the blank box covers I'm aware of are hardly flush with the drywall surface (at least the cover in the bathroom I mentioned above!), so there would be a 'cover-lump' in the backdrop, I suppose?

I know this is all probably moot, anyway.  As is so often mentioned in those home improvement episodes, the D.I.Y. guy/gal is going to do their electrical work with or without code guidance...as your 25+ years of  discoveries have verified!!  It's all about the bite down the road....if it ever happens...fire, shock, pre-sale/closure home inspections, etc., etc..

Thanks for all the input - much to consider 

When it comes to building codes it is always best to follow them.  There is a reason to address wire termination properly.  Your family safety.

A blank decorative cover will leave a slight bulge with darts in the back drop material. 

In basements you frequently can readily trace wall wire to a source.  Once you think you have isolated the entire wire check it with a continuity tester.  Sometimes if you are lucky DIY wire jobs can be pulled out of sloppy installs.  In any event. For safety cap all ends in a box with a j-box flat metal cover,  not a decorative plastic cover.  If using a paper backdrop, cut out the portion that runs over the flat metal cover .  Spackle up to but not over the cover and screws, then take the backdrop sample to a good paint match reader (HD, Lowes)  and get a $3.oo sample made for painting the flat J box cover and screws.  The finished job will be so secondary to your layout that it will not be a distraction. 

Safe, done, legal, no fire insurance company pushback, no suit from next home owners.

Go on to next project.

 Attachment flat/flush over top of the electric fixtures box would need an electrical box coverer first.

  On my idea I meant leave the fixture in place and build an box frame around with the backdrop an the boxes face, not refering to structure or an electrical box code; thats a given. Just an "artistic lamp shade". It can hang like a picture frame or be layout attached and pushed against the wall. Even screwed to the wall. Houshold wires splices the runs must be anchored firm and contained  to stop shorts & spred of flame should a short ever occur.

  Properly ventilated shade so it doesnt become an easybake oven

   L.E.D bulbs can solve that now too. Ive seen plenty of similar concept built custom fixtures in businesses and theater everywhere. 

dkdkrd posted:

RSJB18 posted: 

If you don't want to use them (the lights) at all you can cover the boxes with a blank plate and put your scenic backdrops over them. The backdrops are not considered a permanent finish so no code violation.

Thanks for the clarification!  

Would that be true for a backdrop that is glued/pasted to the wall?  Seems like that might be considered 'wallpaper' to some home inspectors?  I can understand the acceptability if the backdrop is free-standing, or mounted on a separate substructure....which would, indeed, be considered not a permanent wall covering.  Also, the blank box covers I'm aware of are hardly flush with the drywall surface (at least the cover in the bathroom I mentioned above!), so there would be a 'cover-lump' in the backdrop, I suppose?

I know this is all probably moot, anyway.  As is so often mentioned in those home improvement episodes, the D.I.Y. guy/gal is going to do their electrical work with or without code guidance...as your 25+ years of  discoveries have verified!!  It's all about the bite down the road....if it ever happens...fire, shock, pre-sale/closure home inspections, etc., etc..

Would that be true for a backdrop that is glued/pasted to the wall?

yes- since you can see the lump it would not be considered buried.

Also, the blank box covers I'm aware of are hardly flush with the drywall surface

Depending on the type of box in the wall there are blank covers that would be more flush than the typical finished blank covers

This fits a typical light box- called a 4" round blank

This is a handy box blank. Will fit the typical rectangular gem boxes.

As TOMTEE mentioned- basement wiring is usually easy to trace out unless the room is totally finished. If you want to get rid of them all together you can probably locate the wire and remove it. If you disconnect the wires at the switch (hot and neutral), and remove that wire from the box (clip the wires short in the back of the box and push them out with a screw driver), so it cannot accidentally be connected later by someone else, then you can abandon the light fixture boxes in place and cover them.

Bob

I had wall lights along a wall in a spare room where I needed to run hidden staging.  I opted to replace the wall lights with a 4 gang socket.  This is not a scenery area.  The extra outlets were a welcome addition.

All junction boxes must be readily accessed.  Not behind wall paper.