Discover wall sconces that are all style, no wires
Wall sconces are an easy and unobtrusive way to brighten any room, but sometimes your electrical wiring might not stretch as far as your creative vision. Fortunately, you can install wall sconces without wiring to achieve a simple, affordable reinvention of your space. Follow the four easy steps below to quickly install your wireless wall sconce, so you can enjoy these lighting fixtures anywhere in your home.
Before you install your wall sconces, it’s a good idea to shop around and find the best designs for wireless lighting. You’ll also need to find puck lights and gather supplies for attaching the sconce to your wall, depending on how you want to do it.
Finding the perfect type of wall sconce is mostly about personal taste, but there are also a few technical requirements to keep in mind. You’ll need to find a sconce that has a wide enough shade to fit a puck light inside—so it can be wireless—and enough surface area inside the base to securely stick the puck.
Since puck lights deliver function more than style, opaque sconces tend to be the best fit so they won’t reveal the wireless light inside.
Puck lights are small, battery-operated lights that are about 2.5 inches in diameter. You can find puck lights with a variety of different features including timer systems, color-change lights, and dimmable lights.
One of the most important features for wall sconce puck lights is that they include a remote. Since your sconces aren’t wired, you won’t be able to flick them on and off with a wall switch. Having remote-operated puck lights lets you control your lights without having to reach under the sconce every time.
You can also check the average lifespan of different puck lights and how many hours you’ll get per battery before you buy, so you can minimize how often you need to change the batteries.
While you don’t need to worry about wiring, you’ll still have to attach the lighting fixture securely to your wall. Screwing the sconce into the wall is generally the sturdiest option and is recommended for high-traffic areas, like hallways, where someone might bump into it.
If you’re installing your sconce in a lower-traffic space, like above the mantelpiece, and you don’t want to put any holes in the wall, you may be able to use an adhesive. Make sure your adhesive hanging strips are strong enough to support the weight of your sconce.
Once you’ve found the right puck lights and know how you’re going to attach your fixture to the wall, it takes just a few easy steps to actually install the sconce.
From ambient lighting to task lighting, wall sconces can be used to create several different types of light. When you’re choosing where to install your sconce, consider whether you’d like the light to bounce off the walls and ceilings or point down at a table, chair, or countertop to focus on a task.
Place your sconce on the area of the wall where you’re planning to attach it. Then use a pencil to trace around the mounting plate. Especially if you’re installing multiple wall sconces, this is a good way to ensure they’re evenly spaced and that you’ll know what they’ll look like before you start drilling or placing adhesive.
Depending on the size of your sconce’s mounting plate, you may be able to tuck the wires inside the plate. If the plate is too small to hide the wires, you can trim them down with a pair of wire cutters.
Tape the wires down inside the mounting plate, so they don’t get in your way when you’re screwing on the sconces.
Before you attach the puck lights, check that they’re working properly and have fresh batteries. Although you can always swap out the batteries after your sconce is attached, it’s more convenient to do it beforehand.
Peel off the backing from the puck light, and stick it securely inside the sconce shade. If you’re worried about it falling off, feel free to use some tape for extra security. There’s plenty of flexibility here, as the wire-free method means minimal fire risks—any creative DIY work will be hidden under the shade.
Now that your sconce and light are ready to go, it’s time to fix it to the wall. Most wall sconces will come with manufacturer instructions that recommend screwing the sconce into the wall. Drill your screw holes and attach the mounting plate to the wall as you would with any other lighting fixture, then attach the shade if it doesn’t come pre-assembled.
If you’re using adhesive instead, follow the instructions on the strips to attach it to the mounting plate and the wall.
Once attached, your new wall sconces are ready to go, no wiring required!
Installing wall sconces without wiring is a doable DIY project for most homeowners since you won’t be dealing with any wiring. The cost to install wired wall sconces is about $300 per fixture, so this can be a great way to save money while creating a beautiful atmosphere.
If you love the look of your wall sconces and want a permanent installation, it may be worth investing in wired sconces. Not only are these more convenient (you’ll never have to worry about replacing batteries or losing the puck light remote), but you’ll also have more options in sconce shades and light bulb types. If you’re ready to install wired wall sconces, a local light installation company near you can help you create a beautiful, long-lasting lighting fixture.
Command™ strips can be an easy way to hang wireless wall sconces without putting holes in your wall. These work best for lighter wall sconces, since they aren’t able to carry as much weight as screws.
If you’re hanging a sconce using Command™ strips, you’ll need to leave enough time for the strips to reach maximum strength (usually about an hour) before you attach the sconce.
Since your wall sconces have puck lights inside, it’s best to hang them at eye level to conceal the area underneath the shade. The ideal height will also depend on the direction of the sconce—if your shades face downward you’ll want to hang them slightly lower, while upward-facing sconces can be placed a bit higher.
