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DIY Wall Sconce Installation

October 16, 2018 By Chelsea Lipford Wolf 7 Comments

How to Install a Light Fixture without Wiring

White Farmhouse Sconce Over Ultrasound Picture in Frame

I mentioned in my last post on our kids’ room update, that I’d be back with a how-to post on installing their sweet wall sconces above their beds. The steps I took are specific to the fixture we used, but maybe a step in the process will work for you and inspire your creative side!

And just a reminder, this is the light fixture we purchased.*

Remove Wires

The first step was to remove the electrical components from the fixture. It was easier than I had planned for and I can still use it as a real light fixture in the future if I want! I simply unscrewed the small screw holding the lightbulb socket in place. The wires were attached to it so as I pulled the socket out, I also pulled out the wiring that went through to the other side.

Screw Holding Bulb Socket in Place Before Removal

Attach Puck Light

This is the real trick here, using battery-powered lights inside the light fixtures. (I first learned of this ‘magic light trick’ from Brooke at Nesting with Grace!) To attach them where we wouldn’t see them, I used some inexpensive, thin wire I got from the craft store several years ago. For my fixture, it simply looped through the socket screw hole.

Feeding Thin Wire Through Screw Hole in Wall Sconce

Then I took my battery-powered lights* apart and there were 2 holes in the back plate.

Holes in Bottom of Hockey Puck Light Base

I fed the wire through and tightened the plate to the light fixture.

Thin Wire Woven Through Holes in Light Base

All you have to do is attach the light itself to the plate and it’s ready to light up! It comes with a remote or you can push the light itself to turn it on and off.

Hockey Puck Light Installed Inside Wall Sconce

Create Blocking

I glued 2 pieces of scrap wood together to equal the depth of the hanging cavity of our light, about 1-3/4 inches. I cut them to the same length as the diameter of the fixture.

Wood Wedge the Same Depth As Electrical Hole in Sconce

But to make them really snug in the cavity, I cut 45 degree angles on 3 edges on each side so they would sink a little further.

45 Degree Angles Cut on Edges of Wood Blocking

You can see here how the angles help the blocking fill the cavity side-to-side while also sitting flush on the bottom. I didn’t want to have a gap around the fixture once it was up on the wall, so I needed it to not only hang on the blocking but fit snugly as one piece.

Fitting Wood Block into Wall Light Fixture

After dry-fitting the blocking, I added a small piece of 3M Command Strip to keep the light attached. I put it on the part of the blocking that would be on top once the fixture was hung on the wall. And for my fixture, it made since for it to also be on the part of the blocking near the bottom of the ‘bowl’ since it was larger and flatter.

Small Command Strip Used to Keep Bracket Attached to Fixture

Once the blocking was in place, I attached another full piece of Command Strip to the back to hang it on the wall.

3M Command Strip to Hand Sconce on Wall

Then you just peel off the backing on the adhesive, attach it to the wall and hold for a few seconds while the adhesive takes hold.

Wall Sconce Hung on Bedroom Wall without Electrical

Now with the push of a button, I can turn on both lights above my kids’ beds for story time and turn them off for bed time! So far it’s working great. I’m curious to see how long the batteries last, but it should be for quite some time since we only use them for about 20 minutes a day.

What rooms in your house could you use a little lighting magic? Share in the comments!

Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea

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Comments

  1. sissy says

    October 17, 2018 at 9:18 am

    it is amazing what you can do with led lights these days .I may have to try this in my new shed I am buying to give me a little light inside .It is just to store 2 ride on mowers so does not need electricity to it for now

    Reply
  2. Vicky Miller says

    July 24, 2019 at 5:00 pm

    OMG….. I use these pug lights all the time just about everywhere. I love them and needless to say I have to stock up on batteries. I’ve already purchased 4 sets. I love the ones that have the remote. I’m definitely gonna do this trick, probably some in different places. The remote is wonderful. I can already envision where I’m gonna put them. I have some old lamps that would work great and it’s fairly simple. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THE IDEA !!!!!!

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      July 29, 2019 at 4:22 pm

      We’re still using these every night to read bedtime stories to the kids! Definitely still recommend! 🙂 ~Chelsea

      Reply
  3. Jessica says

    February 22, 2020 at 1:34 am

    What kind of mounting plate originally came with the lamps? I do not have the ability to make a wood filler block to put in the fixture. Could command strips be added directly onto the original mounting hardware? Thank you

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      February 24, 2020 at 8:08 am

      Hi Jessica! These particular sconces are attached to their mounting hardware with a big bolt. If you want to use the included mounting bracket, you would need to drill a large hole in your wall for the bolt or cut the size of the bolt in order to secure the sconce to the mounting bracket. Hope that makes enough sense to inform your decision! ~Chelsea

      Reply
  4. Heather says

    February 9, 2021 at 11:39 am

    I was looking for a renter friendly solution to hanging my own magic lights, and lo and behold you beat me to it! 🙂 Nice job! Does the command strip hold pretty tightly to the wood?

    Reply
    • Chelsea Lipford Wolf says

      February 15, 2021 at 1:36 pm

      Yes, ours was pretty snug to the wall! ~Chelsea

      Reply

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