I know it’s a bold statement, but I think lighting might just be the most important element of home decor. Sure, you need to furnish a room before lighting can really work its magic, but it can truly make or break your home. Even the most beautifully styled room can feel uninviting with harsh, clinical lighting—and all the plush throw blankets and pillows in the world won’t be enough to make it feel cozy. Great lighting can transform a space from a sterile showroom to a warm, lived-in home.
The golden rule of life may be to treat others as you want to be treated, but in home decor, it’s to avoid using overhead lighting at all costs. The “big light” can immediately kill any ambiance you’ve created, and no matter the bulb, it simply can’t replicate the serene glow of ambient light. Lamps are an obvious solution, but there’s one often overlooked option that adds character, requires virtually zero effort to install, and provides the perfect mood lighting: plug-in wall sconces.
How to Add Wall Sconces Without Existing Wiring
When mounted to a wall, sconces serve both decorative and functional purposes (i.e., filling up empty wall space while making your home’s lighting so much cozier). Some models require hardwiring to install, but thankfully, there are plenty of plug-in sconce options that make setup as easy as mounting it to the wall and plugging it into the nearest outlet. If the thought of exposed wires already has your heart racing, don’t worry—you can easily disguise them with a cable cover that matches your wall color. You can even make wired wall sconces work wirelessly by attaching battery-operated puck lights where you would typically screw in the lightbulb.
How to Choose a Wall Sconce
There are many types of sconces to choose from, depending on the effect you want to create in your space. Just to name a few examples: Downlight sconces cast light down along the wall, so they’re ideal for making a room feel more intimate or highlighting certain features like built-ins. Uplight sconces, on the other hand, direct light toward the ceiling, adding height and casting a calming light across your room. Swing-arm sconces extend outward, allowing you to adjust the light’s direction, and picture light sconces shine directly onto artwork to showcase it. With so many options available, it’s best to start by considering the type of lighting you need. Are you looking to create a cozy reading nook with a downlight sconce? Highlight a piece of art with a picture light? Or simply add a soft glow to the room? If you’re still unsure how to incorporate plug-in wall sconces into your home, here are a few styling ideas to get you started:
How to Style Wall Sconces
1. Replace your bedside table lamps
If you’re anything like me, fitting all your nighttime essentials on your bedside table can feel impossible. Every evening, my lamp, water bottle, alarm clock, and Kindle battle for space, and something inevitably ends up on the floor. If you similarly wish you had some extra room on your nightstands, plug-in wall sconces are a stylish lamp alternative. Simply center the sconces above your nightstands, and make sure to hang them with the on/off switch within easy reach—no need to get out of bed to adjust the lights.
2. Highlight artwork
Picture light sconces are an incredible way to allow your artwork to shine (literally). They quickly elevate your favorite pieces, adding a gallery-level touch that makes your space feel polished and intentional. So you aren’t distracting from the art, run the sconce’s cord directly behind to disguise it. If you don’t have a specific piece you want to highlight, consider using sconces to emphasize a gallery wall. Place them above to illuminate and add texture, or incorporate a sconce within the gallery for a more eclectic look.
3. Frame your TV or fireplace
Most living room layouts are arranged with a TV or fireplace as the focal point, which makes this the perfect area for some well-placed sconces. Adding a pair on either side of your TV or fireplace is an easy, low-effort way to create visual interest and boost the overall ambiance. Plus, sconces provide mood lighting in spots where a floor lamp might feel overwhelming or obstruct your view and a table lamp might not have a place to sit. Hang the sconces just above eye level—about 60 to 68 inches from the floor to the center of the sconce—for ideal placement.
Hearth & Hand with Magnolia
4. Light up your bathroom vanity
Nothing elevates a vanity quite like the addition of a chic wall sconce. Install a sconce above your bathroom mirror or add one on either side of it to achieve a balanced look you simply can’t get with an overhead light. Not only will it improve the lighting for your morning and nighttime skincare routines, but wall sconces also serve as incredible decor for your bathroom.
Threshold with Studio McGee
5. Hang wall sconces above your couch
If you’re tired of struggling to fit a floor lamp in the corner behind your couch, consider hanging sconces instead for better lighting. This option is also particularly useful if you lack space for side tables to hold table lamps. Center a piece of artwork on the wall and place two sconces on either side to create a stunning focal point. It’s a simple change that can optimize the atmosphere of your room and make your decor pop.
Threshold with Studio McGee
6. Illuminate your hallways
IMO, hallways can be especially tricky to decorate. You want to avoid anything that overwhelms the narrow space or impedes the walkway, but leaving them completely bare can give off a hallway from The Shining vibe instead of a welcoming home. Wall sconces are a great solution; they ensure you’re not left scrambling down dark hallways at night while enhancing the decor and making the area feel more intentional instead of an awkward in-between space.
7. Cozy up your kitchen
Ambient lighting isn’t just crucial in living rooms and bedrooms—kitchens deserve some love, too. Cooking dinner becomes much more enjoyable with the right lighting to set the scene, especially when paired with a fabulous playlist to romanticize the occasion. However, kitchen lighting can be challenging to nail: floor lamps usually don’t fit, and many of us lack enough counter space for table lamps. As a result, the overhead light usually reigns supreme. Fortunately, plug-in sconces can change that. You can install them high on the wall above a window, on either side of the sink, to highlight open shelves, or even add one in any unused wall space for an extra pop of light.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lauren Blue, Lifestyle Staff Writer
As a Lifestyle Staff Writer for The Everygirl, Lauren ideates and writes content for every facet of our readers’ lives. Her articles span the topics of home decor, delicious recipes, hobbies, travel itineraries—and everything in between. When she isn’t testing the latest TikTok trend, she can be found scouring Instagram for beautiful homes to feature on the site.
