How To Install Sconce Lights Without Electricity
We just completed this fun tween boy’s bedroom update and I’m in love with how it turned out.
We put in a shiplap accent wall, repainted some previously hodge-podge furniture, and got his room organized and grown-up looking.
But my most favorite part is these farmhouse sconce lights, which I installed without having to run electricity, and I’m currently in love with myself even more than normal.
I’m sharing a tutorial on how I did it, and I’ll warn you: there were moments when I thought it would have been easier to just call in a damn electrician, but then it became a quest to get this thing done by myself.
And I did it!
Here’s how to install sconce lighting without electricity:
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Materials
Sconce lights (we used these Portfolio Dovray 7.75” outdoor wall lights from Lowe’s)
Floral wire (I didn’t have any on-hand, so I used 17 gauge aluminum electric fence wire, which was way too thick and not very workable)
Puck lights (I used these GE ones from Target)
Hot glue gun and glue
Zip ties (like these 8” nylon ones)
By the way - I made you a printable instruction sheet and shopping list. Just click the yellow button below to grab yours - it’s my treat for you!
1 - Disassemble the light fixture so you can remove the part where the lightbulb screws in. You can cut the rope and wiring, if you need to, in order to get that piece out - you won’t need any of it.
I didn’t like how much gold these had on them, so we painted them with a light coat of satin spray paint, so that the gold was just peeking through.
Disassemble the light fixture so you can remove the part where the lightbulb screws in. Cut any wiring holding it together so that you can get that piece out.
2 - Thread flexible wiring through the top of the thing that holds the lightbulb and loop it around the bottom, where the lightbulb would go.
Thread flexible wiring through the top of the thing that holds the lightbulb and loop it around the bottom, where the lightbulb would go.
Another view
Floral wire would have been an easier wire to use. You want to wrap it around a few times so it’s sturdy…
…creating a “strap” across the bottom of the light bulb casing, so your zip tie will have something to hold onto.
3 - Unscrew the back off the puck light.
Thread a zip tie through the back of the puck light so that the zip enclosure is on the outside. You want to be able to put this lid back onto the back of the puck light and have it be able to close.
Thread the zip tie through the wire loop you made around the light bulb holder thing.
Pull the end of the zip tie through its enclosure and pull it tight, so the back of the puck light is tight up against the lightbulb holder.
4 - Put a bead of hot glue around the bottom of the light bulb holder to the back of the puck light so that it’ll act as one piece.
Put this contraption up into the lamp, pushing the top through so you can re-assemble the lamp.
Put a bead of hot glue around the back of the puck light so it’s tight and secured to the underside of the lamp. This makes it a sturdy fit when you go to change batteries in the puck light.
5 - Reassemble the lamp
6 - Now put batteries in the puck light and screw it into its backing, which is now installed in your lamp fixture.
This is what it looks like after the puck light is screwed onto the base that you created inside the lamp
7 - Install the light fixture to the wall and voila!
These are amazing because my son keeps the remote in his night stand and can turn them off and on from his bed. They also have color changing puck lights, also remote controlled, which would be fun, too.
This tutorial was inspired by this one, which my sis sent me, but I didn’t have as much luck with it, so I rigged up my own version that I’ve shared here. I’m linking to the original, just in case you like her way better.