DIY Sconce Installation: What Homeowners Need to Know Before They Start

Beau Wynja

Takeaways:

  • Before you install a wall sconce, you should carefully plan out the placement of each sconce to ensure it’s at the right height and distance from other sconces.
  • You’ll also need to gather a variety of tools and materials prior to installation, including wire strippers, a stud finder, a drill, a voltage tester, and more.
  • Avoid making mistakes by following all local electrical laws and standard safety practices, like turning off your breaker during installation.

Installing a Wall Sconce Light

If you’re thinking of installing a wall sconce light on your own, getting the job done right is about more than just following wall sconce wiring instructions! You’ll need to prepare everything in advance, including the sconce placement, essential tools, and troubleshooting tips in case anything goes wrong.

Before you start installing a sconce light, take a look at this guide from the experts at Color Cord Company for everything you need to know.

Wall Sconce Placement

When planning a layered lighting plan, your wall sconce height must align with the rest of the light fixtures and meet the room's lighting requirements. For example, installing wall sconce lights that frame your entryway should be at a different height from the wall sconces you’re using next to your bed.

Most wall sconce placement suggestions are measured up from the floor rather than the ceiling. Take a look at some of the best heights for different rooms:

  • Bedside: Between 48 and 60”
  • Living Room Accent: Between 60 and 72”
  • Bathroom Sinks: Between 60 and 65”
  • Kitchen Counters: Between 55 and 60”
  • Entryway Doors: Between 60 and 75”

If you have particularly high ceilings or very intimate spaces, you may need to adjust these measurements when installing wall sconce lights to better fit your needs. You should also ensure your sconces are 6-12” away from furniture and decor to create shadow-free illumination.

Safety Concerns

There are a number of important safety rules for installing a wall sconce light, including:

  • Turn off the circuit breaker
  • Shut off the water if there’s plumbing in the installation area
  • Use appropriate anchors and studs
  • Follow all local electrical codes
  • Use a stud finder for the best placement

Essential Tools

You don’t want to start installing a wall sconce light only to realize you don’t have all the proper equipment! Take a look at this checklist of essential tools for wall sconce wiring and installation to ensure you have everything you need:

Common Mistakes

Making a mistake when installing a wall sconce light can be a real headache — especially if you’ve already cut into the drywall or made major changes to your space. Avoid these common errors by planning ahead:

  • Improper Placement: Placing a sconce too high or too low can make lighting awkward, shining light directly into the eyes, or creating odd shadows in your space. Without planning, you also risk placing your sconce at strange distances. Too far apart and your space won’t be well-lit, too close together and everything will feel cluttered.
  • Ignoring Safety: Whether you forget to check the breaker or you don’t use a stud finder during placement, you can cause serious damage to yourself or your home. Follow all the safety instructions or work with a professional to prevent problems.
  • Forgetting the Little Things: Details matter when installing a wall sconce light. You need to pay attention to anchors, dimmers, bulb selection, and more. If your fixture isn’t properly secured with a good anchor, it may droop or tilt over time. Choosing the wrong bulb or messing up your color temperature can completely change the ambiance of your space. 
  • Relying Only on Sconces: You might think that installing a wall sconce light is enough to completely light up your space, but relying just on wall sconces won’t offer the ambient and task lighting solutions you need. Wall sconces should complement overhead pendants or chandeliers, as well as table lamps and other accent lights to create a complete lighting landscape.

Wall Sconce Wiring FAQ

Can a wall sconce be plugged in?

Yes! At Color Cord Company, we offer both plug-in and hardwired fixtures to ensure you have the flexibility you need to accommodate your space. Our plug in wall sconces offer you impermanent solutions that are easy to move from place to place, which is ideal for rentals or for making quick changes to your interior design. It’s also easier to install, as you just mount the sconce and plug it into the nearest outlet.

What if my wall sconce has an extra wire?

If you’re hardwiring a wall sconce in an older home, you may notice that your structure doesn’t have a grounding wire while your light fixture does. In this case, you’ll need to secure the ground wire to the electrical box. If you still can’t find a place to ground your wires, reach out to an electrician for professional support.

What are the basic wiring connections?

There are usually three wires in each fixture, including:

  • Black Wires: These are the hot wires that carry electricity to the fixture.
  • White Wires: Neutral wires that bring any unused electricity back to the power source.
  • Green Wires: These are grounding wires that allow excess electricity to dissipate safely.

Can wall sconces have lamp shades?

Of course! At Color Cord Company, we offer you the opportunity to customize your fixtures with a lamp shade or purchase one separately. Just make sure your shade is compatible with the fixture by checking the socket diameter and shade hole.

Color Cord Company Guidance

With all this prep for installing a wall sconce light, you’re ready to move on to the actual wall sconce wiring! Check out all the wiring guides at Color Cord Company for step-by-step instructions for all types of fixtures that will help you install any DIY fixture in no time.

If you have any concerns that require a personal touch, Color Cord Company is always here to help. We offer unrivaled customer service that can take your project from start to end with ongoing guidance and support. Reach out to us to discuss your needs — no project is too big or too small!

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