Wall sconces converted from hard wire to plug in:
Please note I am not an electrician by any means but I do love these sconces.
Only problem is they come hard wired, our wall is not hard wired for sconces and I wasn’t willing to go through that process.
Therefore I converted the hard wire into a plug in with flip switch operation.
Here’s how I converted the sconces:
1. Find sconces you love:
And a 6 foot lamp cord set with switch (from Home Depot here):
And you need wire strippers:
2. Drill hole through mounting plate at bottom, wide enough for cord to slide through but still be slightly snug:
Also clip off socket from lamp cord set:
3. Thread end of lamp cord up into base of mounting plate:
4. Slide a nut onto lamp cord flush to mounting plate on inside to prevent wire from pulling through.
5. Now pull lamp cord wires apart about 3″ and strip back each side about 1″ to expose copper wires.
6. Twist white wire with copper wire from rigid side of lamp cord and black wire with smooth side of lamp cord.
I taped up the ground wire with electrical tape as it isn’t needed for a plug in item.
(In this picture below you can see the nut I slipped on to prevent the wire from pulling through.)
7. Screw in a lightbulb and see if it works. Magic!!
8. Secure mounting hardware to wall:
9. Place mounting plate over screws and secure with nuts:
10. Add glass and wire cage, plug in and enjoy.
The cord hanging down isn’t perfect but it’s the best solution short of hiring an electrician to hard wire the walls.
An affordable solution that frees up space on the nightstand and provides a sleeker, more efficient look for the tight space.
Now on to something for above the headboard.
Clever girl! I love the sconces.
What a great tutorial! Thanks for posting. This opens up a new world of possibilities for lights beside our bed. The only place it fits is with the head under the eaves. I can just fit a nightstand there, but have to use a tiny little lamp, or else it hits the ceiling. I would love to do this on the adjacent walls.
That is a wonderful idea! I've done it myself with vintage sconces. Mine have switches under the shades, so I was able to add a paintable cord cover that attaches to the wall and disappears when painted the wall color. For any of us with old houses with plaster walls it is a necessity to find alternative lighting sources.
I can hardly wait to see what you'll come up with for above the headboard! Love the room already!
You are brilliant…and brave! Somehow I'm afraid of being zapped… But, now that I have your nice, neat tutorial, I might have to put my courage on and give it a whirl.:) I love it!
I though I had my mind made up about some lighting in Pip's room, but now I'm not so sure–thanks for giving me another option!
Love the headboard too. And congrats on the Remodelaholic feature! Your renovation turned out FANTASTIC 🙂
I love what you did with the sconces. Very smart!
Love them! They look fantastic.
Too clever. Such a grown up look. Am pinning and loving these!
Too cool! Great idea!
Genius! I LOVE them and great tutorial!!!
I love these. I need one of these for my kitchen and have been thinking of doing a conversion, but was too scared. You make it look so easy. I must follow you to see what else you have up your sleeve.
xo,
mONICa
I just pinned you! I've been wanting to do this with sconces but hadn't looked up a How to yet … now I don't have to. Thanks so much!
Jo
Really well done! I change out my own light fixtures, so I would be totally comfortable doing this and I really appreciate you posting this. I bet you could also find brushed nickel cord covers if you wanted to cover up the cord and attach to the wall. Came over from DIY Showoff.
Thanks so much for showing us how to do that. So often I find light that are hardwired and not able to use. I really your light, and did I miss where you got them? My ceilings are slanted in our bedroom also, and can't use a tall lamp, so this will come in handy. I can't wait to see what you come up with over the headboard. My fingers are crossed that you might share this at Sunday's Best going on now. sharing is a good thing, especially something so useful.
Great idea! Just pinned it for future reference. I'm visiting from My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia.
This is really amazing! Thank you for making a tutorial. I'm going to have to pin it.
I also found it funny that your title is very similar to my post this week!
Love this idea. I've been looking for some scones, but couldnt find any that are affordable & cute.
These are very cool lights! Nice job!
Love love love! Featuring you later tonight 🙂
XOXO
Those are GREAT! I love how easy you made it looked too! Thanks for sharing! Visiting from DIY Showoff!
Very clever indeed! Consider sharing with my readers at http://sassafrassalvation.blogspot.com/2012/02/sasss-sunday-salvation-show-11.html !
Happy Valentine's Day,
Kathy
okay, i am pretty sure i can do this…one question…do you screw on the orange plastic things to the connected twisted wires? basically, what are the orange things attached to and how? thank so much for sharing this!
I'm so doing this this weekend. I already bought the sconce and hubby said too much electrical work. This is the perfect solution!
XO Cindy
Did you happen to see this idea on my blog? I did this exact same thing to my bedroom at the beginning of January….. so ironic!! I love mine!!
Love the sconces ~ they look great! Thanks for sharing! ~ Judy
Hi Jamie,
I just wanted you to know that I linked to this post as I just made my own sconces. Thanks for the great tutorial!
You can see the link at http://froufrugal.blogspot.com/2012/04/master-bedroom-makeoverindustrial.html
I needed this 🙂 I saw you on Tip Junkie and I have been debating how to get the sconces I want into my boys room. YAY, now I can do it myself. Pinning you…..
This tutorial is exactly what I've been looking for-thank you for it. The lights look fantastic!
Great tutorial! Thanks for sharing. I'm SURE I will use this in the future.
Stephanie @ http://www.thestyledsoul.com
This was exactly what I was looking for. Found some old industrial sconces and am so excited to do this for my sons bedroom.
Why does a plug in type light not need a grounding wire?
Because the outlet is grounded.