Turn Any Sconce Into a Battery-Powered LED Light Fixture

If you have a dark corner or a gloomy hall, chances are you’ve considered adding a sconce light fixture. But hiring an electrician to run wire to your fixture can be pricey, especially if it’s just for one light. The advent of battery powered LED fixtures has made the need for wiring a light in the closet or over a bookcase a thing of the past. Putting a bright light almost anywhere has never been easier.

What you need to install an LED sconce light fixture

Before you get started on this project, you’ll need your lighting fixture, a good quality LED light, some wire, and a pair of wire snips and pliers. To attach your fixture, you’ll also need any hardware it comes with as well as a drill and screwdriver.

For this project, a lightning fixture with a single light source–one bulb–and a shade is the best option for looks. Since the inside of the light won’t look the same as a regular light bulb, covering the light source will give you the best result. Additionally, while most puck lights work on a remote control or a tap switch, there are also motion sensor lights that won’t work well in a regular room. The best option is a puck light that has a switch you can mount on the wall, just like a regular light fixture, but with no wires involved.

How to install an LED light fixture

To begin, turn your sconce over so you can see the underside where the lightbulb would usually go. Since you’re not going to connect the fixture to power, you won’t need the bulb socket. In place of your traditional bulb, you’ll be using a puck light or other similar LED fixture. On the underside of your light fixture is a base that the light bulb socket is attached to. Using a length of wire, wrap it around the base firmly and twist the ends of the wire a few times to make a secure loop that can’t slide off.

Once you’ve made your loop, open the LED light so the portion that’s designed to attach to the ceiling or wall is exposed. There should be holes that are intended for screws to go through. Thread the ends of the wires through the attachment bracket and twist them together to secure the bracket to the inside of the fixture.

Once the bracket is secured, put batteries in the LED light, and snap it back onto the bracket, securing it inside the fixture. Then, you’ll be able to turn it on and off by tapping it or by remote control, however you prefer. If you choose to use the touch function, just remember that you won’t be able to use a fixture type that has a cover over the bulb, since this will make the switch inaccessible. If you use the remote, double check that the remote receiver is facing out before attaching it to the wall.

Once all your parts are back together, you can mount your fixture using the hardware it came with. If you’re mounting it into drywall, make sure to use drywall anchors or go directly into a stud to avoid tearing a hole in the wall. To find studs on most modern architecture, you can use a strong magnet or a stud finder.