How to Install Wall-Mounted Sconces

Lighting creates the mood of a room, and wall-mounted sconces are the ultimate way to add character without cluttering your floor space. Whether you are flanking a fireplace or adding reading lights to a living room, a sconce elevates the design immediately. When done well, the fixture sits flush against the wall with no visible gaps or wobbly connections. Electrical work demands focus and patience. Before you touch a single wire, ensure your power is off at the breaker. Safety isn't about avoiding the work; it's about respecting the current. Once the fixture is level and tight, you've not only brightened your home—you've mastered a foundational trade skill that opens the door to more ambitious lighting projects.

1. Kill the power first. Go to your electrical panel and turn off the circuit breaker that controls the room. Use a non-contact voltage tester on the wires inside the junction box to verify the power is completely dead.
2. Secure the junction box. Ensure you have a wall-rated junction box securely mounted to a wall stud. If the wall is already closed, use a remodel box that grips the drywall securely from the back.
3. Mount the bracket level. Screw the provided mounting plate to the junction box using the machine screws included with the fixture. Use a small level to ensure the plate is perfectly horizontal.
4. Connect all wires securely. Strip 1/2 inch of insulation off the fixture wires if they aren't pre-stripped. Connect the copper or green ground wire to the ground screw on the bracket, then connect the white-to-white and black-to-black using wire nuts.
5. Seat the fixture flush. Gently fold the wires into the junction box, ensuring no wires are pinched against the wall. Align the sconce base with the mounting plate and secure it with the provided decorative cap nuts.
6. Power up and verify. Insert the appropriate bulb, restore power at the breaker, and switch on your new light. Check for flickering or loose connections.