How To Install A Wall Sconce

Adding a wall sconce can brighten an area that needs a little extra light, and it can also provide an additional decorative element to tie in the look of a room. Installing a wall sconce is remarkably simple to do, and comes along with our strong DIY endorsement.

Tools/Materials:

• New Light Fixture
• Flat Head Screwdriver
• Phillips Head Screwdriver
• Wire Nuts
• Wire Stripper (if needed to expose new wire)

Step by Step Instructions

Step 1

Because you’re working with electricity, it’s important to cut the power to the room at the circuit breaker box. Test to be certain the power is off by trying the light switch at the wall.  

Step 2

Remove the light bulb and glass shades (if possible) to reduce the weight on the old light.

Unscrew the mounting nuts from the light fixture.

Carefully remove the light fixture from the mounting plate. It should be able to hang from the wire connections for the moment, or enlist a helper to support it.

The wires should be connected with the black wires to the black wires (Live), the white wires to the white wires (Neutral), and an exposed copper wire (grounding wire) that is attached to the mounting bracket.

Remove the wire nuts from the exposed wiring. Untwist the wire connections to remove the light fixture entirely.

It’s best to start with untwisting the live wires first. Move to the neutral next, and remove the grounding wires last.

Remove the light fixture from the mounting plate. Unscrew the mounting plate from the wall remodel box.

Step 3

Install the new mounting plate over the remodel box.

Attach the copper wire to the new mounting plate. Twist the wire around the ground screw on the mounting bracket and then tighten the screw into place. It’s important to leave enough wire to attach it to the bare wire from the new light fixture. Close the connection with a wire nut.

If the interior spring or threads on the wire nuts are worn or loose, they will need replaced. It’s important that wire nuts tighten down snug over the twined wires.

Step 4

Connect the wires to the new light fixture. Be sure to match wires by color (black to black, white to white), and complete the connections with a wire cap.

Carefully push the excess wires through the center of the mounting bracket. Keep the white and black wires from crowding each other inside the remodel box. They should not touch.

Step 5

Mount the new light housing to the bracket. The new light fixture should provide screws and mounting nuts that fit. If the fixture calls for a socket nut, be sure to tighten that in place to be sure the shade doesn’t come loose or fall.

Step 6

Complete the project by screwing in the new bulb and attaching the shade, if necessary.

Turn the power back on at the circuit breaker. Check that the light turns on at the light switch as it should to check your work.