Love the look of wall sconces, but don't have electrical wiring where you want to install them?
You don't necessarily need to open the wall, add a junction box, or hire an electrician. Plug-in wall sconces mount to the wall like traditional sconces but receive power from a standard electrical outlet.
They can be a simple solution for bedrooms, reading areas, rental homes, living rooms, and other spaces where adding new electrical wiring isn't practical.
Wall Sconces Without Hardwiring
Traditional wall sconces are usually hardwired into an electrical box inside the wall. That works well when wiring already exists in the right location.
But what if it doesn't?
Installing new wiring can mean opening the wall, running electrical cable, adding a junction box, repairing drywall, and potentially hiring an electrician.
A plug-in wall sconce offers another option.
The fixture is mounted to the wall, while a power cord runs from the light to a nearby electrical outlet. You still get the space-saving benefits and appearance of a wall-mounted light without needing a dedicated electrical connection behind the fixture.
Plug-in wall sconces can be especially useful when:
- There is no junction box where you want the light
- You don't want to add new electrical wiring
- You're renting and want to avoid permanent electrical changes
- You want bedside lighting without using nightstand space
- Your existing electrical connection is in the wrong location
- You want a simpler wall-light installation
Can You Install a Wall Sconce Without a Junction Box?
Yes—if the wall sconce is designed for plug-in installation.
A hardwired wall sconce normally requires an appropriate electrical box and electrical connection behind the fixture.
A plug-in wall sconce doesn't receive its power from wiring inside the wall. Instead, it connects to a standard outlet using a cord.
This means you have much more freedom when choosing where to position the light.
For example, if you want two sconces on either side of your bed but don't have electrical boxes there, plug-in sconces may allow you to create the same layout without adding new wiring.
Do Wall Sconces Have to Be Hardwired?
No. Wall sconces generally fall into two main installation types.
Hardwired wall sconces
The electrical connection is concealed behind the fixture. This creates a clean appearance without a visible power cord, but electrical wiring needs to be available at the installation point.
Plug-in wall sconces
The fixture mounts to the wall and connects to an electrical outlet using a cord.
The main advantage is flexibility. You can install the light in many locations where hardwiring would otherwise be difficult or expensive.
No wiring where you want your light? See Modefinity Plug-In Wall Sconces →
A Simple Solution for Rental Apartments
Lighting can be particularly challenging in a rental.
You may want wall-mounted bedside lights or additional lighting in a dark area, but installing new electrical wiring might not be practical—or permitted by your landlord.
Plug-in wall sconces can provide an alternative. Because the electrical connection comes from an existing outlet, you can add wall-mounted lighting without installing a new electrical box.
Depending on the mounting method and your rental agreement, you'll still need to consider how the fixture attaches to the wall, but the electrical installation itself can be considerably simpler.
Free Up Space on a Small Nightstand
A bedside table doesn't have to hold your lamp.
If your nightstand is small, a table lamp can take up much of the usable surface. Moving the light onto the wall leaves more room for your phone, books, glasses, water, or other bedside essentials.
This is one reason plug-in sconces work particularly well beside beds. You get light where you need it while keeping the nightstand clear.
For reading in bed, you can also consider a swing-arm wall sconce, which allows the light to extend toward you when needed and move back toward the wall afterward.
What If the Outlet Isn't Directly Below the Wall Sconce?
It doesn't necessarily need to be.
When choosing a plug-in wall light, check the cord length and determine where your nearest electrical outlet is located before installation.
A longer cord can give you more flexibility when positioning the fixture. This can be particularly helpful beside beds, sofas, reading chairs, and other areas where the ideal position for the light doesn't line up perfectly with the outlet.
What About the Visible Cord?
This is one of the biggest differences between plug-in and hardwired sconces.
With a hardwired fixture, the electrical connection is concealed inside the wall. With a plug-in fixture, the power cord will normally be visible.
You can let the cord hang neatly below the fixture, position the sconce so the cord follows a natural vertical line toward the outlet, or use an appropriate cord cover where desired. In some interiors, an exposed fabric or decorative cord can even become part of the design.
Custom Cord Lengths & Colors
Most of our plug-in wall lights come with a brown twisted fabric cord, which gives the visible cable a more decorative, finished look.
We can also customize the cord for your space. If you need a specific cord length or color, simply contact us with your requirements. We can prepare a custom cord to better match your installation and interior.
Plug-In vs. Hardwired Wall Sconces
| Feature | Plug-In Wall Sconce | Hardwired Wall Sconce |
|---|---|---|
| Existing wall wiring required | No | Usually yes |
| Junction box required for power connection | No | Usually yes |
| Uses standard outlet | Yes | No |
| Visible power cord | Usually | No |
| Good for rentals | Often | Less convenient |
| Easy to reposition | Easier | More difficult |
| Installation flexibility | High | Depends on wiring |
Neither option is universally better. If you're renovating and already have electrical wiring exactly where the sconces will be installed, hardwired lights can provide a very clean result. If you don't have wiring in the right location—or simply don't want the additional electrical work—a plug-in sconce can be the more practical solution.
Where Can You Use Plug-In Wall Sconces?
- On either side of a bed
- Above or beside a small nightstand
- Next to a sofa
- Beside a reading chair
- In a home office
- In a rental apartment
- In a reading nook
- In areas where ceiling lighting isn't enough
- Anywhere suitable wall space and an accessible outlet are available
How to Choose a Plug-In Wall Sconce
1. Distance to the outlet
Check that the cord can comfortably reach the outlet from your preferred mounting position.
2. How you'll use the light
For general ambient lighting, a fixed sconce may be enough. For bedside reading or task lighting, consider an adjustable or swing-arm design.
3. Fixture dimensions
Check the overall width, height, projection from the wall, and—especially for swing-arm lights—the maximum reach.
4. Placement
Think about where the light needs to fall rather than simply where the fixture looks best on the wall.
How Easy Is a Plug-In Wall Sconce to Install?
A plug-in wall sconce still needs to be securely mounted to the wall, but it does not require a new in-wall electrical connection for power. Once mounted, the cord simply connects to a suitable nearby outlet. Always follow the fixture's installation instructions and use appropriate wall fixings for your wall type.
Plan Your Cord Length Before Ordering
Measure from the planned position of the wall light to the outlet, following the route you want the cord to take rather than measuring only a straight line. Allow a little extra length for comfortable routing. If the standard cord is not right for your room, Modefinity can customize the cord length and color.
Consider Where You Want the Switch
Depending on the fixture, plug-in wall lights may use an inline cord switch, a switch on the fixture, or another switching configuration. For bedside lighting especially, think about whether the switch will be easy to reach from the bed before choosing the mounting height and cord setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you install wall sconces without electrical wiring?
Yes. A plug-in wall sconce uses a standard electrical outlet rather than a hardwired electrical connection behind the fixture.
Can I install a wall sconce without a junction box?
A plug-in wall sconce doesn't require a junction box as its power source. Hardwired fixtures generally require an appropriate electrical installation.
Can I use wall sconces in a rental apartment?
Plug-in sconces can be particularly useful for rentals because they don't require adding new electrical wiring. You should still follow your rental agreement regarding mounting fixtures or making holes in walls.
Do plug-in wall sconces look as good as hardwired sconces?
They can. The primary visual difference is usually the power cord. Choosing the right placement and managing the cord neatly can create a deliberate, finished appearance.
Are plug-in sconces good for bedside lighting?
Yes. They're particularly useful when you don't have electrical wiring beside the bed or want to free up space on your nightstand.
Are there adjustable plug-in wall sconces?
Yes. Swing-arm designs can provide adjustable bedside or reading light while retaining the convenience of a plug-in connection.
Need a Custom Plug-In Configuration?
Tell us where your outlet is, the cord length you need, and your preferred cord color. We can customize many of our plug-in wall lights to better suit your room and installation.
Add Wall Lighting Without Rewiring Your Room
Not having electrical wiring in the right place doesn't mean you have to give up on wall sconces.
Whether you're working with a rental apartment, a bedroom with small nightstands, or simply a wall without an electrical box, a plug-in wall light can provide a practical alternative to traditional hardwired lighting.
Explore Modefinity wall sconces available with plug-in configurations and find a design that works with your space.