10 Ways With Wall Lights That Don’t Need to Be Wired In (2024)

When renovating a home, it’s easy to forget certain final touches. And once the paint has dried and the carpet has gone down, wiring in light fixtures often just isn’t an option, for both hassle and expense reasons. Another solution, however, is to invest in stylish wall lights that don’t need hardwiring and that can be added pretty much wherever you need lighting. Check out these ways to use them in your home.

Wickenden Hutley

1. Clamp them onto a ladder. A storage wall ladder placed snugly between two single beds (or two flanking a double bed) is the perfect vehicle for clipping on a wall lamp or two. Choosing a ladder and lights in the same color, as here, will make them feel like more of a feature. This solution means you don’t have to wire in any permanent electrical cables, especially handy if you’re likely to change the room’s function or layout a few years down the line.

Chris Snook

2. Showcase your wires. A lampshade isn’t the only feature of a clip-on light that can be used to decorative effect. These days we’re seeing a lot of exposed wiring on Houzz, especially colorful cords. Exposed bulbs are perfect for plugging in and attaching to a hook wherever you like, and they give a room that raw, industrial edge. Choose a brightly colored cord, such as orange, red or yellow, to up the design factor, or stick with inky black for a dramatic, monochrome silhouette.

Etre

3. Boost kitchen lighting. In a narrow kitchen, or indeed any kitchen, it can be difficult to squeeze in extra built-in lights once a renovation is complete. However, some Anglepoise-style lamps (which can be angled to shine the light in different directions) anchored to the wall can be a good solution for task lighting over the counter. Alternatively, install a high shelf and perch a couple on top (make sure their bases are heavy enough to prevent any accidents) or clip them to the edge of the shelf. In either case, it’s worth noting where your sockets and switches are to ensure it’s feasible.

4. Clip them onto a headboard. You can’t get a simpler or more effective lighting solution than this if you’re after neat and discreet reading lamps. These slim-line but sturdy Jansjö lights from Ikea are clipped onto either side of the headboard and are flexible enough to be directed accurately to avoid disturbing anyone else. And the little blast of color is a welcome addition, too.

Martins Camisuli Architects

5. String up some twinkle lights. A single string of twinkle lights can transform a boring wall in seconds, and with very little effort or cost. You can simply tack a set of white or multicolored lights to a wall, or around a window or door frame, and presto, it’s your own little piece of year-round magic. Twinkle lights are perfect for atmospheric lighting but may need to be paired with something a little stronger for task lighting.

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6. Keep it playful. Any sort of clip-on or stick-on light is a natural for a child’s bedroom or playroom, as the quirky, unfinished look will fit in well with the general chaos. These fun lights are Sticky Lamps by Chris Kabel, available from Droog. As the years pass by and your child wants a more grown-up design, these nonpermanent light fixtures can easily be taken down.

Sara Bates

7. Match the mood. Clip-on metal lights are perfect for this bedroom, which is filled with upcycled goodies. Their industrial, makeshift feel works really well with the rest of the furniture. In such an ever-changing, organic space, it’s possible the door-turned-headboard will end up being used for something else, somewhere else, so removable and movable lights are just the ticket. And because they’re not permanent, you can be a little bit more adventurous with them, too.

Gaile Guevara

8. Invest in a classic design. This Flos wall lamp has a gigantic adjustable arm, so it can do the job of two separate wall lamps by reaching over both sides of the bed. Designed by Paolo Rizzatto in the 1970s, the painted steel light looks just as fresh today as it did when it was launched, especially with the exposed wiring left to dangle from the huge bracket.

9. Illuminate your collections. Clip-on lights are a good solution if you’re renting, as they won’t damage walls or ceilings, which is a definite no-no in most landlords’ rule books. Some little lamps, such as these mini Tolomeo Micro clip lights by Artemide, can be powerful and provide just as much illumination as built-in versions — handy for shedding light on a growing book or record collection.

10. Use your ceiling as a wall substitute. This is a clever way to create a pair of bedside lights that would usually need to be hardwired. The designer used the existing ceiling wiring and an additional couple of hooks to create the same effect as wall lights. The colorful cord makes a feature of the trailing wires. (Do bear in mind that you should call on the expertise of a qualified electrician for this one.)

Tell us: Do you have any quick-fix wall lights in your home? Share your thoughts and photos in the Comments below.

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10 Ways With Wall Lights That Don’t Need to Be Wired In (2024)

FAQs

How do you put lights on a wall without wiring? ›

Or, if you know you won't ever have your sconce hardwired, you can just hot glue the puck light directly on top of the lamp's socket. Note that using a socket adapter might make your shade sit on the lamp a bit higher than you'd expect with a traditional bulb.

Do wall sconces need wiring? ›

If you like the look of wall sconce lighting but don't have the wiring in the wall, you can simply install the sconces using battery lights.

What are the benefits of wall lights? ›

Wall lighting brings ambience and changes the perception of the room. Small rooms can feel larger and more spacious, whilst larger rooms can be divided and zoned, using the light to bring focus and definition to functional areas.

What wall lights have no earth wire? ›

Class 2 double insulated lights are designed to operate without the need for an earth wire. They usually have two layers of insulation which cover the live parts, for example the cables inside the fitting.

How do you power string lights without an outlet? ›

If you lack an outdoor outlet, You can plug in Christmas lights to an indoor power outlet by using an extension cord, solar, rechargeable batteries, wireless lights, and candles.

How do wireless wall sconces work? ›

Essentially, you buy a normal hardwired wall sconce (not the plug-in type). But, instead of screwing in a lightbulb, you use a battery powered puck light. Then, you just attach the sconce to the wall and use a remote to turn on the puck light. Voila!

What is the rule of thumb for sconces? ›

The top of the sconce should be above eye level so the interior bulb is not visible. Generally, this would be a minimum of six feet from the floor. Therefore, the wall box for that sconce should be six feet less the distance from the top of the sconce to the center of the wall box.

What is a PUC light? ›

Puck lights are a fantastic way to illuminate certain areas or provide accent lighting. These little lights provide easy access to soft lighting that won't ruin your lighting atmosphere.

Are LED wall lights safe? ›

By paying attention to the LED bulb specifications, and taking appropriate precautions and using some basic common sense, you can safely incorporate LED lights in your home without any negative health effects of the "blue light hazard."

What are the pros and cons of wall lighting? ›

While wall lights are efficient, the initial cost can be higher compared to standard lighting options. Advanced features, design variations, or specific functionalities can escalate the price. However, it's essential to consider this as an investment due to their longevity and energy efficiency.

Should wall lights face up or down? ›

If you're looking to light a very large room, upwards-facing lights will be more effective for diffusing light further, whereas downwards-facing lights would be sufficient if you're only lighting a small space. This would, however, also be subject to the primary use of the room.

Can lights work without a ground wire? ›

Strictly speaking, grounding your light fixtures isn't necessary in all cases. However, it's a good idea as it makes your light fixture safer and reduces the risk of injury. Metal light fixture boxes should always be grounded where you install the fixture.

Do wall lights need an earth? ›

Any light, lamp, bulb holder or fitting with a conductive or metal exterior surface must always be earthed to ensure against risk of electrocution or serious injury. We recommend that any fitting or installation is done by a qualified electrician, do not risk installation yourself if you are at all unsure.

Is red or black live? ›

The live wire is Brown

This replaces the old colours of red (live) and black (neutral) and green (earth) which changed back in 2006. If your plug has these colour wires, we recommend that you replace it.

Can you install a ceiling light without existing wiring? ›

Use plug-in lighting fixtures

Installing plug-in lights does not need existing electrical wires, you can do it as long as you have an electrical outlet and can install a hook in the ceiling joists wherever you need to fix the lights. The hook is just to hold the fixture in place.

How do wireless wall lights work? ›

Wireless light switches work through radio signals, eliminating the need for traditional wired connections. They consist of a transmitter in the wall-mounted switch and a receiver within the light fixture.

How do you get power to wall lights? ›

The cable that brings power to your wall lights is a spur cable. It can originate from a ceiling rose or lighting circuit junction box. You simply need to run the spur cable from this power supply point to a new junction box in the ceiling void.

How do you get lights to stick to the wall? ›

Adhesive putty

Tacky substances like Blu Tack are reusable adhesives that support small items without leaving any holes in the wall. It works best with fairy lights or other lightweight items. To use it, simply press the wire or LED bulbs themselves into the putty at evenly spaced intervals.

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