These 12 game-changing plug-in sconces will give you a soothing glow without the hassle of installing

Forget calling the electrician - these 12 perfect plug-in sconces create the ambience and soft glow of a wall light with none of the hassle of installation

A grey bedroom with plug-in wall light
(Image credit: Future)

When your square footage is tight, and you haven't considered the intricate wiring at the planning stages, plug-in sconces and wall lights are a great option. 

Providing a cocooning glow for nighttime reading, giving a cozy living room corner some extra glow with a statement light, or helping a renter put their stamp on a property where they can't drill into the walls, a well-placed sconce without any DIY work is a design trick worthy of recognition. I'm currently on the hunt for a pair of plug-in sconces to sit on either side of my bed, and these 12 are calling my name. 

Oonagh Turner
Oonagh Turner

Oonagh is an interiors writer and editor, and expert at keeping up with trends. She's also a keen online shopper, with shopping baskets full of decor must-haves that reflect wider trends from the world of interior design. For this story, she's picked her favorite plug-in sconces on the market right now.

Covered plug-in sconces

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A covered plug-in sconce is perfect for bedroom lighting. The shades or hoods mean there is no glare and stops any harsh light. Create a soothing, calming vibe with any of these cute additions.

A plug in sconce next to a bed

(Image credit: Schoolhouse)

Plug-in task sconce

Angle your lighting to help you work or read with these clever plug-in task sconces. The angular nature is part of the aesthetic, and these three in particular have caught my eye.

A task light sconce

(Image credit: Anthropologie)

Globe plug-in wall lights

Globe plug-in lights are all the rage, seamlessly fixing onto any surface and delighting with their soft, diffused glow. 

A globe wall light

(Image credit: Lumens)

Plug-in hanging wall light

If you want a bit more drama from your plug-in wall light, these three pendant-like options might work for your space.

A bulb light hanging from the wall

(Image credit: Schoolhouse)
Oonagh Turner
Oonagh Turner

Oonagh is an interiors writer and editor, and expert at keeping up with trends. She's also a keen online shopper, with shopping baskets full of decor must-haves that reflect wider trends from the world of interior design. For this story, she's picked her favorite plug-in sconces and wall lights to bring light and style to any room of the home. 

A wall light or sconce can work as the perfect finishing touch in any room, elevating the space with one simple decorative and functional addition.

'Wall lights are great for providing illumination,' says Anna Popov of Interiors by Popov. 'Lighting lining the perimeter of a room helps illuminate the entire space properly. Decorative wall sconces can add a creative touch as well, while also providing quality light on either side of the mirror. In rooms like a water closet—a separate space for the toilet—it is nice to install a single wall sconce along with a small piece of art. The light is soft, calming, and creates a sense of warmth in the space.'

The problem with sconces is that they're so often fiddly to install, involving complicated wiring and precisely positioned electrical sockets that should have been considered at the planning stage. 

Plug-in sconces and wall lights are certainly having their moment. More and more, lighting designers are turning to plug-in lights for sconces, and creating fixtures that are as beautiful as sconces without plug-in mechanics.

Instead of wiring, the plug-in option simply plugs into the wall, and more and more brands are unveiling beautiful designs that are easily mounted onto walls with no fuss, meaning you can have the sconce look for less. 

Many include a disguised or transparent wire to avoid too much visual clutter, and other designs embrace the wiring, with fabric-wrapped cord to create an industrial look to your light fixture. 

Oonagh Turner
Livingetc content editor and design expert

Oonagh is a content editor at Livingetc.com and an expert at spotting the interior trends that are making waves in the design world. Writing a mix of everything and everything from home tours to news, long-form features to design idea pieces on the website, as well as frequently featured in the monthly print magazine, she's the go-to for design advice in the home. Previously, she worked on a London property title, producing long-read interiors features, style pages and conducting interviews with a range of famous faces from the UK interiors scene, from Kit Kemp to Robert Kime. In doing so, she has developed a keen interest in London's historical architecture and the city's distinct tastemakers paving the way in the world of interiors.