If you are trying to decide between a plug in wall sconce and a hard wired wall sconce, here are some things you NEED to consider! I’m sharing plug in wall lights and hardwired wall lights below that are under $50! Check to see which one I bought for my son’s room!

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555 Room Challenge week 1

WEEK 1 | WEEK 2 | WEEK 3 | WEEK 4 | WEEK 5

A Plug In Wall Sconce vs. A Hard Wired Wall Sconce

I’ve been running behind on this week’s post, because of birthday party celebrations, Valentine’s Day celebrations, and a bunch of other things! I’ve been dragging my feet with my son’s room as well!

I’m having shiny object syndrome over here! I keep coming up with new ideas that I think would be really cool in his space, but then I spend time thinking about them instead of focusing on what needs to get done!

One thing that is a definite in the space is the plug in wall sconce that I bought for my son’s room about a year and a half ago! I started gathering ideas for my son’s room about two years ago and made the mistake of purchasing things that did not get used!

I’m so much more careful about my hoarding tendencies these days! I still love THIS adjustable arm sconce by World Market and so does my son. It was the perfect light for his bedside area.

Related: “Gorgeous Accent Chairs Under $300!”

Related: “Blue Area Rugs 8×10 Under $300!”

Because of his new room layout, he no longer has a side table next to his bed. I had to use a wall sconce for lighting instead of a lamp.

Way back when I bought the wall sconce, I was debating on getting a hard wired sconce or a plug in one. I looked through a billion of both kinds and thought about the pros and cons of each before settling on THIS plug in one. I’m so glad that I went this route, especially since I moved his bedroom layout!

Installation of the plug in wall sconce was super easy! It came with two anchors and screws. The wall sconce is adjustable, so that means you can pull the light further away from the wall or push is back in closer to the wall according to your light needs. My son thinks that is the coolest!

Wall sconces have always been around, but they have come a long way since the traditional brass fixtures and pleated lamp shades! Not that there’s anything wrong with that.

There are so many options out there, and they come in every style possible. Once you choose your style, you have to choose if you want a plug in sconce or a hard wired sconce. Here’s the difference between the two!

Related: “$500 Master Bedroom Makeover”

What is the difference between a plug in sconce and a hard wired sconce?

Plug In Wall Sconce

First, let’s make sure that you know what a plug-in wall sconce is! Luckily it’s not too complicated. A plug in sconce is, in fact, a wall light that gets plugged into an outlet. You attach it to a wall and run the cord straight to the receptacle.

Pros:

A plug in wall sconce gives you the freedom to place the wall light almost anywhere your little heart desires! You just need to be near an outlet or use an extension cord.
It will definitely be the cheaper option compared to a hard wired light.
They can easily be replaced with other wall sconces.

Cons:

You have to have an outlet that is near the light. You could run an extension cord to the outlet, but you might find that unsightly depending on where it is.
The cord will show when using a plug in wall sconce. If this bothers you, you might want to get the light hard wired.

Plug In Wall Sconces Ideas

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Hard Wired Wall Sconce:

A hard wired wall sconce has to be connected to the electrical wires that run through your walls. A homeowner can do this themselves if they know how, but often an electrician is required.

Pros:

No outlet is needed! You can place the hard wired wall sconce wherever you like!
You can use a light switch to control the hard wired wall sconces.

Cons:

Hard wired sconces often cost more money due to the fact that many people have to higher an electrician.
They cannot be switched out very easily for new wall sconces.

I ended up choosing a plug in wall sconce for my son’s bedroom, because I didn’t want to pay for an electrician, and I actually liked the look of the plug in wall sconce!

It has a slightly industrial and casual feel to it, which I love for a boys bedroom! Here are some other plug in and hard wired wall sconces that I love for a boy’s bedroom!

Hard Wired Wall Sconce Ideas

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UPDATE

If you have fallen in love with a hard wired wall sconce, but don’t want to spend the money on an electrician, now you can use the “Nesting with Grace Magic Light Hack!”

This is a trick that blogger, Brooke Christensen, figured out when she wanted to use a hard wired wall sconce, but did not want to actually hard wire it!

She uses puck lights and either wires, glues, or velcros them to the fixtures! Then uses the remote to turn them on and off! What a genius idea!

A Plug In Wall Sconce

The Cost

Here’s the cost breakdown for this week:

Accordion plug in wall sconce $45 (after discount)
Stormtrooper print $19.99
Empire Strikes Back print $27.99
Natural jute rug 8×10 $12 (Restore)
White frame mat 12×18 $4
Striped tassel pillow $24.99 (Homegoods)

Total: $133.97

The Plan

Last week I upcycled a pair of camping stools for my son’s room that I found at a garage sale for $2 total! Make sure you check them out in my post, “Upcycled Folding Stools.”

Week 4: