My Guests Rave About My Amazon Sconces — It Only Took $12 to Make Them Look Custom

A few months ago, I found myself falling in love on the set of a Dorm Therapy shoot. The object of my affection? These gorgeous cordless LED sconces. For lighting that looks so luxe, they were quite the bargain at just $60 a set on Amazon — so I ordered a pair for myself right there and then. I knew they’d look great styled on either side of my TV. 

I chose the satin nickel finish, and my stylish new sconces arrived the very next day. I got right to work hanging them on the wall, and when I turned them on I was thrilled with the cozy atmosphere they instantly created in my living room. But as much as I loved my new sconces, it still felt like there was something missing. A few months later, I’d find a simple solution — once again on Amazon — that would transform my sconces into something truly special. The best part? This upgrade took me only five minutes and cost just $12. 

Over time, my simple sconces seemed to beg for some pizzazz. I thought about spray painting them or wrapping the shades in fabric, but simply never had the energy to take on the project. Then one night inspiration struck while I scrolled Amazon once again — this time in search of sewing notions. 

I spotted this pink fringe trim at just $11.99 for five yards, and I knew I’d found the perfect solution. Fringe is all the rage right now — from jackets and jeans to stools and sofas — and it was already a staple on all of my Pinterest boards. Once the trim arrived, the actual process of attaching it to the shade was super-simple. I fired up my hot glue gun, and got to work; I attached it to the base of the shade in 3-4” sections at a time. From start to finish, the whole project took me just about 2 minutes per shade, and perhaps another minute to reattach it to the sconce. 

Now, my sconces get so many compliments. And when people find out they’re from Amazon they’re extra-shocked. This simple hack took my sconces from just stylish to truly unique, and made them feel truly special — like a custom piece. The pink fringe matched the pink paint in my hallway perfectly, too, helping tie together the whole space and making it feel complete and cohesive. 

It was the designer touch my living room had been begging for, and I couldn’t believe it only cost me $12 and five minutes. I’m honestly kicking myself for not doing this sooner; but at the same time I’m glad I waited for inspiration to strike, because I don’t think this project could have turned out better. So let this be your sign: Don’t be afraid to break the rules and take a style risk by adding a little bit of flair to your more simple decor items. When done right, even the smallest, easiest, and cheapest of projects can take your space from drab to designer almost instantly.