Build Your Own Sleek & Sophisticated Wall Sconce

updated Apr 30, 2019
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(Image credit: Cheryl of Maya at Home)

This is so gorgeous it’s hard to believe it’s DIY. If you’re looking for a project that’s a bit of a challenge with a big, glamorous pay off, let Cheryl be your guide!

Skill Level: Moderate
Time Required: 30 minutes
Project Cost: $90

From Cheryl: This is a DIY brass and black sconce that I used for my kitchen. I added swivels to it so it can move up and down as well as tilt to get the exact right angle of light I need. It was amazingly simply and light making is now my newest hobby! For anyone who wants to get into light making, this is a great first step.

(Image credit: Cheryl of Maya at Home)
(Image credit: Cheryl of Maya at Home)

What You Need

  • Crossbar

  • Wire stripper

  • Studs x 2

  • Acorn caps x 2

  • Wall canopy

  • Threaded nipple (1 inch)

  • Washer

  • Lock washer

  • Nut

  • Swivel x 2

  • Pipe Coupling

  • 10″ pipe

  • UNO Keyless socket

  • Threaded nipple (1/2 inch)

  • UNO threaded spoked holder

  • 10″ brass cone

(Image credit: Cheryl of Maya at Home)
(Image credit: Cheryl of Maya at Home)

Instructions

  1. Spray paint any item you want black. I wanted my canopy and pipe to be black and used Rust-Oleum’s matte black. Remember to cover your pipe threads before spray painting!
  2. Wire your UNO wireless socket. This process is the same as wiring any other socket – just remember black to gold, white to silver!
  3. Once you have your socket wired, screw in your 1/2″ steel nipple and thread your wires through. Then unscrew your swivel and screw it into the steel nipple connected to your socket. When threading your wires through your swivel, make sure that you wire them around the center of the swivel. You don’t want to squish your wires when you re-assemble your swivel.
  4. Re-assemble your swivel.
  5. Connect your pipe to the swivel you re-assembled and thread your wires through. Disassemble your second swivel and connect it to your pipe. Re-assemble it with the wires in place. Then screw in your 1″ steel nipple into your second swivel and pipe couple around your steel nipple. Then thread it through your canopy and we are almost there!
  6. Now to secure it all to your canopy. First thread your steel nipple through your washer, followed by your star/lock washer and lastly tighten your steel nut around it all.
  7. Screw your socket through the spoked holder and attach your cone to your spoked holder and tighten the three screws on the spoked holder to secure it.
  8. Attach your cross bar to your wall. We use a cross bar because the top part of the bar swivels so that we can attach our sconce to it and have the screws adjusted straight.
  9. Secure your light to the wall and wire it up. (If you aren’t familiar with wiring a light, please please get an electrician. Do not attempt if you are not comfortable!!) Thread your studs through to your crossbar and secure them with your acorn caps. Then turn on your power, adjust the swivel of your lights and TA-DAH!

Thanks, Cheryl! You can see more on Maya at Home.

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