Wall Sconces with Switch

Wall Sconces With Switch: Turn the Light On Right Where You Are

It is a small problem with a big effect: you install a lovely sconce, then realize the only way to turn it on is a switch across the room, or worse, a breaker. A wall sconce with switch solves that by putting the control on the fixture itself. Reach up, pull a chain or flick a small lever, and the light is on.

That makes the switched sconce the practical favorite for bedrooms, hallways and anywhere that rewiring a wall switch would mean cutting into plaster or paint. The collection has 53 fixtures in wood, glass, aluminum, iron, brass, rattan and travertine, from Scandinavian and Japandi to vintage and boho, so convenience does not cost you any style.

What Kinds of On-Fixture Switches Exist

Not all switches feel the same, and the one you pick will touch your hand every night. The most charming is the pull chain, a beaded chain that hangs from the socket and clicks on and off, as on our brass pull chain sconce with a glass shade. Others use a small rocker or toggle on the base, a rotary knob on the socket, or an inline switch on the cord of a plug-in model.

Think about where your hand will fall. A chain is easy to find in the dark if it hangs below the shade, whereas a small switch on the back plate is neat but harder to hit. Check the product photos and description to see where the control sits.

Hardwired With a Switch vs Plug-In

Fifty-one of the 53 fixtures are hardwired and two are plug-in. A hardwired sconce with its own switch still connects to the junction box, but you do not need a switch on the wall, which is useful when the wall box feeds a circuit that is always on. Always switch off the breaker before wiring, and use a licensed electrician if you have no box or are unsure about the circuit.

If you do not want to touch any wiring, the plug-in versions go into an outlet, and a cord cover can tidy the wire. For something fully wireless, see battery operated wall sconces. The steps for replacing an old fixture with a new one are in how to replace a light fixture safely.

Choosing the Bulb

The collection is a mix of bulb types: 21 have an integrated LED, 18 use the standard E26 base, five take the smaller E12 candelabra base, four use G9 capsules, and a couple use GU10 or E17. For decorative shades, E12 and E26 LED bulbs in warm white give the most flexible results; if you are unsure which fits, check E26 vs E12 bulbs.

One thing to note: none of these fixtures is dimmable by design, because the on-fixture switch is on or off. If you want to tune the brightness, look at dimmable wall sconces instead.

Where a Switched Sconce Works Best

The bedroom takes the largest share, with 39 fixtures, and it makes sense: a sconce you can switch from bed beats one that needs a trip to the door. Mount a pair about 52 to 60 inches from the floor with a chain within easy reach. The living room follows, with 36 pieces, then hallways with 22 and staircases with 11.

In a hallway or on stairs, you probably want a switch near the entrance, and many people leave one lamp always on. Browse hallway wall sconces for corridor options, and read our how high to mount wall sconces guide for room-by-room heights.

Style and Materials for Every Wall

Glass and fabric shades give a diffused, flattering glow for reading, while wooden spot lights and rattan designs feel relaxed and organic. Brass adds a classic accent, and iron or aluminum give a streamlined industrial or modern profile. Match the metal to the other hardware in the room: a brass chain beside a brass bed lamp, or black iron with black window frames.

For slim and modern shapes, our LED wall sconces combine well with a switch or a remote. For direction and reach, swing arm wall sconces add a movable head.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Hanging the sconce so high that you cannot reach the chain from bed.
• Forgetting that the fixture must also be wired to a live circuit, not a switched dead end.
• Buying a fixture whose switch type is awkward for your hand or a child's.
• Leaving the old wall switch off after you install a fixture that has its own.

FAQ: Wall Sconces With an On/Off Switch

What is a wall sconce?

A wall sconce is a light fixture mounted on a wall. It provides ambient, task or accent lighting and takes up no floor space.

What is a sconce light fixture?

It is a wall-mounted light with a back plate, a body and a light source, sometimes with a shade, switch or adjustable arm.

What is a wall sconce light?

It is simply another name for a sconce: a light on the wall at roughly eye level or above, used in bedrooms, halls and living rooms.

Can I install a wall sconce with a switch without an electrician?

Plug-in models need no wiring. A hardwired fixture needs a junction box and safe work with the breaker off. If you have any doubt, hire a licensed electrician.

Do I still need a wall switch?

Not for the fixture itself, but the circuit must be live. Many homeowners leave the wall switch on, or use the wall switch as the main control and keep the fixture switch for convenience.

Where is the best place to put a switched sconce?

Beside a bed, an armchair or a bookshelf, where the switch is within reach, and in rooms where a new wall switch would be hard to add.

Explore More Wall Lighting Options

If this page is your starting point, the main wall sconces collection shows the whole range. For bedside use, our wall reading lights and bedroom wall sconces have many of the same pull chain styles.

Want light for stairs? Our staircase wall sconces keep the steps visible at night.

The Aftensol Switch Collection

We gather these pieces for the way people live: a nightly click, no fuss, and shapes that look good in natural materials. Free shipping on every order and 30-day returns let you test the fit.

Keep exploring: living room wall sconces · wall sconces