How to Install Wall Light Fixtures

Sconces and wall lamps are a way of lighting a room that saves space relative to a lamp but avoids the dreariness of ceiling fixtures. These fixtures can be cheap or expensive, and they are always a snap to install. When tastefully chosen, they will beautify and improve any room.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Marker
• Level
• Nail
• Rubber mallet
• Dry wall anchors
• Screwdriver
• Screws
• Screw-on wiring connectors

1. Take the light fixture to the work area, where the wiring is hanging out of the wall. Place it over this area, being careful to not push the wiring back into the wall and lose it. Check to see whether it is level, and then mark the mounting points.

2. Poke a hole in the wall with the nail, and then tap in the dry wall anchors with the rubber mallet. Unless your light fixture weighs more than 50 pounds, and very few do, dry wall anchors will be sufficient to hold it.

3. Turn off the power for that room at the fuse box/circuit box. Do not merely leave the light switch turned off.

4. Match the neutral leads and the positive leads of the wiring from the wall and that of the fixture together, and twist each set of copper wiring together. Then cover them with plastic, screw-on wiring connectors.

5. Mount the fixture by screwing it into place, using a screwdriver and the anchors.

Tips & Warnings

• In the rare instance of a light fixture heavier than 50 pounds, use molly bolts instead of drywall anchors.

Resources

• Lowes: Interior Wall Lights
• Home Depot: Lighting and Fans