I have decided that this year will be the year of the chic wall lights. Every bedroom, coffee nook, study, and powder room will feel more put together with a stylish wall light. It just feels… deliberate. Even if it's actually a two-step, five-minute DIY that costs next to nothing – like this one I just saw on TikTok.
Julie Sousa, who goes by @the_avantgarde on TikTok, regularly shares cheap, quick and stylish DIY ideas, and in her latest post she proved that expensive-looking lighting can be achieved in an afternoon of crafting. She simply glued a wooden bowl and tray together and created a mood lighting masterpiece.
Quality, stylish lighting can make or break a room, and a wall sconce or candle sconce is a lighting trend that promises both form and function. It gets even better when you can make it at home in just five minutes and for less than $50.
@the_avantgarde ♬ Do you believe in magic? – The loving spoon
For this nifty lighting hack, all you need is a tray and bowl of the same width, a rechargeable puck light or flameless candle, and some E6000 glue (available on Amazon) to hold the two pieces tightly together. And don't forget a few command strips, like these from Amazon, to attach the sconce to the wall. Yes, it's the perfect renter-friendly wall decor idea!
While she puts two of her homemade wall lights on either side of her bed, I could just as easily imagine them lighting a living room without a ceiling light. Just imagine the soft glow of candlelight or the convenience of a remote-controlled puck light. No wiring required.
Shop what you need for this DIY below.
Buy the DIY wall light
Samhita Mango Oval Wooden Tray
Samhita round bowl made of mango wood
Battery LED light strip under the cabinet
The biggest problem with getting good wall lights is that most high-quality options come with a cord or require wiring. While plug-in wall lights can be stylish, it's not always that easy to figure out how to strategically hide the cord.
Not only does this trick solve the problem of messy cables, but the natural materials used in Julie's DIY also create a final look that feels elegant and classy. The wood accents add an organic element to the space that fits a variety of different design concepts. But of course you can use bowls and trays in any color you like. Just make sure they are light enough to easily hang on the wall.
Do you like the look but don't feel like crafting? Below are some pre-made options that still capture the essence of this ingenious and stylish DIY without having to do a lot of work.
Shop similar wall lights
Wooden wall candlestick
Simple modern Nordic wall light
Oval brass candle holder with gold leaf and wall light
Price: $114.99/set of 2, Was: $126.99
Sziqiqi Farmhouse candlestick
Price: $20.99/set of 2, Was: $23.99
Roxane wall lamp made of white marble from Goop