Create a modern sconce with easy tweaks

June 29, 2021

I've always loved the look of simple, black candle sconces. You know -- the classic and elegant metal sconce with a pillar or taper candle. I just think they are lovely! Plus, I'm a sucker for a pop of black (I try to add a touch of black to every room), especially on a crisp, white wall. 

Everything I found online was way too expensive, so I figured out how to give a rustic sconce the modern look I wanted! 

I was SO pleased with how everything had come together after I hung the pinstripe wallpaper in the little vestibule off our foyer last year. The only little detail I was craving was adding a couple sconces on the trimmed out white wall:
pinstripe wallpaper and wall trim foyer

This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience. 
See my policies and disclosure page for more information.  

I've loved the Pottery Barn versions I've seen over the years...I mean, of course! PB has always had that classic design that I gravitate towards. 

The problem is, the ones I loved were lovely, but more than I wanted to spend. I love these Parker candle sconces
pottery barn sconce with glass

I liked this size (about two feet tall) and the design was just what I was looking for, but $80 was way way more than I was willing to spend for this look. 

This pillar sconce isn't a bad deal really, you can get both for $60: 

rustic black pottery barn sconce

But they were a bit more rustic than I wanted and a little short for what I envisioned. 

I had an idea in mind that would cost even less! As I was walking through Hobby Lobby one day I came walked down an aisle that had my wheels turning. I found a bunch of wood and metal sconces and as soon as I saw this one I knew it was the one: 
rustic wood and metal candle sconce

I thought the wood backing was cute and almost just used it as it was, but I really had my heart set on the simple black sconces. 

They were half off ($20), so the price wasn't bad. I looked on the back and saw that there was a screw and a nut, so I figured it would be easy to separate them: 
detach wood and metal sconce

When I got it home I realized that the "screw" was really attached to the back of the metal part and held to the wood with the nut. So the screw ends were sticking out of the back of the metal piece. I was about to just push them into the wall (they are really small), when I remembered my Dad had a grinder bit for his drill. 

It worked awesome and got it right off! 

Then I used a regular drill bit (if the metal is thin the bit will go through fine) to make a hole. I hung the sconces with a screw into the wall (and an anchor) behind the sconce:
drill hole through metal for hanging

Obviously you can see the screw when you're right up on them, but it disappears a couple feet away. 

I liked the wood mount, but didn't know where I would put them. My sister took them and is hanging them as art. Two for one! 

They have a bunch of options you could do this with! The metal sconce on this one would look great all by itself!: 
rustic wood and metal candle sconces

And I love the soft lines of this one. I think it would be so lovely on it's own!: 
teardrop wood and metal sconces

If you prefer to have a glass sleeve around your candle, you can find them in various sizes here. They do add a nice finishing touch -- I'm not sure if I'll add the glass or not.

It was exactly what I wanted for this space:
tall black candle sconce on white wall

It's just the little something I was looking for: 
foyer with white wall and trim wood table

LOVE them! 

I've done a similar little hack in our family room. I can't even tell you how many times I've been asked about these brass candle sconces hanging on our fireplace: 
faux tiny white flowers in vase

family room two sofas tall fireplace

This is even easier than the black version! As long as your lanterns have a handle, you can remove the handles and then hang the candle holders from the holes for the handles. 

You may need to use some needle nose pliers to pry the handle off, but it won't be difficult. So simple!

These are almost an exact match to what I have on our fireplace, and I like that they are available in small, medium and large
brass candle lantern

If your sconces will hang lower where you can reach, you can use real candles. For these I use battery operated versions that run on a timer -- they go forever!

I also loved this skinny brass version
tall skinny candle lantern

And these hexagon lanterns would be beautiful on a wall as a sconce!: 
hexagon brass lantern with handle

It's such a simple little hack! Hanging them gives them a whole new look!

I love when I can figure out a way to make what I want (for less) by tweaking something else! Have you ever done something like this in your home? 

Here are the pretty options I found for you again: 

Walmart brass lantern (small to large) 


See more of our home here. 
To shop items in our home, click here! 
Never miss a post by signing up to get posts via email
Email subscription form header
Your email:*
Please enter all required fields Click to hide
Correct invalid entries Click to hide

Comments

  1. I LOVe the vase and flowers on your mantel.... details on that?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you! You can find all of the details here...https://www.thriftydecorchick.com/2021/02/pretty-fake-flowers-that-look-real.html

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love this idea and it’s perfect timing for a fireplace makeover that we are just about finished with! This is probably very obvious but could you describe how you attach the brass candle holder to the wall from the handle holes? I’m not getting it but this would be PERFECT for our project! Thank you in advance!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You can use a nail or screw and hang the lantern from that. (Using the hole the hanger was on.)

      Delete

If you have a specific question I will do my best to answer you back here!

You can find our paint colors and links to items at the "Our Home" tab at the top of my site.

THANKS so much for reading!