We love this small corner of our living room. The built-in bench and bookcase are full of character, but without a nearby light source the area felt a little dreary, especially on long winter evenings.
We plan to install wall sconces throughout the room eventually, but adding hardwired lighting wasn’t an option right before the holidays. Instead, we chose a simple, temporary solution that gave the warm, cozy glow we wanted without immediate wiring. When we have an electrician do other work, we’ll have the sconce wired in permanently.
You may remember the rechargeable lightbulb trick I used in our previous house. Before we moved, we had bought several sconces that didn’t end up being used, so we brought one along. This sconce fit perfectly on the side of the bookcase—as if it had always belonged there. Warm, ambient light changes the feel of a space, and even when the lamp is off, its presence makes the corner feel more inviting.
Rechargeable lightbulbs are an ideal solution for a spot like this. Because they’re rechargeable rather than battery-powered, you avoid the ongoing cost and waste of replacement batteries. They also tend to emit a warmer light than many puck-style battery lamps, which often appear cooler in tone.
The trade-off is that the bulbs must be recharged periodically. To recharge, you simply screw the bulb into a plugged-in lamp or a corded light socket that supplies power. Charging isn’t difficult, and having two bulbs makes the process effortless—one charges while the other is in use, so you always have a ready spare.
Using a rechargeable bulb isn’t the same as flipping a hardwired switch, but for us the convenience and immediate improvement in ambiance made it worthwhile. If you can wire a sconce now, that’s great, but a rechargeable bulb provides an easy way to add soft, welcoming light wherever you need it. Whether you choose a lamp, a hardwired sconce, a battery-operated option, or candlelight, cozy lighting makes a dramatic difference in how a room feels.
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See how I used this light trick in my old office. My dining room candle sconces and favorite battery-operated candles also show other ways to create warm, inviting light without immediate rewiring.