We love this cozy corner of our living room. The built-in bench and bookcase feel so charming, but without a light source the space seemed a bit gloomy, especially on winter evenings.
We plan to install wall sconces throughout the room eventually, but doing that right before the holidays wasn’t practical. Instead, we used a simple workaround that gives the warm, welcoming light we wanted immediately—no wiring required. When an electrician comes for other work, we’ll have the sconce wired in properly then.
You may recall a similar rechargeable bulb idea we used in our previous home. We brought a few unused sconces with us when we moved, and one fit perfectly on the side of this bookcase. It looks as if it was always meant to be there. Warm, soft lighting transforms the feel of a room and makes the whole space more inviting even when the light is off.
Rechargeable light bulbs are a practical solution for this kind of installation. Because they recharge inside a plugged-in lamp rather than relying on disposable batteries, they save you the ongoing cost of replacements. They also tend to emit a warmer tone than many puck lights, which can look cooler and less cozy.
The trade-off is that rechargeable bulbs need to be periodically charged. I recharge mine in a corded lamp or socket I keep in my office. To make it easy, I own two bulbs so one can charge while the other is in use—this keeps the light available when I need it. While not as immediate as flipping a wall switch, the convenience and ambiance make it worth a little extra effort for a spot where a wired sconce isn’t yet installed.
If you can wire a sconce now, that’s ideal. But if wiring isn’t an option, consider a rechargeable bulb, a battery-operated sconce, a lamp, or even battery candles—any of these options will instantly warm up a space and change how it feels.
Related posts:
See how I used this rechargeable bulb trick in my previous office.
My dining room candle sconces and favorite battery-operated candles