For anyone who has a small bedroom or office space, for renters who can’t easily make changes or for anyone who simply doesn’t want the expense or hassle of an electrician, here is my guide to the best alternatives to traditional lighting. There may be many reasons why options such as plug-in table lamps, wired-in sconces or ceiling pendants (a.k.a. “the big light”) are not right for your space. My top solutions are:
Plug-in wall lights
Plug-in wall lights/sconces are wall mounted lights that don’t need to be wired to the mains, but instead have a cable that can be plugged in.
They provide a great alternative to a bedside lamp if you don’t have space for a bedside table or simply want the look of wall sconces without the expensive of an electrician.
1) Complete plug-in wall lights
There are two types of plug-in wall lights. First, they can be sold as a complete unit, where all you have to do is attach it to the wall, add your choice of bulb and plug it in.
- Nordlux wall light John Lewis & Partners
- Laura Ashley wall light John Lewis & Partners
- Nordlux wall light John Lewis & Partners
- Gold wall light Dunelm
- Glass wall light Dunelm
- Rattan wall light Dunelm
- Hanging wall light Dunelm
- Gold wall light Dunelm
- Wall light with shade Dunelm
2) Customisable plug-in wall lights
Plug-in wall lights can also be highly customisable, with your choice of bracket, cable, switch, bulb holder and bulb. Components can be the colour or material of your choice, such as recycled plastic, chrome, brass, wood, concrete or even bakelite.
So for example, you could choose a neon pink combo for a pop of dopamine decor or a braided cable with oak or brass fixtures for a more vintage look. Alternatively, if you don’t want to make a feature of the cable then choose the same colour as your wall.
Some retailers provide all options in one customisable bundle or you can mix and match from different suppliers.
Bracket only: SarusOriginals, Etsy / duggiDesign, Etsy / RyonDesign, Etsy
Wireless wall lights
If you prefer not to have a visible cable, then rechargeable or battery-powered wall lights may be the answer. These do require some ongoing work to keep the lights on, either by plugging in a USB cable or replacing the batteries. However, they can be placed anywhere and are often lightweight enough to be hung with adhesive strips so no drilling required. Perfect for a hallway or gallery wall.
Rechargeable lamps
If a nearby socket or wall is not available, or if you’d like the light to be more portable, then consider a rechargeable lamp.
These are a stylist’s dream as they can be placed anywhere without restriction, but as the light can be quite dim they are most appropriate for mood lighting. After use they will require recharging via USB or the cable provided.
My Top Rechargeable Lamps
Not just for camping anymore, there are some very stylish cordless lights now available.
- Olive rechargeable lamp Dunelm
- Rechargeable lamps Etsy
- Cordless lightbulb John Lewis & Partners
- Mushroom rechargeable lamp John Lewis & Partners
- Gold rechargeable lamp Dunelm
- Cordless lamp ImperiumLighting, Etsy
- Glass rechargeable lamp Dunelm
- Peach rechargeable lamp Dunelm
- Battery powered lamp ElderandMoss, Etsy
Rechargeable bulbs
Another option is to use a rechargeable bulb with any sconce or lamp of your choice. You will need to remove any existing wiring and then choose an appropriate bulb depending on your requirements – type of bulb, size of bulb, warm or cool light etc. Things are going to get a bit techie for this next part!
There are two main types. The first are called rechargeable or battery backup bulbs. These work like any normal LED bulb, providing light when connected to a power supply via a lamp or sconce. However, at the same time they also charge an internal battery. Therefore, if there is a power cut, or the lamp is unplugged, the bulb will continue to provide light using the energy stored in the battery. In this case no extra charging cables are required, but you will need to regularly swap two bulbs – one charging in a regular wired lamp and the other providing light from a non-wired wall light or lamp.
Two types – 1. Battery backup bulbs, 2. Rechargeable bulbs
The second type are confusingly also known as rechargeable lightbulbs, but these are charged by plugging a USB cable directly into the bulb itself. This offers the flexibility of using the bulb in any light fixture (with the wiring removed), plus they can usually be turned on or off via remote control. However, they should not be confused with a smart bulb, i.e. a bulb which will connect to wi-fi or Bluetooth and can be scheduled or controlled via an app or smart home system. Again, having two bulbs will help, one to use and one to charge.
To ensure a rechargeable light bulb will fit, it is important to check your intended lamp or wall light instructions to confirm the type of bulb required. There are two main factors – the base and the size. The two most common base types are bayonet cap and Edison screw, so light bulbs are coded either B or E followed by the size in millimetres. So, for example, standard light fittings in the UK most commonly use B22 or E27, while lamps sometimes use E14, known as a small Edison screw. Alternatively, if you are using a lampshade make sure the bulb comes with a hook or holder which can be attached to the shade’s frame.
Other options
Finally, there are a few other options to consider. LED touch lights, also known as puck lights for their shape, are small round lights that can be stuck to most surfaces. They are inexpensive, very adaptable and usually offer remote control and colour-changing options. However, they are best utilised when they can be placed out of direct sight. Alternatively, you could consider setting the mood with fairy lights or bringing the outdoors in by repurposing a rechargeable or solar-powered garden light.
The Range / HollyAnneDesignShop, Etsy / John Lewis & Partners
If all else fails there’s always the viral neon wave mirror from The Range!
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