Can you hardwire a plug-in light fixture?

Yes. It is straightforward and safe to hardwire a plug-in lighting fixture. Similarly, you can convert a hardwire light fixture into a plug-in. Be sure to follow safety precautions if doing it yourself, or hire a professional electrician if in any doubt.

How do you install a plug-in light fixture?

A plug-in light fixture is designed to be plugged into a wall outlet, no hard wiring or special installation necessary. If you are installing a wall sconce, you will need to screw the sconce to the wall before plugging the power cord into an outlet. You might add a ceiling medallion to give a plug-in chandelier a more polished finish.

Why do bedrooms not have ceiling lights?

There are various reasons that a bedroom may not have a ceiling light . Some developers skip bedroom ceiling lights as a cost-cutting measure. Some architects and interior designers prefer to create a softer ambiance in a room devoted to sleep. If your bedroom doesn’t have a ceiling light, consider it a blessing: you don’t have something hanging over your head at night, you are less likely to wake up if your partner turns on a bedside rather than overhead light, and dimmable bedside lighting is more conducive to reading or relaxing before bed.

The 9 Best Plug-In Light Fixtures of 2021

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Quality lighting is a must-have for your home, but sometimes you might find that your existing light fixtures don’t give off enough light for the space. In this situation, you have a few options: You could hire an electrician to install additional lights, but this can get pricey. If you’re on a budget, you might be better off using plug-in light fixtures to brighten up your home, instead.

Plug-in light fixtures come in a wide range of shapes, styles, and sizes, and you can find options for just about every room in your home. Whether you want plug-in sconces next to your bed or a plug-in chandelier over your dining table, there are plenty of great options to suit your needs.

Here, our picks for the best plug-in light fixtures for all of your lighting needs.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Design House Millbridge 14-3/4 in. Oil-Rubbed Bronze Light at Home Depot

This swag light is stylish and versatile, so you can use it in your kitchen, living room, or bedroom without spending a fortune.

Read Review

Best Budget:

FadimiKoo Plug in Pendant Light at Amazon

You'll get a great deal on not one, but two light features that will add a bit of industrial coolness to your space.

Read Review

Best Wall Fixture:

Pottery Barn Custom Articulating Arm Sconce at Pottery Barn

The fixture arm has three adjustable hinges that allow you to change the shape and direction of the light as needed.

Read Review

Best Pendant:

Kenroy Home Irena Copper Swag Pendant at Home Depot

This eye-catching copper pendant light will look right at place in a dining room or over a kitchen island.

Read Review

Best Track Lights:

Hampton Bay 3-Light LED Plug-in Track Lighting Kit at Home Depot

Each unit features three LED bulbs that you can angle as needed, so you can provide light to certain spots in the room.

Read Review

Best for Bedside:

Wrought Studio Birchanger Plug-In Armed Sconce at Wayfair

The frosted globe helps to diffuse light, ensuring it's not too harsh on tired eyes, making this pick the perfect reading light.

Read Review

Best for Corners:

Home Concept Inc. Beacon Triangle Plug-In Corner Wall Light at Wayfair

The unique, triangular shape fits perfectly in the upper corners of your walls, providing light in hard-to-reach areas.

Read Review

Best Accent Light:

West Elm Staggered Glass 2-Light Plug-In Sconce at West Elm

This wall sconce is approved for use in damp locations, making it a great way to add soft, non-overhead lighting to your bathroom.

Read Review

Best Chandelier:

Mercer41 Hoang 5-Light Statement Geometric Chandelier at Wayfair

A dazzling centerpiece for a bedroom or dining space, this chandelier takes some time to assemble, but is worth it in the end.

Read Review

In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For

Millbridge 14-3/4 in. 1-Light Oil-Rubbed Bronze Swag Light

View On Home Depot

Whether you’re looking to add extra lighting to your kitchen, living room, bedroom, or another area of your house, one of your best options is the Design House Millbridge Swag Light. A swag light is another term for a plug-in fixture that you hang from the ceiling, and this stylish option is versatile and affordable—the perfect combo.

The Millbridge Light has a classic oil-rubbed bronze finish and an alabaster glass shade, and it includes an 18-inch chain and 20-inch cord that allow you to adjust the hanging height to suit your space. The fixture comes with a 10-year limited warranty.

View On Amazon

To brighten up your home on a budget, consider the FadimiKoo Plug-In Pendant Lights, which come in a pack of two for less than what most light fixtures cost alone. These hanging pendant lights have a simple black finish, and the cord on each light is just over 13 feet. You can control the lights via an on-off switch attached to the power cord, and the two lights would look great over a dining table, in a hallway, or on either side of your bed.

One thing to note before you check out: The pictured Edison bulbs are not included, so you'll need to get a pair of those for the full industrial look.

The 13 Best Places to Buy Lighting Fixtures in 2021

Custom Articulating Arm Sconce - Linen Drum Shade

View On Pottery Barn

If you’re looking for a plug-in light fixture for your wall, the Custom Articulating Arm Sconce has a classic appearance and unique design that allows it to be styled in several different ways. You can choose between bronze and nickel finishes for the fixture, and the light includes a 10-inch drum shade that’s made from cotton linen.

We especially like that the arm of the fixture has three hinges that you can adjust to change the shape and direction of the light, depending on how you'll be using it.

View On Home Depot

You can brighten up your living space—and give it a little flair—with the Kenroy Home Irena Copper Swag Pendant. This sleek modern light features a retro-inspired cage design in a bold copper finish, and its pendant style would make a perfect addition to your dining room or over a kitchen island.

The swag light has a 20-foot power cord with an on/off switch, and it’s easy to install anywhere in your home. We love the chic appearance and interesting design, but you certainly can't beat its reasonable price tag, either.

The 10 Best Pendant Lights

Hampton Bay 3-Light White LED Plug-in Track Lighting Kit Fixture

View On Home Depot

Track lights are ideal for task lighting, as you can angle their multiple bulbs in any direction. If you’re looking for plug-in track lighting, consider this LED fixture from Hampton Bay. Each of these units is just under 2 feet in length and features three multiple-direction LED bulbs that you can angle as needed.

The fixture gives off a warm white light, and it has an integrated rotary-style on/off dimmer switch that lets you lower the light down to 10 percent. The light features a 5-foot cord, and is best for it use in the kitchen, bathroom, or anywhere you need extra task lighting.

The Best Track Lighting

View On Wayfair

Need some extra reading light beside your bed? The Wrought Studio Birchanger Plug-In Armed Sconce would make an ideal bedside lamp. The unit has an on/off switch incorporated into the 96-inch power cord, so you don't need to reach far to turn off the lights when it's time to go to sleep. These sconces have a black metal arm with gold accents, and the frosted globe helps to diffuse light, ensuring it's not too harsh on tired eyes.

Home Concept Beacon Triangle Plug-In Corner Wall Light

View On Wayfair

It can be tricky to find appropriate lighting for the corners of your home, but this unique fixture might be just the solution you’re looking for. The Home Concept Beacon Triangle Plug-In Corner Wall Light is designed to fit perfectly in the upper corners of your walls, thanks to its triangular shape.

Each light has a white frame with a frosted white acrylic diffuser, and its extra-long cord has an on/off switch built right in. It's easy to install, so it's a quick way to light up the corners of your room in a space that might not be suited for floor or table lamps.

The 8 Best Closet Lighting Units of 2021

View On West Elm

Accent lights are more about aesthetic than function, and you can instantly upgrade any room with these Staggered Glass 2-Light Plug-In Sconces. These fixtures feature a bold modern look, thanks to their brass-colored body and dual glass orbs.

The glass shades have a milky finish, and the cord is 74 inches long. There’s an on/off rotary switch on the unit’s wall plate, and the light is actually approved for use in damp locations, so you can provide some soft, non-overhead lighting in your bathroom.

Mercer41 Hoang 5-Light Statement Geometric Chandelier

View On Wayfair

There’s no better way to dress up your bedroom or dining space than with a stunning chandelier. This particular chandelier is just under 19 inches in diameter, and it sports a drum-shaped shade with curved trellis sides. There are faceted crystals in each opening to create a dazzling display, and additional strands of crystals hand from the bottom of the fixture for added flair.

The chandelier uses five bulbs to light up your space, and it comes with a 15-foot plug-in cord, as well as hardwiring hardware. Just be aware that you have to hang all of the crystals by hand, so this choice may take some time to assemble initially—but your hard work will pay off in a beautiful display in the end.

The 10 Best Chandeliers of 2021

Cord Length

Ensure that the cord on your plug-in lighting fixture is long enough to reach an existing electrical outlet. You can always add an extension cord if it’s too short. However, that will create cord clutter that may be a trip hazard or be aesthetically unappealing if seeing cords and wires bothers you.

Cord Color Options

When buying a plug-in chandelier, pendant light, or sconce, keep in mind that the cord will be visible. Pendant lights with visible cords can become a design feature that lends a graphic or industrial look to your space with black cords strung up and draped or knotted stylishly on a swag hook. Wall sconces hung on white walls might look best with white cords that will blend in and keep the focus on the light fixture. Or you can look for plug-in lights with customizable cord options in metallics and bright colors.

Versatility

Plug-in lighting is less of a commitment than hardwired lighting, since it doesn’t need to be hooked up to an electrical box and can be moved easily. This makes plug-in lighting a great option for renters or those who like to change up their light fixtures. Look for plug-in lighting that is versatile enough to use in another location so that you can take it with you when you move.

FAQ

Can you hardwire a plug-in light fixture?

Yes. It is straightforward and safe to hardwire a plug-in lighting fixture. Similarly, you can convert a hardwire light fixture into a plug-in. Be sure to follow safety precautions if doing it yourself, or hire a professional electrician if in any doubt.
How do you install a plug-in light fixture?

A plug-in light fixture is designed to be plugged into a wall outlet, no hard wiring or special installation necessary. If you are installing a wall sconce, you will need to screw the sconce to the wall before plugging the power cord into an outlet. You might add a ceiling medallion to give a plug-in chandelier a more polished finish.
Why do bedrooms not have ceiling lights?

There are various reasons that a bedroom may not have a ceiling light. Some developers skip bedroom ceiling lights as a cost-cutting measure. Some architects and interior designers prefer to create a softer ambiance in a room devoted to sleep. If your bedroom doesn’t have a ceiling light, consider it a blessing: you don’t have something hanging over your head at night, you are less likely to wake up if your partner turns on a bedside rather than overhead light, and dimmable bedside lighting is more conducive to reading or relaxing before bed.