Barn light sconces over the bench
June 04, 2014
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Hey hey all! I’m back today with a little progress in the mud room. I am SO excited – I love when things come together the way they look in my head. :)
Because this space used to be a laundry/mud room combo, and it drove me absolutely mad, and was always a disaster:
We had outlets in that little nook where the washer and dryer were. I kept them when I added the DIY bench and the beadboard.
I’m not sure what we’ll ever use them for, but I’m not one to ever cover up an outlet:
You never know when you might want them!
So because the two outlets were perfectly spaced on the wall I got an idea a few months back, and it finally came to fruition:
Sconces baby! Yeah!
Our electrician friend has been crazy busy so I figured I would do it when he was available. He was free a few days ago so for $150 I had these installed in a couple hours!
Did you know if you have an outlet, you can add a sconce above it? You just need to tie into the electrical and add a switch – no biggie. ;) Actually, it doesn’t seem that hard, so I’m determined to figure out how to do this on my own. I have so many spots in the house I’d like to add some wall lighting.
I am so thrilled with how they look! Ack, I just love them:
I was so happy I celebrated by painting the door trim in the room! Everything still needs one more coat of glossy white, but I’m just happy to not have the bare wood staring at me every day.
The galvanized barn lights were from Lowe’s:
They don’t match the hardware in there exactly, but I’m not worried about it. It’s the same lighter tone. It is SO nice to have added light in here: 
I just think they are adorable:
That little mark on the wall above the pillows needs to be touched up – that was where he was going to put the light switch but our old dryer vent was there, so it’s on the right instead.
It’s coming together! This room has undergone a HUGE transition and it’s functioning so well for us. I’m so grateful we were able to move the washer and dryer to the basement.
Our cats LOVE that bench cushion, by the way. One of them is laying on it every time we walk in the door:
Even our elusive Maine Coon came out for photos. ;) He doesn’t show up here on the blog often.
I’m getting closer to the end of the DIY list for this room…a little more painting, touch ups, the storage on the wall above the bench, crown molding…and then some fun final touches like art and a few accessories. Can’t wait!!
Have you added sconces anywhere in your home? I’ve used plug in versions a few times in our house – in our master, the basement and two in the Bub’s room. Love the look of them!
They look fantastic- just like they were always meant to be there! Thanks for the tip about outlets and sconces- you've got my wheels turning, now. I like your Maine Coon kitty, too. We have one, and he's a chatty social butterfly. Funny how cats all have different personalities.
ReplyDeleteThank you Vicki! Our guy is a sweetie but he's getting so old. He's happy just laying on our bed ALL day now. :)
DeleteLove the lights! Thanks for sharing. These would look perfect in my mudroom too!
ReplyDeleteHappy to meet your Maine Coon. I have one too, but she seems to be the first to get in a photo around here.
ReplyDeleteThe barn light sconces look great, by the way. Nice touch for the room.
Looks great, Sarah! I didn't realize it was that easy to add a sconce. You can bet I'll be looking around my house now to see where I could add one above an outlet.
ReplyDeleteLove them, they look amazing. What a fabuous idea.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea, thanks for sharing! I can't wait to see more...
ReplyDeleteLove it, looks fabulous! I've always loved that style light. Just something about them...
ReplyDeleteThose look fantastic - like they were always meant to be there! Great job! And nice that the cats approve too :)
ReplyDeleteLooks prefect Sarah!!
ReplyDeleteLooks awesome! I love your new space - its so much more refreshing and beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThey look great! I would love to add sconces on either side of our bench and shelf in the mudroom. I wish I had thought of that when we were building. You could always use the outlets as a charging station. That way, you won't forget your cell phone before you go out:)
ReplyDeleteThey look great, Sarah! I try to stay away from electric projects, I don't like to deal with those cables, I pass that job onto my husband but he - takes - his - time, so I guess I have to learn more about that too!
ReplyDeleteThat room is absolutely beautiful Sarah. You have more guts than I ever will. I can't even flip the circuit breakers because I am so afraid of electricity. Keep up the good work and when you are through, please come to my house.
ReplyDeleteThat whole nook is so awesome! I'm a wuss when it comes to electrical but this makes me want to conquer my fear a little bit. I never knew the tip about the outlets. Good to know!
ReplyDeleteIt looks great and I love the colors. You did an amazing job on the bench/storage. I have always adored the barn lights and must get some. I am so glad to learn that a sconce can be put in above a plug-in without being costly and labor intensive. Thanks so much for sharing and tell your electrician friend we appreciate the info too. The kitty is adorable and I'm sure he thinks this was done especially for him, right -- to cute !!!
ReplyDeleteIt looks gorgeous. The saturated color on the bead board mixed with the lighter metal is pretty. I will definitely be using this new found knowledge of outlets in the future. I have two wall sconces that plug in and luckily their cords hide well installing ones out in the open..... Sounds amazing. -Kathy
ReplyDeleteLooks so good! The cats must be thrilled that you created this space just for them, ha! As for adding lights (and cables and...whatever!) I'm super lucky because my Dad is an electrician, and I pay him in hugs, coffee, and chocolate chip cookies. ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is awesome! Yay!
ReplyDeleteFirst, awesome to know how easy it is to install sconces over outlets...that has the gears turning in my mind. Second, I love your mudroom...of all the spaces I wish we had, a mudroom is high on the list. We have a mud-room-like set up in a corner of our family room, but I am hatching a plan to make it a for real mudroom down the line. :)
ReplyDeleteI am crazy about barn light sconces. I am curious about the switches. I have a place where I could put 2 sconces above 2 outlets, but I was wondering about how/where the switches would be?
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see how the sconces look with the addition of the storage above the bench!
ReplyDeleteLove them! I have two of those same fixtures that a friend converted to hanging fixtures over my breakfast bar...if I ever move they are coming with me!!
ReplyDeleteIf you want the outlets to blend in if you have no use for them at the present time, you can cover them with solid switch plates and paint them to match the wall. For some, this might be a better choice, especially if they have small children that are continually drawn to them, even with safety guards in the plugs.
ReplyDeleteThis looks amazing but I second the motion. The switch plates should be painted the same color as the beadboard or a silver color to coordinate with your lights.
ReplyDeleteThe one is blocked by pillows and I really don't mind the other one. :)
DeleteWhat a happy happy space. I love the lights and I love the fabric that you selected for the bench!
ReplyDeleteWe recently bought a 1918 farmhouse. The master bedroom has two sconces which are about the ugliest things on planet earth. The walls being lath and plaster, we are going to keep sconces in there rather than trying to move a light to the center. I wonder if the ones you used would look good in there? We don't have the room decorated yet...
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous! I want to sconce my whole house, but I got a quote of $250 an outlet. Boo! Maybe I'll check prices of contractors in the smaller town next to mine. Your mudroom looks great and I love that the cats enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteYes, keep trying! It really is a fairly simple job, if the outlet is right there.
DeleteThe space is so darn pretty!! I love the color and the pattern, the light fixtures look great!!
ReplyDeleteThat is so lovely! You did a great job!
ReplyDeleteLove the interior furnishing so much, especially love your way of presentation.
ReplyDeleteThat looks awesome! I love the color and symmetry of the barn lights over the outlets!
ReplyDeleteI was very disappointed to see an ad for a political candidate (Rob Dekker) on your blog for the Ontario provincial election. His party has promised to cut 100,000 public service jobs. Your lovely blog about home decorating is no place for politics. I will not be following your blog if this ad continues. Respectfully yours, S. Burton, Ottawa, Canada
ReplyDeleteSandra, my ads are based on the search traffic on your own computer, not what I specifically pick.
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