DIY An Expensive-Looking Wall Sconce Using Affordable Items From Five Below

Getting your home to look like it's from a home design magazine is easier said than done. Not only do you need to find inspiration that matches your own design preferences, but you also need to spend a significant chunk of cash on the decor upgrades. However, if you're interested in adding a little bit of visual appeal to your walls without spending a lot of money, there's an easy option using items from a nationwide budget retailer — Five Below — and no one will be the wiser that the expensive-looking DIY cost under $20.

TikTok creator @the_avantgarde shows how they use a few simple items from Five Below to create wooden wall sconces that look like they cost a pretty penny. The steps are so easy to replicate that you can make your own copycat sconces in an afternoon. Begin by collecting your materials. The TikTok creator got a wooden bowl incense holder ($5) and an 11-inch decorative wooden tray ($5) from Five Below, but you'll also need some 3M adhesive hanging strips and a crafting glue like E6000. Finally, you'll want a battery-operated candle to place in the sconce once it's done. 

This project is perfect if you're a DIYer who wants quick gratification, but it also proves ideal if you rent and are looking for damage-free decor inspiration. The 3M adhesive Velcro strips are as easy to take down as they are to put up, and your sconces will be in perfect condition and ready to use again in your next location. All you'll need to do is attach new adhesive strips to this expensive-looking hack.

Putting the sconce together is incredibly easy. However, before you begin the project, you'll need to prep your workstation. To protect your skin from the adhesive, it's always a good idea to use disposable gloves. It's also wise to spread out an old paper bag or newspaper, especially if you're working on a nice surface like a kitchen table or countertop. Remember to also properly ventilate your space while working with crafting adhesives. If you feel safer using a less potent adhesive, hot glue should similarly to E6000 but will set faster.

Now that your space is ready, simply apply a hefty amount of adhesive to the lower third of the decorative tray's front, the press the wooden bowl ready onto the glue. Hold the bowl against the tray until the bond has gotten tacky. Then give the bond enough time to set; E6000 should cure in 24 hours, but it takes three full days to reach its peak strength. Once the wooden tray is firmly adhered to the wooden bowl, turn the sconce around and apply two long strips of 3M adhesive Velcro, one on either side of the tray, with corresponding strips on the wall. Be sure to follow the instructions on the 3M strips' packaging, or you risk the sconce falling off the wall. While the content creator uses a real, burning candle with the sconce, a battery-operated candle is a safer bet. Remember to also install your wall sconces at the right height for optimal visual appeal.

While this DIY is a pretty solid project without any modifications, there are ways to personalize it to your tastes. Firstly, you can keep everything the same but paint the wooden tray and the bowl a unique color, which could make it more versatile if your aesthetic doesn't have much wood in it. Neutral colors will help the sconce blend seamlessly into a variety of settings, while a bright color could make it pop and become a statement piece. Whether you choose to paint the entire piece or keep it in its natural tone, you could add a bit of flair by stenciling a pattern on the wood. 

Another way to personalize this DIY sconce is to go with different materials altogether. A ceramic decorative tray and bowl could just as easily stand in for the wooden materials used in the TikTok tutorial. Items from Target's Threshold line, such as this white stoneware cereal bowl ($5) and the Modern Soft Touch Tray ($15), could offer some inspiration for a ceramic version of the DIY. Whatever materials you choose to work with, remember to measure the diameter of the bowl against the width of the tray to ensure a snug fit.