What is proper procedure for removing wall light and capping off wires

The use of plate is "up to code", however, since you desire the wires to be dead you should disconnect/ terminate the hot at the switch, disconnect your wires and pull them out of the sconce box and switch box. Then you can rock and float the sconce box.

But, if you're me and plan on living in the house forever, terminate the hot at the switch and rock/plaster over the sconce box. You never know if you may want the wire to "light" a different part of the room in the future.

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I am removing a sconce and will not be putting anything in its place. Something tells me I can't simply cap of wires and drywall over. Hoping I don't need to install a plate.

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as mentioned above, you cannot hide the ends of electrical wires, code says they must be ended inside an electrical box

the plate is nothing, its just a simple light switch/outlet type cover plate without any holes in it.

you want the one for wet location that includes the foam gasket or buy the gasket separate if need be, one like this LINK


turn off power to that light, then turn off the switch for added safety, remove the sconse light, disconnect each wire one at a time and tighten a wire nut on the end of the romex wire.

i like to also wrap electrical tap around the nut and down the wire a bit, so the wire nut cannot unscrew or come loose. when you are done, tuck the wires into the outlet box and screw on the cover with gasket. if its protected from any direct rainfall on that wall, you can get by without the gasket

As mentioned, you cannot just leave em in the wall without a box and plate. It’s against code and potentially dangerous.

If you don’t want to put a plate and want to remove/cover the box, go up in the attic, locate the wire drop going to the sconce (hopefully it goes through attic and not through wall), you can cut the wire and add a box in the attic. Then you can cover the box in the wall without issue.