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Design 101
Light up Your Life With the Best Wall Sconces
October 03, 2024
When it comes to adding both light and character to a room, nothing beats the wall sconce. These little lights are perfect for brightening up any space, and they fit easily into any aesthetic. Check out some of the best wall sconces for your living room, bedroom, office, or anywhere else you’d like a touch of illumination.
What’s a Wall Sconce?
A wall sconce is a type of home lighting that can both decorate and illuminate a space. Sconces come in many styles, some ornate, others simpler. They’re a popular choice for lighting small spaces, providing directed light to a single area, or simply adding a splash of character to a room or hallway.
Sconces can be directly wired into the wall, plugged into a nearby outlet, or they can be battery-powered for easy installation. The best battery operated wall sconces have a discreet cover on the back that fits into the holder, keeping the battery compartment hidden but accessible.
Directional Options
Because sconces can provide directed light, they come in several directional options. While the most common is a vertical sconce that directs light downward, wall sconces can also be directed upward or to either side. Some sconces also have multiple light sources directing illumination both up and down, to both sides, or even in all four compass directions.
Often sconces are also flexible enough to be installed with the light facing the direction of your choice. When deciding on a sconce, be sure to consider what you want it to illuminate to help you choose the best direction and style.
Shade Types
Wall sconces are usually covered by some kind of shade to diffuse the light. Sconce shades can be similar to typical lamp shades, with a conical cover directing light upward or downward. However, there are a wide variety of other options, including glass shades similar to a lantern, or sleek, flat shades that diffuse light against the wall behind it.
Indoor VS. Outdoor Sconces
There are different types of sconces available for indoor and outdoor use. The primary difference is that outdoor sconces are typically weather-proof or water-resistant, because they may be exposed to harsh conditions.
Indoor wall sconces don’t need to withstand rain or extreme temperatures, so they may be less durable in outdoor conditions. However, they should last just as long when used properly.
What’s the Difference Between a Wall Sconce and a Wall Light?
A wall sconce is a type of wall light, but not all wall lights are sconces. While wall lights are meant to be functional — providing extra illumination for things such as reading or cooking — wall sconces are meant to be decorative, as well. They add form to function with more ornate designs and shading options.
Where To Place Wall Sconces
A wall sconce can go anywhere you’d like a little extra illumination or a little extra decoration. Some ideal places to add a wall sconce might include a dimly lit hallway or staircase. You can also use sconces over a desk or reading chair. Or above a kitchen counter to brighten your baking.
Sconces are also a great way to highlight a favorite piece of wall art. You can also pair sconces with other lighting options, such as a chandelier, for optimal light levels in any room.
What Height Should a Wall Sconce Be Placed?
The appropriate height for a sconce depends on the direction of the light, how the sconce is used, and your own height.
Sconces are shaded to diffuse the light, so you don’t want them at a height where the bare bulb is right in your eyes. For upward-facing sconces, you want the top of the shade to be slightly above your own eye level (or the eye level of the tallest person in your household). Typically, this means you want an upward-facing sconce to be around or above six feet high.
Conversely, a downward lighting sconce should have the bottom of the shade at or just below your eye level, for the same reason. But don’t place them too much lower than that, or they might look a little out of place.
If the sconce is illuminating something specific, such as a workspace or a piece of wall art, you can also place it at whatever height is most comfortable for that purpose. For example, some people place a sconce directly above or below a piece of wall art to draw attention to it.
The Best Wall Sconces for Your Home
Because sconces are so versatile, there are options for every room and every design style. Though the sconce you choose is up to personal taste, some may look more cohesive than others in certain spaces or with some aesthetics. Below are our recommendations for the best wall sconces for any scenario.
Best Wall Sconces for Your Living Room
Because sconces are so versatile, there are options for every room and every design style. Though the sconce you choose is up to personal taste, some may look more cohesive than others in certain spaces or with some aesthetics. Below are our recommendations for the best wall sconces for any scenario.
Best Wall Sconces for Your Bathroom
Bathroom wall sconces are perfect for accenting a mirror and providing some extra light for your morning or evening routine. When looking for the best bathroom sconces, choose ones that are water resistant to prevent damage from the humid environment.
Best Wall Sconces for Staircases and Hallways
Adding a wall sconce is a great way to illuminate a dim staircase. The best wall sconces for staircase use should sit flatter against the wall so they won’t get in the way as you go up and down. If you don’t want to wire them into your wall, you can also use battery-operated sconces on staircases to avoid having cords to trip on.
Similarly to a staircase, the best wall sconces for hallway lighting sit close to the wall with a flatter profile that won’t impede the flow of traffic. These sconces can add a sleek accent that also lights your way.
Best Wall Sconces for Cozy Reading
A wall sconce is the perfect accent for the coziest reading nook. Reading under a sconce can evoke the comfort of a candlelit library — without the fire hazard.
If you’re a late night reader, the best wall sconces for reading in bed have a directional shade you can aim right at your pages without bothering your partner.
Best Wall Sconces for Framing
If you want to frame something such as art or a mirror using sconces, pick ones with clean lines that will illuminate without drawing the eye too much.
Best Wall Sconces for Outdoors
The best outdoor sconces are typically water- or weather-proof, and may be slightly larger than indoor sconces to illuminate a wider area.
Light Up Your Life With the Best Wall Sconces
Wall sconces are a great way to add a little extra light to any space. They are versatile enough that you can find a sconce for almost any need — indoors or outdoors, upward or downward, simple or ornate. Consider adding a wall sconce to your space and see what a difference a little illumination can make.
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