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Sconces and other lighting fixtures are brightening up many walls these days. They provide versatile illumination and decorative flair.

Wall-mounted fixtures are used to supply ambient light with their beams bouncing off walls and ceilings or emitting a soft glow through translucent covers. They also serve as purposeful task lights when directed at work surfaces or stairs. They have the advantage of using wall space rather than taking up floor or tabletop space like a lamp.

Sconces, descendants of candle-holding brackets, are typically closed at the base and open at the top. Light washes up the wall and hits the ceiling, where it gently illuminates the room. Wall sconces are especially effective at lighting entryways and halls, gracing the walls of formal living and dining rooms, or creating a romantic atmosphere in the bedroom. Designer Dean Rutherford had sconces installed in his bedroom, dining room, and living room. “Sconce lighting is a softer effect,” he says. “It creates a certain mood.” He has dimmer switches on all of his sconces so that he can adjust the amount of light as his mood dictates.

As an object attached to the wall and lit from the inside, a sconce easily becomes an ornament in itself. It may be designed with a stained glass cover or be shaped into an elegant sculpture that catches the eye. Sometimes the purpose of a wall sconce is primarily ornamental, with the light emitted being minimal.

In bathrooms and dressing areas, however, sconces serve a practical purpose. Mounted on either side of the mirror, they eliminate the distorting shadows produced by a single lighting fixture installed above the mirror, and they also soften the harshness of ceiling fixtures alone. Twin sinks require the use of three sconces; one in the middle and one each on the outside of the two mirrors. Lighting designer Nancy McCoy advises that the sconces be mounted at eye level. She says, “The color of the glass covering the sconce also matters. Choose white glass. Colored glass can cast unusual tones on your skin.”

Some sconces are open at the bottom as well as the top, while others are pointed downwards and closed at the top. These sconces are used to provide bright, task-oriented direct light. McCoy used them in hallways and on stairs. She says that many hotels have sconces near the door of each room because: “In a dim hall, a sconce helps cast light on the door knob, letting you find it easily.” She notes that “On stairways, you generally have high ceilings that make hanging light fixtures difficult. Wall-mounted fixtures are a good alternative.”

Bulb Choices for Wall Sconces

Wall-mounted fixtures may use incandescent or fluorescent light sources. You might experiment with different types of bulbs to determine which ones are most effective and will serve your purposes. Fluorescents are more energy efficient and can now achieve a warm glow. However, review the code provisions in new construction and major remodels, as they may mandate the use of at least some fluorescent lighting. Before installing a sconce in a location near water, such as the bathroom, be sure your fixture is approved for this environment. Sconces should also have a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI or GFI).

If you’re putting up with poor lighting due to a lack of space and cannot find lighting fixtures that fit, wall sconces can help.

Inadequate lighting makes life harder. Have you ever left the house with socks that don’t match? If so, that’s a sign that you’re suffering from poor lighting! It’s especially inconvenient when you’re trying to read or do your taxes. If it’s too dark to see what you are doing, it’s time to start thinking about light fixtures! Life can be challenging enough without making it harder than it needs to be. If you’re putting up with poor lighting due to a lack of space and cannot find lighting fixtures that fit, wall sconces can help.

Lighting fixtures are not limited to floor lamps and table lamps. Wall sconces can not only provide you with the light you need, but also add style to your home. Wall sconces can also help when the ceiling light is too bright, making the room harsh and unwelcoming. A wall sconce can make the room look cozy and inviting.

At local stores and online, you can choose from many different kinds of wall sconces to help with problem areas in your home. Insufficient lighting in the kitchen and bathroom, for example, can be dangerous. These two rooms are the most actively used rooms in the home. If it’s hard to read recipes, figure out if a plate is clean, or see whether the meat is really done, you need to install a wall sconce or two, one over the sink and one over the countertop. If you have to strain to see yourself in the bathroom mirror when grooming, you could use a wall sconce on either side of the mirror to provide clear, even light and eliminate shadows.

Your living room, where you spend the most time with your family and friends, should have a variety of lighting fixtures for creating different moods. Consider wall sconces for creating different levels of lighting for different activities and to enhance a warm and welcoming feeling. You can also use wall sconces as accent lighting to highlight artworks and other features. This will add drama to the atmosphere.