More Helpful Information About Wall Sconces

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).

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All rights reserved worldwide. Always consult a professional before installing any new lighting. The content on this site is the authors opinion only and should not be considered professional advice.

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