As part of a well-designed layered lighting system, wall sconces are an elegant way to illuminate spaces where the ceiling and hanging lights don’t reach. They can also add a decorative accent or elevate any room’s aesthetic.

Picture sconces are ideal for washing your favorite artwork and poster prints with a soft light wash, bringing a gallery look to your home.

Proportion

The perfect wall sconce design should complement the scale and proportion of the space. Fortunately, various options are available to ensure you find the right match. While pendant lamps may get all the attention these days, stylish wall sconces St Petersburg are just as functional and elegant. These wall-mounted workhorses are ideal for accent lighting and help elevate focal points like mirrors, art, or console tables. Sconces can be especially useful in hallways, where they create directionality and highlight architectural features. For example, consider this sconce featuring a wicker-style ceramic shade and a walnut backplate and finial. The unique blend of materials makes this sconce ideal for creating a modern rustic style in the entryway or living room. Alternatively, try this fixture with a full circle backplate and arm, which pairs a contemporary fabric shade with a classic circular shape for a timeless look. This sconce is available in several other silhouettes, including flush mount and armed.

Luxury

Unlike floor lamps that may look cluttered and busy, wall sconces have clean design lines that can help to make your space feel more serene and luxurious. Choose sconces with clear glass shades to add a minimalistic touch, or try mason jar sconces for a farmhouse look. Flush-style sconces are typically small and tight against the wall, preventing them from protruding too much and throwing off your room’s proportions. They’re great for bathrooms and powder rooms because they direct light downwards without causing any glare on the mirror. Some sconces are adjustable and allow you to point them towards a specific spot on the wall, such as a painting or an art piece. This can create a focal point in your room that draws the eye and elevates your decor. 

Functionality

Lighting is one of the most important design elements in a home. It can elevate a room or bring dreary décor to life. While the popular pendant lamp gets a lot of attention, wall sconces can be just as effective and a great way to add a touch of sophistication and style to any space. Look for sconces that offer a variety of shadow shapes and sizes to enhance your interior decor scheme. Modern classic wall sconce features a pleated ceramic half shade that blocks the bulb from view and washes the wall with a soft ambiance. Wall sconces usually look their best when mounted 6-1/2 feet and 8 feet above the floor, so they are out of harm’s way and still easily visible to those sitting in a room. Mounting sconces higher than this can cast an unwanted glare when you turn on the television or read a book.

Style

Choosing fixtures that accentuate the room’s décor is important when illuminating a space with sconces. Achieving this requires blending the right style with the appropriate fixture type and color scheme to create a cohesive aesthetic that elevates the lighting and the design. For example, if you opt for a transitional sconce that reflects both modern and traditional elements, look for models with a contemporary shade or hardware combined with more intricate details like pleating or wood accents. Similarly, if you prefer the bohemian style that includes a combination of eclectic and organic elements, try this plug-in sconce with a wicker-like ceramic shade, walnut backplate, and brass finish to add a subtle yet impactful decorative touch. The shape of a sconce also greatly affects how much light it emits. For example, a sconce with a clear glass shade will cast more general ambient light, while an opaque metal tends to cast more direct light down on a surface (perfect for reading nooks). Also, consider the up-lighting you want. Sconces with a dimmer switch allow you to customize the fixture’s brightness depending on the mood or activity in a given space.