Sconce Lighting Adds Elegance to Any Interior Design Style

With a discerning eye, sconce lighting can make a room feel polished and refined. It also adds functionality without the need to rewire a wall or splurge on a new fixture.

However, understanding the different types of sconces can be confusing for homeowners. Here’s a guide to help you find the best one for your home.

Basic Sconces

The name “sconce” suggests an ornamental bracket fixed to the wall that holds a candle, but today you can find electric sconces of all appearances that add lighting and ambiance to interior spaces. These wall lights serve as visual frames around fireplaces, mirrors and art or become focal points that define a space in a stand-alone style.

This basic sconce fits the traditional definition of a sconce, featuring a cone-shaped fabric shade and a walnut backplate and finial. Havenly lead designer Toussaint Derby loves this simple fixture because of its versatility, recommending it for use with flameless candles or a simple electric bulb to create ambient romantic lighting.

This sconce has the look of a torchiere floor lamp but stands free from the wall, making it perfect for flanking a living room mirror or oversized artwork. The arm is accented with a small ring that echoes the shape of the shade and backplate to create a distinctive design. Many sconces come in a variety of finishes, which makes it easy to find a match for your interior color scheme.

Up-Light Sconces

Sconces with up-lighting add drama and a directional touch to the space. These fixtures cast light upwards to highlight features like wall art or architectural elements on the walls. They also illuminate stairways and walkways, and led lights many are wet-rated for outdoor use on porches, mudrooms or garages. They make a great addition to screened-in patios and other exterior spaces too, especially when they’re on a dimmer switch.

You’ll find uplight sconces in designs that work well with any interior design theme, from classic to modern and everything in between. Look for styles featuring metal shades that highlight the vintage-inspired bulbs within. You can also discover double sconces with two shaded lights at different heights, ideal for a bathroom vanity.

Many of the up-light sconces we carry have their own switch built in, which eliminates the need to mount an additional wall switch or dimmer. You can also find models that you can pair with a dimmer switch, allowing you to create the perfect mood for your room. You can even choose sconces with a dimmer feature that lets you control the fixture manually by turning the dimmer knob to the left or right.

Triple Sconces

The Pottery Barn collection of triple sconce lighting offers a variety of silhouettes that suit many interior design styles. While the fixtures are commonly situated above vanities in stylish bathroom settings, they can also be installed on either side of a bed or as an accent to a piece of wall art.

These sconces typically have three shades, though some may feature a single shade and multiple options for finish or cord color. Their construction and silhouette make them a versatile choice for any room of the house, but it is important to assess your needs to find the best fixture for you.

When using sconces in a series, it is a good idea to leave equidistant spaces between each fixture for a balanced effect. This is especially true when installing upward-facing sconces, as this type of light will highlight the beauty of a false ceiling or designer ceiling. For example, the York sconce pairs a minimal solid wood canopy with hand-blown glass diffusers, resulting in a stylish fixture that can be installed facing up or down.

Picture Lights

Picture lights are specifically designed to highlight and enhance artwork, photographs, and other wall hangings. They’re also a great way to elevate family photos without damaging them over time with direct light.

Picture lighting is available in a wide variety of designs and finishes to complement the overall aesthetic of your room. Consider the color tones and textures of the existing decor, artwork frames, and any other elements when choosing a picture light.

When installing a picture light, carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions to secure the fixture to the wall or to a mounting plate that comes with most models. Once the fixture is securely installed, test it to make sure it illuminates your artwork properly and avoids creating unwanted glare or shadows.

When it comes to determining the best size picture light for your art, guidelines suggest choosing a light that is roughly half the width of the frame you’re illuminating. However, rules are meant to be broken, so don’t be afraid to experiment! Many models are also available as a frame mount option that attaches directly to the frame.

Lantern Sconces

Lantern wall sconces have a timeless look that adds to the style of any home. They’re often used to create a warm ambiance wall sconce lighting for a romantic evening and can be combined with rustic furniture, distressed wood or antiques.

This lantern sconce has a burnished dark brown finish and glass accents that give it a geometric design. It hangs by a loop at the top and has an overall look that’s rich in character.

Candle lantern sconces are an ideal addition to gated entrances and porticos, since they can fit on mortared rock gate posts and act as a bright beacon at night. They’re also popular for illuminating outdoor seating areas after sunset. However, they’re not as practical for everyday use, since the candles need to be refuelled. Photovoltaic solar lanterns are a great alternative; they’re powered by the sun during the day and automatically turn on at dusk.

Sconce lighting is a simple and effective way to elevate the look of bedrooms, living rooms, bathrooms and entryways. It’s also a good way to highlight a fireplace, painting or piece of artwork. For the best results, it’s a good idea to have an experienced professional install your new sconce lighting.