How to Use Wall Sconces

The wall sconce may produce the most sensual lighting of all the fixtures currently available. Most sconces emit soft, indirect light that adds a sense of the dramatic, much like the gaslights you’ve seen in classic films. Fortunately, sconces are far safer than gaslights and the light they give off can range from intimate to inspiring, depending on your choices.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Alone, sconces can appear incomplete, but a pair of sconces creates an inviting atmosphere. You can create a sense of balance by mounting one on each side of any mirror in the house, or in the bedroom above the nightstands to create a stylish sense of décor.

2. You can mount sconces to any wall material, including brick, stone, sheetrock, textured, bare wood or paneling. So use your imagination. Let your personality shine through by selecting a pair of sconces that will add a special glow to what otherwise might be just an ordinary room.

3. Some sconces require higher wattage bulbs than others. Before you shop, consider the amount of light you want for the space the sconce(s) will inhabit, then narrow the selection to the ones that best match your needs.

4. If sconces will not be the only source of light in a room, search for some with hardware that most closely resembles that of your existing fixtures and choose your favorite from those.

5. Mount sconces near a corner of a large room to create an intimate and cozy area, while accenting the room’s primary lighting.

Tips & Warnings

• Spend an afternoon in a well-stocked lighting store before you make your selection. There is a wide variety of sconces to choose from, so take your time. This is not the time to impulse shop.
• Lighting experts recommend mounting sconces is 66 to 72 inches from the floor. However, if your ceilings are high or vaulted, raise the sconces slightly to accent the height of the area.