For years, sconces were only seen beside fireplaces, above dining room buffets or in foyers and powder rooms.
Today, they are popular for home theaters, kitchens and breakfast areas. Sconces can be used to eliminate the need for a free-standing light, or as alternatives to ceiling lights.
“We used a pair of oil-rubbed bronze-finish sconces in a laundry room,” says interior designer Patricia Richards, a partner with Blairhouse Interiors Group in Newtonville, N.Y. “This kind of finish is also perfect for a mud room – for a really clean, simple look.”
Interior and lighting designers use sconces to create layers of light, so when all the lights are on in one room, there is an overall glow, with no dark spots.
You can find sconces to fit any style decor, from traditional to contemporary to elegant and casual. Some are whimsical others are works of art.
Larry Verch owns The Lighting Place in Colonie, N.Y. He says sconces are ideal for any room in the house, except closets. Stairways and halls are practical areas for sconces, especially if no other light sources exist.
“Just be careful that the sconce you are considering for those spaces doesn’t cast or create shadows on the floor, for safety reasons,” Verch says. “Sconces should provide enough light so you can tell the difference between dark-colored clothing, such as a navy blue coat from a black one.”
Sconces can create symmetry, add interest to a wall or enhance a piece of furniture. And since sconces add subtle lighting, they typically use low-wattage bulbs.
“You can get a sconce that takes a 150-watt halogen bulb all the way down to a 15-watt bulb,” says Verch. Sconce bulbs are shaped for different effects: Some are clear and mimic a candle with a flickering filament. Others are frosted for a diffused light. Some have a swirl pattern. Others are round like a globe. Be sure to only use the type of bulb and wattage recommended by the sconce manufacturer. If the sconce is an antique, take it to a lighting specialist or electrician.
Although some sconces can take halogen bulbs, they aren’t practical. Fabric or paper lamp shades shouldn’t be used on halogen bulbs or any bulbs greater than 40 watts, Verch adds.”Halogen bulbs are not very popular for sconces, because the strong beam shows every little imperfection on the wall,” he says.
Generally, sconces hang 66 to 72 inches above the floor. If you want more light than a sconce can deliver, consider pairing the sconce with one or more lamps or buying sconces with reflective back plates.
Depending on what you are looking for, sconces can be found for as low as $15 each up to thousands of dollars.
