Wall Sconces Buying Guide
Everything you need to know about these gorgeous, wall-mounted light fixtures.
There are many types of wall sconces. With many designs, shade materials, fixture material, and features, there are plenty of options that will fit in your home.
In this guide:
What is a Wall Sconce?
Choose a Type of Wall Sconce
Pick a Power Source
Determine the Damp/Wet Location Rating
Wall Sconce Height & Placement Tips
What is a Wall Sconce?
A wall sconce is a type of light fixture that is mounted on a wall. It typically consists of a decorative base or holder that attaches to the wall and a shade or cover that diffuses the light. The wall-mounted design saves tabletop and floor space – ideal for small bedrooms, narrow hallways, and supplemental lighting. Wall sconces come in a wide variety of styles and can be used for ambient lighting, task lighting, or accent lighting – making them a versatile addition to your home.
Armed: The bulbs on these lights are mounted on a fixed, bent arm. You can choose to have the light shade turned upwards or downwards. The warm glow of upward-facing armed wall sconces helps make hallways and living areas look larger, while the more focused light of downward-facing armed wall sconces is great for illuminating bathrooms.
Flush Mount: Flush-mount wall sconces lack protruding elements such as arms or ornamentation that extends into the room. This type of wall-mounted light is great at providing broad, even illumination and can be used in any room in the home.
Candle: Give your home a little vintage charm by installing a few candle-style wall sconces. These wall sconces are made to resemble candles and are often mounted on arms. Their bulbs can either be fully exposed or gently shrouded by a shade. These light fixtures give off a cozy glow.
Swing Arm: These wall-mounted lights, built with movable arms, are made to be adjustable and are perfect as reading lights above nightstands or task lights beside bathroom vanities. These sconces' swing arms can pivot side to side, up and down, or both. The arm can also be jointed to allow you to extend the light as you please.
Wallchiere: Wallchieres are wall-mounted lights that resemble torches – the lamps typically sit atop long, vertical poles that can be very simple or very decorative. Like most wall sconce types, wallchieres can be upward- or downward-facing and with or without shades.
Half-Moon: Similar to flush mount wall sconces, half-moon wall sconces rest against the wall and lack protruding elements. They are shaped like upward-facing half moons, with rounded bottoms and flat, open tops. Casting bright yet gentle light, half-moon wall sconces fit well in every room in your home.
Barn Light: Barn light wall sconces resemble downward-facing armed wall sconces in that they have an arm and a downward-facing bulb, however their built-in lamp shades are sturdier, made of metal or glass. These vintage, farmhouse-style wall sconces have large, exposed bulbs that give off strong, golden light.
Spotlight: Like swing-arm wall sconces, spotlight wall sconces are made to be adjustable. These wall-mounted lights resemble stage spotlights or spotlight-style track light heads – their narrow, built-in metal shades emanate a focused beam of light that can be directed by their pivoting heads. Many of these styles mount on an arm, though others can mount directly to the wall or on a wall-mounted track.
Corner: Mounted at the seam where two walls meet, corner wall sconces are the perfect solution for an area that is difficult to light.
2. Pick a Power Source
Hardwired: These sconces wire directly into your home's electrical system for a clean, wire-free appearance. Hardwiring your light fixtures also allows you to connect them to light switches around your home for easy control.
Plug-In: Save yourself the hassle of hardwiring your wall sconces by opting for sconces that plug directly into a wall outlet. These fixtures are easy to install and replace.
Battery-Operated: The easiest to install, battery-powered wall sconces run on batteries. These fixtures tend not to give out as much light as the others, but they can be found in many intricate styles.
3. Determine the Damp/Wet Location Rating
There are three location ratings: damp, dry, and wet. If you want to place your sconces in a bathroom, we recommend a damp-rated sconce. If you want to place them outside, we recommend a wet-rated sconce. If you are looking to place them in a living room, bedroom, entryway, or dining room, a dry-rated sconce is perfect.
Wall Sconce Height & Placement Tips
Generally, wall sconces are placed 66" – 72" high on the wall. This height puts the wall sconces in easy view without putting their bulbs on display. However, depending on the height of your home's walls as well as the height of your family members, you may want to hang them higher. If you have tall ceilings or a tall household, place your wall-mounted lights at a height where they are within reach but their inner workings aren't exposed.
Below are some wall sconce placement ideas if you're wondering where to hang wall sconces:
- Place two sconces on either side of a set of windows.
- Install two sconces on either side of a vanity or entryway mirror, between 60" and 65" off of the floor, or mount one double sconce above a vanity mirror.
- Place two sconces above nightstands on either side of a bed, 30" – 36" above the top of the mattress and no more than 1' away from the bed.
- Space sconces 8' – 10' apart on a hallway wall.
Tip!
Read our guide How to Install a Wall Sconce for step-by-step instructions that’ll make installation easy.
