Have you ever settled into a room and thought, “Well, the furniture’s in here, I guess it’s done”? Hang on! The best-lit rooms are the ones where the light is so good you don’t even notice it.
If you’ve ever flipped through a remote control or sat in a comfy chair under a glaring flat tube light, you know exactly what I mean. But give me a wall sconce at eye level, and the same couch suddenly feels like home.
There’s a reason that we’re addicted to wall sconce lighting. It creates a glow that warms everything in its range, but it doesn’t take up space on a table or a floor. The one thing to keep in mind, though, is that you want to be careful about where you put it. Let’s explore ways you can put these fixtures to good use. Here’s the why and the how!
Living Room: Where Sconces Earn Their Rep
It’s a common sight: once the sofa’s in a room, the wall looks kind of naked. But add a mirror behind it and a pair of sconces on either side, and suddenly you have a focal point. The same goes for a fireplace and a console table.
There’s something about wall sconce lighting that I love. Unlike table lamps, you don’t need a table or a nearby outlet. For a modern living room, opt for a sleek bowl dome, like the Bel Air.
The brass inlay option in particular adds warm gold notes to the wall. A small detail, yes, but it changes the entire mood.
Bedroom: Where Out of Sight Means Out of Mind
Here’s where a lot of people love wall sconce lighting. Nightstands. And a table lamp takes up valuable space before you’ve even found room for your book or your phone. A wall-mounted light keeps your nightstand clutter-free, and all you have to do is turn a switch on the wall.
Hang sconces 24 to 30 inches above the mattress for the best reading height without blinding your spouse. The downward-facing shade like the Westchester, provides the room with a cozy light while keeping the glare off your eyes. This farmhouse sconce style has that warm feel, but won’t read as staged as a dainty crystal wall lamp.
Kitchens That Have a Shadow Problem by the Sink
Standing in shadows by the kitchen sink? We’ve all been there. If you’ve ever tried to do the dishes by a single ceiling fixture, you know what it feels like when your head blocks the light. The light source usually comes from behind and above, so your work area stays dark.
A quick and practical solution is wall sconce lighting. Install one next to or above the window over the sink. And I get it. Wall areas in kitchens can be tricky. This is where you’d want a smaller fixture. An 8″ dome such as the Hawthorne can sit cleanly around a window frame, or next to a row of cabinets without seeming in the way.
It might be just a small adjustment, but you’ll feel the difference immediately.
Bathrooms: Need a Delicate Touch
The trick to good bathroom lighting is to have the same amount of light shining on both sides of the mirror at eye level. That way, it eliminates the shadows under your eyes and chin.
Can’t do that? No problem. Fix a light right above your mirror and make sure it’s wide enough and has a good bulb. This is where the Lennox vanity light comes in. It has 2 bowl domes that run the full width of the mirror, casting even light across it.
And here’s a helpful tip: The higher the CRI of your light bulbs, the better they will render the colors of your skin and makeup. CRI stands for color rendering index. It’s a score from 0 to 100 that shows how true colors look under a bulb compared with natural light. A low score can make skin look dull or a little off. I look for a CRI of 90 or higher in a bathroom, so skin tones and makeup show up accurately. Also, if you’re using a fixture near the shower or tub, double-check that it has a moisture rating. Seriously, wall sconce lighting can’t be beaten!
Laundry Rooms: They Deserve Better Than a Bare Bulb
Laundry rooms often have limited lighting, with a simple ceiling fixture casting light while you try to spot a stain. A wall light above your folding table or utility sink shines light right where you need it.
Let’s be honest: do you ever think about the color temperature of your light bulbs? Slightly cooler bulbs (3500K- 4000K) are much better at showing fabric colors and stains than warmer ones.
A gooseneck arm with a steel dome like our Gardena can point light exactly where you want it, instead of flooding the walls. Plus, steel handles laundry-room humidity much better, so it won’t ruin your finish.
Artwork Needs Light
Your fine print or painting should have more than ambient room light. An angled sconce above or beside it transforms it into a compelling sight. Be sure to angle it so the glare doesn’t hit the glass or the glossy paint. An angle of about 30° to the wall is optimum.
A down-light fixture with a directional head, such as the 9-inch Venice, can be aimed just as a gallery would situate theirs. Newer LED bulbs emit very little UV or heat, so artwork won’t get cooked under them. The same idea works in a shop, where an angled sconce can light a sign or a display wall.
What I keep Coming Back To
Good wall sconce lighting makes a room feel kind. That’s seriously it. When it’s low and close, it feels warm. When it’s far away and high above, it feels cold.
Sconces do that so well that I now focus on the walls first when a room feels wrong.You don’t even have to do a big remodel to give it a try. Most rooms already have a wall-mounted junction box, or a place where an electrician could install one. The change is subtle, but you’ll notice it every time you walk into the room.
A good room design incorporates a few different types of lighting, and wall sconces are a good addition.I hope you find a place for one.
