Everything You Need to Know About Wall Sconces

Wall sconces are unique in that they can serve different purposes and cast various levels of light, depending on the room. They're also possibly the oldest type of lighting fixture still being used today. All of the other fixtures inside our houses are mounted either flush with the ceiling, or they sit on a table or the floor. Wall sconces are ideal for small spaces because they provide light without taking up any floor space.

What Is a Wall Sconce?

A wall sconce is a type of lighting fixture that's attached to a wall instead of suspended from a ceiling. Unlike chandeliers, pendants, and recessed lighting, light from wall sconces face upward rather than downward.

Placement

Adding wall sconces to your home can add both light and interest without interfering with movement. They are perfect for breakfast nooks or reading corners, as they can provide more light in these areas. These types of lights are also perfect for a bedroom, taking up minimal space on a nightstand or working well in areas where there isn't room for a bedside table. These lamps can accentuate and provide light for a table in the entrance hall, where we drop our keys and mail, or for a sideboard or serving table.

Illuminating dark corners in any room, wall sconces also create the optical illusion of a larger space. When hung symmetrically on either side of a doorway or window, they help to achieve balance in the room by evenly dispersing light.

In general, a wall sconce doesn't need to provide much light. But in the bathroom, two brighter bulbs on either side of the mirror can give you enough light for grooming while also adding to the room's style.

Installation Tips

To install a wall sconce with its own switch, simply cut an opening in the wall for an old-work switch or fixture box—the same type of box you would use to mount a new flush or pendant fixture. Then, run the circuit wiring to that spot from above the ceiling, below the floor, or from a nearby receptacle box. You'll need to take the circuit wiring for control by a wall switch or dimmer to the box for the switch before taking it to the box where mounting of the sconce.

To avoid anyone accidentally hitting it, a wall sconce works best when hung at an appropriate height. Keep your light approximately 6 to 6 and a half feet off the ground. If you want it lower near your bed or breakfast table, that's no problem. Just make sure it is high enough so that it won't get knocked over easily.

Keep your wall sconces at a mostly vertical level. Not only does it make them more practical, but also allows people to see them as intended. They are meant to light up a room and most importantly be seen by those in the room. As long rule of thumb, any higher than 6-1/2 feet, or 78 inches above the floor and they start to look "off".

Styles

Whether you want an elegant, rustic, subtle, or bold look for your sconces, there are options available to match any decor. Wall sconces have been around for a long time, so you can find ones that fit any style from classic revival through medieval, Victorian or Arts and Crafts to contemporary. Not only are they the oldest type of lighting fixture still in use, but they may be the oldest light fixtures altogether. They provide a beautiful, unique look to any room.

History and Origins

The oldest known form of artificial light is probably the flashlight's predecessor: A torch, or rather a stick that burns brightly. It was taken from the cooking fire and carried into the woods to see what made that noise, or further into the cave so we could see its shape, our tools and bedding, and each other.

Once we were in the cave, though, holding the torch became an inconvenience. So we had to look for something that would both allow us to see and use our hands simultaneously without causing a fire hazard. One way to do that might be to find a place to put it into the wall.

Just doing that—putting the torch into the rock wall—secured the light. It put it in a safe place, and that's one definition of "ensconce." So now we had the light, and we could see what we were doing. We didn't yet have the fixture though.

People likely started making the areas where they would mount torches better as soon as possible. As time goes on, it will become a habit to search for and improve places to put the torches where they would be most effective. Over time, as we left our caves and started creating structures, it became increasingly important to have dedicated places for lighting sources like torches, candles, or oil lamps. 

By installing sconces, we were able to brighten up our space and enjoy their presence today.