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23 Best Wall Sconces 2021

23 Best Wall Sconces 2021 | The Strategist

Every product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.

Lauren Ro is interested in baby gear (she’s a new mom) and the ins-and-outs of decorating a home. Prior to the Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed, and before that was Wes Anderson’s assistant.

Lauren Ro is interested in baby gear (she’s a new mom) and the ins-and-outs of decorating a home. Prior to the Strategist, she was a writer at Curbed, and before that was Wes Anderson’s assistant.

Photo: Courtesy of the retailer

While lamps and overhead lights like chandeliers tend to be folks’ first recourse when it comes to brightening up a room, wall sconces can be just as functional — especially in smaller spaces. As Alessandra Wood, a VP of style at online interior-design service Modsy, notes, “Wall sconces don’t take up a footprint on the floor or require an end table to host them.” Incorporating wall sconces somewhere that’s already furnished with other lights can make that space even more functional, according to the experts we spoke to. “This type of fixture can provide more direct lighting closer to something you’re doing, like reading, without needing the entire room to be illuminated,” explains Becky Sturniolo, a luxe designer with Modsy. Like other elements of décor, wall sconces are also an easy (enough) way to give a room a new look without a complete overhaul. “Layered lighting always creates many moods for a space,” says Melissa Wagner, who works in creative and design at online interior-design service Havenly. Brooke McReynolds, another luxe designer with Modsy, agrees, telling us that wall sconces can “change the interior of a space in a dramatically effective way.”

To find the best wall sconces for spaces of all sorts, we asked Wagner, Sturniolo, McReynolds, Wood, and ten other designers about their favorites. Before we started reporting, we set a budget of $500 — and the designers, in fact, told us they try to stick to that price ceiling, too, because most sconces are typically sold individually but look best in pairs or multiples. As for where to put them, the experts say sconces can be most effective when flanking another object, whether that’s a bed, a couch, a dining-room table, an oversize mirror, or a piece of art. One final note: Because most of the sconces on this list are hardwired, they may require an electrician for installation. For those who want to keep things as easy as possible, we’ve noted which options are plug-in and therefore easier to install.

CB2 Astr White Onyx Wall Sconce

$100

$100

Three of the experts we spoke to — Sturniolo and Decorist designers Lina M. Gómez and Fendy Castillo of Nemai Studio — told us about this wall sconce from CB2 that’s made of two overlapping discs of cream onyx and a glass globe light. At right around $100 a sconce (technically a little less), it is one of the most affordable options on this list. Sturniolo, who often turns to CB2 for décorlike sconces, calls the Astr “a gorgeous, more natural, modern option.” Gómez and Castillo add that in addition to being a light, the piece also functions as an artwork, describing it as a “sculptural focal point that adds uniqueness and a wow factor to a space.”

$100 at CB2

Buy

CB2 Mantis Siwel Wall Sconce

$149

$149

For something that swivels, consider this sconce from CB2 that Decorist designer Eda Bejko and interior designer Brianne Bishop recommend.  Bishop calls it “edgy yet so functional,” in part because the plug-in sconce is a cinch to install (all you have to do is mount it on a wall with a nearby socket). To wit, she says it’s a particularly great option for any wall where “you don’t already have electric wiring installed.” Bejko suggests putting it near a bedside table, telling us the piece’s slender neck, glossy brass steel, and warm walnut-finished ash-wood plate give it a “mid-century twist.”

$149 at CB2

Buy

Jonathan Y Rover Adjustable Wall Sconce in Chrome with Metal Shade

$63

$63

This sconce, the most affordable on our list, also has a swing arm. It comes recommended by Decorist designer Vanessa Yufe of VY Designs, who again told us that swiveling sconces like this are great for framing a bed. “Mount a swiveling wall sconce strategically and it can illuminate your nightstand,” she says. But that’s just one place she says it could live in a home. “Depending on how you tilt it, the sconce can be used as task lighting near a desk or bookcase, or to illuminate artwork on a gallery wall.” Summing it all up, Yufe says the chrome-finished metal sconce “can pretty much be placed anywhere” and costs “a fraction of the price of a high-end designer light fixture.”

Possini Euro Elena Warm Brass Wall Sconce

$130

$130

Bejko pointed us to this fabric-shaded sconce with what she calls “a subtle and refined look” thanks to its “warm brass finish and clean lines.” Shown in that brass finish, the fixture, which has a linen shade, also comes in brushed-nickel and matte-black finishes.

$130 at Lamps Plus

Buy

Ballard Designs Rowan Articulating Wall Sconce

$199

$199

This swiveling wall sconce, according to Gómez and Castillo, has a “classic industrial look that can work with many styles due to the simplicity of its design.” With longer joints, it looks a touch more dramatic. As for where to put it, they say above nightstands, near a desk, or “next to your favorite reading corner.” This sconce can either be hardwired or plugged into an existing wall socket and comes in two finishes: antique bronze and brass.

CB2 Deuce Double Wall Sconce

$179

$179

If you want to add two lights for the price of one sconce, consider this double-headed option that Sturniolo told us about. She says the swiveling fixture with conical shades would be another great choice for folks looking for a “more industrial option.” In addition to the blackened-bronze finish shown, it’s available in a more subdued brushed brass.

$179 at CB2

Buy

West Elm Sculptural 3-Light Faceted Wall Sconce

$199

$199

If you’re shopping for a bathroom sconce, Bejko suggests this three-light style that she says is “simple and minimal while providing the perfect amount of lighting to a vanity.” The sconce’s three faceted shades are suspended below metal arms that come in several finishes, including brass, bronze, and chrome.

$199 at West Elm

Buy

Dutton Brown Color Twink Sconce

$119

$119

This super-basic sconce would be a good option for anyone looking to inject a pop of color because it comes in 14 different shades, from orange to Kelly green to ochre. Decorilla designer Devin Shaffer loves how it “unapologetically juts its way into a room,” calling the sconce “simple with an obvious need to be noticed and talked about.”

Shades of Light Bamboo Stick Sconce

$179

$179

For something a bit more whimsical, Jessica Davis, the principal designer at JL Design, suggests this sconce designed to look more like a candlestick made of bamboo. Embellished with details like petals and the ridges you’d find on actual bamboo, it comes in a bunch of colors (nine, to be precise), including lime green, turquoise, coral, and yellow. “This fun sconce is the perfect way to brighten any room with an unexpected pop of color while staying classic and simple,” Davis says. “Try a pair in a bathroom, hallway, or flanking a window — the sconce can be combined with any style.”

Simon Swivel Wall Sconce in Burnished Brass

$210

$210

If you’ve got a bit more money to spend, this swiveling sconce also received three recommendations — from Bejko, Gómez, and Castillo. All of the experts praised its versatility, with Gómez and Castillo telling us the modern fixture would work well at directing light onto a nightstand or home-office desk and Bejko calling it a worthy option “to add to any reading nook.” Made of steel, it has a bit of a heftier feel and a vintage silhouette thanks to its metal shade and sleek lines.

Visual Comfort Bryant Sconce

$209

$209

Interior designer Rozit Arditi calls this her “favorite sconce of all time.” She most recently used it for a living-room project in Astoria, telling us the light will complement various décor styles because of its “simplicity and flexibility.” The sconce comes with a tapered paper shade and is available in several finishes, including antique brass, bronze, and polished nickel. Small details like its notched stem and layered wall plate made of concentric circles make it more unique.

Prandina Novia Wall Sconce with USB

From $236

From $236

This sconce with a faceted dome shade comes recommended by Shaffer and marries old-fashioned style with present-day technology. Its antique-y vibe is in part thanks to the visible red-cloth cord: “It’s great to see a light fixture that shows off its mechanics,” as he puts it. The sconce’s tech-y twist comes from a USB port installed in its base. (If you like the look of the light and don’t need that port, you can get the sconce without it for $199). Shown in green, it’s also available in a matte-white finish.

Serena & Lily Flynn Single Wall Sconce

$262

$348 now 25% off

$262

“The Flynn is one of my favorite wall sconces around,” says Wood. “The brass and black hardware has a vintage feel, and you can choose a white or wicker shade to match the style of your space.” The sconce has a swing arm, making it “perfect for reading in bed,” she adds. It’s also a little easier to install because it doesn’t need to be hardwired. As Wood puts it, great “for anyone who wants to add sconces without calling an electrician.”

$262 at Serena & Lily

Buy

with code: GRATITUDE

Anthropologie Vienna Sconce

$228

$228

To those looking for a “touch of femininity,” Wagner suggests this “simple and elegant” sconce with a lustered, cut-glass shade that she says can go in a variety of spaces. The shade, she adds, “ups the ante” of the sconce’s otherwise classic silhouette, bringing a touch of drama whether it goes “above a vanity, on either side of artwork, over a buffet in a dining space, in an entryway, or even in a quiet reading corner.”

In Common With Up Down Wall Sconce

$375

$375

This maximalist sconce that Arditi and Bishop both told us about has a lot going for it: The fixture is double-headed and multicolored — and you can even choose the color combination that works best for your space. (The shade colors you can choose from include peach, oxide red, bone, black, and reed green — and the sconce’s backplate can come in any of those hues, too.) Bishop “loves all of the color combinations you can select,” telling us the fixture “hits the mark of being on trend.” If you’re more concerned about cost than colors, we noticed that if you choose a black backplate, a reed-green upper light, and a bone lower light, you can get the sconce on sale for $234.

$375 at Lightology

Buy

Pottery Barn Pluma Wall Sconce

$330

$330

For something with a far more traditional look, Havenly designer Vivian Torres recommends this barrel-shaded sconce with a contrasting black-and-brass finish. While elements like its “timeless shade and classic finishes” lean a bit formal, she says the sconce’s “flared silhouette gives it a distinctly updated aesthetic.” A pair of these sconces, according to Torres, would look terrific “flanking a fireplace or above the nightstands in a bedroom.” But she adds that the fixture is “versatile and sophisticated enough to be used anywhere.”

Neri&Hu NH Wall Sconce

$360

$360

While this sconce looks rather complicated — its blown-glass globe hangs from a brushed brass ring that is suspended from a black metal base — it is actually among the simpler ones when it comes to installation because it plugs in. Arditi told us that after using it for a design project in Greenpoint, the sconce has become a “recent favorite” because it “can be used to give any room a casual-yet-modern look.”

$360 at Lumens

Buy

Dutton Brown Color Cap Double Sconce 8”

$349

$349

Interior designer Cara Woodhouse told us that Dutton Brown, which makes a couple sconces we heard about, is a go-to source for her because it sells “super-fun lighting that you can customize in different finishes and colors.” Like the brand’s other sconce on this list, this double-headed one comes in many hues: You can choose from 13 for the shade at the base of the bulbs (which is shown in Kelly green here) and from three for the base (which is shown in brass). “They are so fun,” declares Woodhouse, who told us one place she’s used this sconce is a kids’ bathroom.

Visual Comfort Frame Makers 30” Picture Light

$399

$399

Yufe says that anyone looking for something that functions like a sconce but is different from the average style should consider using a picture light, a fixture she uses a lot in her interior-design work. “Picture lights are not just for museums and galleries,” she explains. “They provide an added element of sophistication to any wall, bringing some drama to a room by illuminating your favorite art.” Yufe told us she recently used this picture light finished in hand-rubbed antique brass (that comes in other finishes) to brighten the gallery wall in a client’s home office. In terms of getting the size right, she has a couple of tips: “For portrait pictures, choose a picture light that is about half the width of the picture. For landscape pictures, choose a picture light that is between a third and a half of the picture width.” This model shown is 30 inches across, but you can get it in other lengths as well.

Human Home Novel Sconce Hardwired

$380

$380

With a wood veneer shade that’s bent like a scroll, Woodhouse says this sconce would give a room a more natural, organic touch. “They can look so fun in a bar room, powder room, living room — really anywhere,” she says. “I love these sconces.”

$380 at Human Home

Buy

Visual Comfort Lakmos Small Sconce

$459

$459

Bishop calls this sconce “sculptural, raw, and soft,” telling us its curving, Old World–inspired silhouette would “make a statement without stealing the scene” when placed in “an entryway on either side of a mirror or above a fireplace framing art. ” While she’s a big fan of the white-plaster finish shown, you can also get the sconce finished in a gilded gold and burnished silver if you want a more luxe look.

Currey & Company Metro Wall Sconce

$493

$493

This, one of the most expensive sconces on our list, comes recommended by McReynolds as a fixture with no shortage of drama. Its “interlocking wrought-iron rectangles, in a gold-leaf finish, bring modernism to any space,” she says, adding that the sconce is “a contemporary twist on the Paris International style.” While she says it could go most any place, McReynolds notes it seems particularly suited for a bedroom, where she says it would “add a touch of elegance to the room’s ambience.”

$493 at Lumens

Buy

Anthropologie Lightbearer Sconce

$498

$498

The most expensive sconce on our list, this sculptural style has been a favorite of Davis’s “for years.” After lusting over it for some time, she told us she was finally able to incorporate it into one of her design projects — her own powder room. “It brings me joy every time I see it,” Davis says. “This sconce gives unique character to any space that is lacking a wow factor.” Shaped like a hand, the fixture extends from an ornate backplate and appears to offer the corded light as a gift. The sconce is made of hand-finished brass and steel and available in brass as well as the black finish shown.

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The Best Wall Sconces (Under $500), According to Experts

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WALL LAMP LIGHTING: HARDWIRED & PLUG IN LAMPS

Whether you’re adding lighting fixtures above an office desk, over a bed, or simply along the walls of your home, wall lamps are a great solution! Our curated selection includes swing arm lamps, which are excellent adjustable task lights for reading and hobby workspaces. Art and picture light fixtures provide illumination to paintings, photos, and other wall decor. Stylish designer wall sconce and buffet lamp shades make a chic addition that can help you incorporate layers of color and texture into your distinguished lighting style.

WALL SCONCES VS. LAMPS

The term “wall lamp” typically applies to an indoor wall light with an arm that extends away from the wall and a shade that diffuses the light from the bulb. In contrast, wall sconces typically consist of a bulb and backplate with a decorative covering over the bulb that is not a full shade. The arm on a wall lamp may be short, making it appear similar to a sconce, or it may be a longer swing-arm style that sits some distance from the wall. The shade on a wall lamp is similar to a typical lamp shade in appearance and can give a space like a home office a more studious air.

Unlike some other categories of lights, the differences between types of wall lights is subtle. The category encompasses not only lamps, but outdoor and indoor wall sconces and vanity light styles such as bath bars. We recommend exploring all of our wall lights as you browse to make sure you find the style that best fits your needs!

HARDWIRED WALL LAMPS VS. PLUG IN DESIGNS

Once you have found a fixture you love, it’s time to think about installation. Mounting a wall lamp can be as simple as affixing a plug-in fixture to your wall via a wall bracket near an outlet, or can be a bit more complicated if you want to hardwire a fixture directly to the electrical source. We recommend consulting a licensed electrician before you mount any fixture to ensure a safe and smooth installation.

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Lighting in the living room: rules, photos, designer's advice

Competent lighting scenarios are necessary for the interior to be functional and beautiful. We figure out together with the designer how to properly organize the lighting in the living room

Photo: Pexels

Expert advice on lighting living rooms with different features.

Material checked and commented by Tatyana Bobyleva, interior designer

www.adv.rbc.ru

What should be the lighting in the living room

The living room is a gathering place for the whole family and guests. Unlike a bedroom, where lighting can be calm and spotty, a large room should have enough light sources for any time of day. In the living room you can relax, chat, play sports, receive guests, play board games or spend evenings reading books.

When planning the design of this room, make sure that there are enough outlets. First of all, choose a large chandelier that fits the area of ​​​​the room, and then single-lamp pendant lights on the walls. If the ceiling height allows, you can choose a chandelier on chains or a long stand. In addition to the main light source, additional lamps are useful.

Lighting in the kitchen-living room

In the case when the functionality of two rooms is combined in one room, it makes sense to add light zoning of the space. For this, local lighting is suitable. Instead of large ceiling chandeliers, opt for floor lamps, table lamps, and LED lighting on the walls.

Photo: Pexels

Think over possible scenarios for pastime: for family holidays with a large number of guests, general bright lighting is needed, for a friendly party, the opportunity to leave the light at the table and connect color music. The ideal solution would be automatic light control with the ability to adjust each individual zone.

Photo: Pexels

If you are planning a design for a country house that has a fireplace, you can limit yourself to table lamps or choose wall sconces, placing them on both sides.

Photo: Pexels

Lighting in the bedroom-living room

In the bedroom-living room you need to combine the possibilities of relaxing and active wakefulness. In the sleeping area, background diffused light is needed, but it is often not enough for work or reading. In this case, you can supplement the lighting with wall sconces.

Photo: Pexels

In the area where the TV is located, connect soft subdued lighting - there is no need for bright lamps. Sconces and floor lamps with warm light will not create glare on the screen, which is also true if you work at a computer.

Photo: Pexels

You can mount the LED strip behind the TV panel. Do not forget about bright lamps in the guest area. In addition to the main chandeliers and floor lamps, unblinking garlands are suitable, which create a cozy atmosphere and are relevant at any time of the year, not only on New Year's Eve.

Lighting in the living room with stretch ceilings

Stretch ceilings are exposed to high temperatures, and this feature must be taken into account. Suitable fixtures should be no more than 40-60 watts. Consult with a specialist, consider the type of construction of your ceiling - for example, vinyl can withstand a lower heating load compared to polyester. If you plan to light the living room with halogen lamps, the power of each of them should not exceed 20-35 watts.

Photo: Pexels

In addition, there are separate requirements for the location of the chandelier: the lamps of the central lighting fixture must be at least 15 cm away from the tensile structure. This rule applies to situations where fairly powerful light sources (70 W or more) are used. ). Designers prefer LED lamps; they do not emit much heat and are safe for stretch ceilings.

Living room lighting with low ceilings

Good lighting allows you to visually enlarge the space. So, LED lighting is often used around the perimeter of the ceiling, thanks to which it visually deepens. Light directed upwards also "pulls" the walls, so the lamps can illuminate not only interior items, but also the ceiling.

Photo: Pinterest

Choose appliances with warm light - cool light is more suitable for commercial premises and sales areas. In low rooms, small chandeliers look good, the light of which is directed upwards.

Adhere to the rule: if the ceiling lamp is located in a passageway (not above the table), then it should not be lower than 2.2 m from the floor.

Lighting in a small living room

It is important not to overload a small room with furniture. Therefore, focus on wall sconces, not floor sconces, add spots to illuminate shelves on racks. For variations in case of rearrangement, choose swivel lights with the ability to adjust the brightness level.

Photo: Pexels

In a small living room you need a chandelier mounted as close to the ceiling as possible. Skip the stylish tiered options and models with pendants. An original solution can be a backlit panel with a waterfall, especially if there is a need to zone a room by fencing off part of it.

Style and Lighting

Don't forget that chandeliers, wall lamps and floor lamps must match the overall style of the interior.

Photo: Pexels

Modern dark geometric patterns are not suitable for Provence-style living rooms, and voluminous sconces will stand out from the aesthetics of a Scandinavian room. In the latter, it is better to give preference to minimalist models, including those made from natural materials in neutral shades.

Photo: Pexels

Forged details, floral ornaments and symmetry look good in a classic interior, functional elements in hi-tech, and metal floor lamps, spider chandeliers and long chains are suitable for a loft.

Expert comment

Tatyana Bobyleva, interior designer:

— I agree that we need to start with planning lighting scenarios. The living room is where the family spends most of their time. The range of functions is very large, from cooking and eating, if the living room is combined with a kitchen (dining room), ending with watching a movie or working place.

Recently, the trend in the field of lighting is visually a minimum of fixtures. If recessed spotlights are installed, then they are very small in size, as invisible as possible and located, rather, closer to the walls, to create a softer and more comfortable atmosphere. If, nevertheless, a point light directed at a person is supposed, then there is such an option in the form of a built-in diffuser grille, thanks to which the eyes will be comfortable.

Authorization

MO, Odintsovo