Living room sconce lights
23 Best Wall Sconces 2021
23 Best Wall Sconces 2021 | The StrategistEvery 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
From $299
$398 now 25% off
From $299
“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.”
From $299 at Serena & Lily
Buy
with code: ITSHERE
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 ExpertsEvery product is independently selected by (obsessive) editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a commission.
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Switch things up this year.
By Medgina Saint-Elien
Gantri
Installing lighting into your home is one of the best ways to literally brighten up your space. Whether it's a chic bedside lamp with a beautiful lampshade to match or a dazzling dining room chandelier, adding these in will lighten up your space in every way. But if you're looking to bring in extra character to a room, a wall sconce is the way to go. From plug-in wall sconces for rental properties or an option that acts as permanent lighting, the best wall sconces are functional, stylish, and powerful.
That said, we researched the best online lighting stores for wall sconces that will upgrade your place the moment you install them. Some of these wall sconces require hiring a professional electrician (unless you're a DIY maven, of course), but we've also included several choices that you simply plug in.
Get ready to level up your boring walls with drama and flair, thanks to our top picks below!
1
All Modern
Harley 1
$255 AT ALLMODERN
2
Uplantin
Modern Glass Ball Wall Light
$80 AT AMAZON
3
CozyVille Store
Nordic Macaroon Sconces
$52 AT ETSY
4
C Cattleya
5-in W 1-Light Wall Sconce
5
Muka Design Lab
Arintzea Wall Light
$198 AT GANTRI.COM
6
Mitzi
Ari 1 Light Wall Sconce
$126 AT MITZI.
COM
7
Lulu and Georgia
Romelia Indoor / Outdoor Sconce
$598 AT LULU AND GEORGIA
8
Serena & Lily
Santa Barbara Drum Sconce
$298 AT SERENA AND LILY
9
EcdLightShop
The Gilded
$158 AT ETSY
10
Generation Lighting
Champlain Sconce
$565 AT CIRCA LIGHTING
11
Gracie Oaks
Eshaa 1
$78 AT WAYFAIR
12
CB2
Pogo Brass and Cane Wall Sconce
$179 AT CB2
13
Lightology
Up Down Slim Wall Sconce
$375 AT LIGHTOLOGY.
COM
14
Stiffel Gillery
Antique Brass Wall Sconce
$200 AT LAMPSPLUS.COM
15
Anthropologie
Madelyn Faceted Sconce
$148 AT ANTHROPOLOGIE
Medgina Saint-Elien Associate Market Editor Medgina Saint-Elien is House Beautiful's associate shopping editor.
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At what height to hang a wall lamp above the bed, in the hallway, bathroom
- Article
- Video
The main difficulty associated with mounting a wall lamp is that you need to choose the right installation height.
There are no specific requirements here, so the distance from the floor is chosen solely for reasons of ease of use of the lamp, and, of course, the efficiency of its work (in this case, lighting). Next, we will tell you about how high to hang the sconces above the bed in the bedroom, by the mirror in the bathroom, in the kitchen and even on the wall in the living room!
- Bedroom
- Corridor
- Living room
- Bathroom
- Kitchen
- Balcony
Bedroom
Most often, sconces are hung in the bedside area in the bedroom so that you can read a book at night without disturbing the person sleeping next to you. Here, when choosing the optimal mounting height, you need to take into account 2 points: the lighting should be comfortable for reading, and at the same time it was possible to conveniently turn off the lamp. You can “kill two birds with one stone” if you hang a sconce at a distance of 1.2 - 1.6 meters from the floor.
As for the placement of the wall lamp, it is best to mount it on the wall above the bedside table, as shown in the photo below:
In the children's room, the wall lamp can be used to additionally illuminate the child's bed. Here the height should be such that the baby could not reach the light bulb (otherwise it will burn or get hurt). There are no specific standards regarding the distance from the floor, because. beds and playpens come in various heights. It is recommended to hang the lamp above the children's bed at a height of at least half a meter, as shown in the photo:
Corridor
The next most popular location for wall lamps is the corridor. In this room, the sconce can be installed both along the entire path as general lighting, and in one specific area for local illumination of a picture or a mirror (right at the entrance). Since the corridor is a passage room through which new furniture, appliances and other large-sized objects are always carried, care must be taken to ensure that the placement height is not only comfortable, but also safe.
The standard installation option is 2 meters from the floor. If the ceiling is low, you can hang sconces at a height of 1.8 meters of the floor. To illuminate paintings and mirrors, it is better to rely not on the ceiling, but on the visual effect, therefore, in this case, the lamp is most often placed above the illuminated object.
The case of a flight of stairs in a private house can also be included here. If the corridor smoothly passes to the stairs, the height of the product should be 1.5-1.7 meters so that the steps are well lit. In addition to the height, you also need to correctly choose the optimal distance between the wall lamps along the length. In this case, it is best to hang products in increments of 0.6 to 1 meter.
Living room
Living room, or as it is also called - the entrance hall serves to receive guests and relax in the evening. In this room, most often, sconces are placed above the sofa or armchairs for local illumination of the reading place.
In order for the light to be good and not spoil your eyesight, it is recommended to hang the sconce at a height of 1.3 - 1.4 meters from the floor. A very good idea would be to mount products on both sides relative to a sofa or chair.
bathroom
in this case, there will be high humidity and the source of water itself - a faucet above the sink, a bathtub, a shower cabin. In addition to choosing bathroom fixtures seriously (they should be waterproof and made from practical materials), you need to choose a safe height to hang the sconces. To illuminate the mirror in the bathroom, we advise you to hang the lamp above the mirror surface itself, which will provide good lighting for shaving, applying makeup and other care procedures. Please note that the distance to the water from the lamp should be at least 60 cm, and even better 1 meter. If the bathroom is spacious and has a dressing table, you can make local lighting by providing a suspension height above the table of at least half a meter!
Kitchen
One of the kitchen lighting ideas is to install compact wall lights above the kitchen and dining table.
In this case, again, the height of hanging the sconces in the kitchen is not standardized, but high-quality lighting of the working and dining areas must be provided. In addition, the place of installation of the lamp should be convenient and not interfere with the cooking process. Most often in the kitchen, the sconce is hung a meter above the table, while the lamps can be hung symmetrically with respect to the dining table, as shown in the photo below:
Balcony
Well, the last room in the apartment, which we haven't talked about yet, is a balcony or a loggia. If you have arranged a balcony and made a rest room out of it, then the best option for lighting on the balcony would be to use wall sconces above the chair. In this case, we recommend hanging the product at a distance of about half a meter from the floor if the sconce is located on the side wall (as in the photo) and about 1.5 meters from the floor if the lamp is placed on the side of the window block.
That's all I wanted to tell you about this issue. Now you know at what height to hang the sconces above the bed, in the hallway, living room and bathroom! To make the installation process clear to you, we recommend watching the video instruction below.
How to hang a wall lamp on the wall
How to hang a sconce on the wall Sconce in the interior of the reception room has a special meaning. After all, such a lamp is needed not only to illuminate a certain area in a spacious living room, but also to create the most comfortable conditions for the rest of the whole family. There are three types of wall lamps (surface, sconce and pendant). But within the framework of this article, we will talk specifically about sconce lamps. We will tell you how to choose them correctly, how best to hang them in the interior of the living room. Here are examples of styles in which sconces can be made. According to the explanatory dictionary, sconce means a wall candlestick, lamp. Translated from French, the word sconce is interpreted as a hand. Probably not by chance. It differs from other wall lamps in artistic decoration. Quite widely sconces were used as a decorative ornament in the 17th century. And today it has not lost its popularity. Designers often resort to using this light source, as they can be used to create soft lighting in any area of the room. Moreover, sconces will be appropriate in the living room, and in the bedroom, and even in the kitchen. Most often, the family spends evenings in the dim light of additional lamps. As a rule, the main overhead light is turned on during the reception of guests or during a gala event. The soft light of a sconce in the interior has a positive effect on a person. The living room is cozy and you want to relax, but for this you need to try. How to choose a sconce that professionals advise, this will be discussed. Although sconces are suitable for any room, they must not only be chosen correctly, but also hung. The fact is that the incident light can indicate the flaws and defects of the walls, if any. So, how should you fix the sconce so that it emphasizes the beauty of the living room decoration, and not vice versa. Such a wall lamp as a sconce is found in many design compositions and styles. Sconce in the interior of the living room - photo and review
A variety of design sconces will bring comfort, add individuality. Sconce - interior decoration
Sconce is the lamp that makes the room "home". And if the lamps are multi-colored or have an original design, then the room can be filled with mystery and romance. Especially often, with the help of a sconce, they illuminate the recreation area, hanging it over an armchair standing near the tea table. Selection tips
If this is a mirror, then the body of the sconce must match the frame of the mirror. If it is a chest of drawers or a wall, then the color of the case should be the same as the color of the fittings on the furniture. In the event that the sconce illuminates a picture hanging on the living room wall, give preference to a lampshade that scatters light. For example, frosted glass, which will not give glare on the picture itself. 
Such lighting will visually stretch the room in height. With the right direction of light from the sconce, you can visually make the room wider. How to properly hang the wall light
Here are some tips.
Interior style and sconces
But surely each of them will have its own external features. Since the sconce in the interior of the reception room should be organically combined with all the decoration of the room, it is worth considering in more detail which style of which sconce is suitable.
The light from such a lamp contributes to the creation of an unusual atmosphere, but homely. The avant-garde style sconce frame can have the most incredible shape, which makes them attractive and bright interior elements. In addition, such lamps can be equipped with a remote control, which makes it easier to adjust the light. 
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