What Is a Sconce? How To Use Them to Illuminate Your Home

From the hallway to your bedroom wall, sconce lights can be a great option for many spaces in your home. They can serve as excellent accent pieces to really set the mood, while still serving the functional purpose of illuminating bathrooms, entryways, living rooms, dens, and more. The suspense is mounting! Read on to learn more about what wall sconces are and how they may fit with your home’s personal style. 

What Is a Wall Sconce Light? 

A sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture. You might also see it called a wall sconce or a sconce light. They’re usually relatively small in size and come in a range of different types and styles. 

Because sconces are mounted to the wall, they offer a key advantage over other lighting types. Many other types of lighting in your home will take on three main forms. You have ceiling-mounted fixtures like chandeliers and recessed lighting, floor lamps that typically plug into a wall outlet, and accent lighting that you place atop furniture like desk lamps. By contrast, wall sconces take up no floor space and are easier to access than ceiling-mounted lighting. 

In learning more about what a sconce is, you may also see the term “wall light.” The technical difference is that wall lights are covered, often by glass, whereas wall sconces are not. In practice, many people use these two terms interchangeably. Wall sconces direct their light upward to the ceiling rather than downward like pendants and other ceiling light fixtures.

Types of Sconces for Any Decor Style

Just as with most other lighting, you can choose from many types of sconces, too. Some styles may be more traditional or historically inspired. They may be made of brass and made to look like wall-mounted candelabras. Other types of sconces may be more modern, featuring flush mounts and geometric shapes. Sconces may be understated or bold, simple or complex in their design.

Available Sconce Light Features

When shopping for different wall sconces with local light fixture companies, you may be drawn to certain features. Some features are more functional and purposeful, whereas others may be more of an aesthetic choice.

• Damp-rated sconces: appropriate for spaces where there may be moisture in the air, like in bathrooms and basements 

• Wet-rated sconces: work in areas where the wall sconces come in direct contact with water, like porch lights and by the garage 

• Dimmable sconces: allow you to adjust the level of brightness, usually with a dial or lever. Certain smart bulbs also offer this function 

• Adjustable sconces: can be moved and repositioned, like with an adjustable swing arm

• Charging sconces: may have built-in power outlets or USB ports for charging or powering your electronic devices 

• Remote-control sconces: come with a remote or app remote option for turning the lights on and off, dimming the lights, or even changing the color of the lights 

Power Sources for Wall Sconces

Part of what determines how much it costs to install sconces is how you plan on powering them. They each require a different level of technical skill and knowledge.

Hardwired

You can wire a sconce directly into your home’s electrical system. Hardwiring a sconce is similar to what it might take to install a new power outlet or ceiling light. When you hardwire a sconce, you may be able to control it with a light switch on the wall or with a switch on the sconce itself. 

A hardwired sconce is the most aesthetically pleasing as there are no visible wires. It is also the most complex. Call an electrician near you to get a price quote. This way, you can be confident everything is safely installed and up to code.

Power Outlet

If you plan on installing a wall sconce next to an existing electrical outlet, this may be an easy option for powering your sconce. Not all sconces come with power cords, so you will need to make sure the one you choose has one. Since you are not hardwiring, you only need to mount the sconce on the wall and then plug the cord into a nearby power outlet. 

Internal Battery

By far one of the easiest ways to install wall sconces without wiring is to choose battery-operated sconces. Like sconces that use a power outlet, battery-powered sconces simply need to be mounted to the wall with no complex electrical setup needed. This also means you may not need professional installation.

The battery compartment may be in the back of the sconce, on the side that mounts to the wall. This allows for a more aesthetically pleasing installation. It also means there are no visible cords or wires. Some battery-powered sconces may not even need you to drill any holes in the wall, mounting with double-sided tape instead. 

Bright Placement Ideas for Sconce Lights

Sconce lights are nothing if not versatile. With the right style, you can install a wall sconce in nearly any space in (or out of) your home. Some popular locations include:

• In an entryway or mudroom, above a bench or set of coat hooks

• Down a hallway or corridor

• Along a set of stairs

• Over a breakfast nook or reading corner

• In the bedroom, on either side of the bed over a nightstand

• In the living room, over a console table or flanking a fireplace

• Along the walls of a dining room to complement a chandelier

• In the bathroom, above or next to the vanity mirror

• Outside, on either side of the front door

• Outside, near the entrance to the garage or shed

• On the front or back porch, balcony, or veranda 

In terms of placement or mounting height, most wall sconces are best suited around six feet above the floor, if not slightly higher. Aim for about 20 inches from the ceiling for upward-facing sconces so the light can effectively fill the space. 

Adapt bathroom sconces to the user’s height. Sconce lights next to a bed should be a bit lower at about eye level when you sit on your bed. The same is true with breakfast nooks or reading corners. Ultimately, sconce placement is a matter of both form and function.