We believe home design should be stylish and distinctive. From the classic warmth of a torchiere style to the practical touch of swing arm design, wall sconces elevate your space by layering depth, drama, and ambiance in light. At Lulu and Georgia, our thoughtfully curated collection of sconces is perfect for your home, with designs that beautifully blend form and function.
Not sure what style fits your space best when searching for lighting elements? Don’t worry; we have got you covered. Check out our tips below for ideas and inspiration as you choose the best sconce lights to buy for your space.
A (Quick) Guide to Sconce Light Styles
Sconce lights have a long tradition of serving as both decoration and illumination in the home, dating back to the candle lanterns from which they get their name—esconce in old French. Many of these traditional notes persist even as generations of designers have brought about their own innovations, experiments, and styles.
The most basic way to break down sconce lights is by how many bulbs or lights they have. A single wall sconce can be great if you’re styling a sconce in pairs or multiples. Depending on the design, a single wall sconce can provide uplight, downlight, or reflect back to wash the wall in light. We love a modern take on the torchiere silhouette like this Cornet Sconce by Christiane Lemieux—striking, artful, and timeless.
A double wall sconce such as this Keaton Sconce by Regina Andrew can offer a more prominent lighting feature with a generous pour of light. Other double wall sconce designs might be oriented to provide uplight and downlight or feature bulbs at either end of an elongated arm to be mounted vertically or horizontally.
Yet other sconces might be defined by a feature of their design. Adjustable sconces and plug-in sconces are both dynamic additions to wall lighting that come in a wide variety of styles. We love the timeless touch of this Sello Swing Arm Sconce—a Lulu and Georgia exclusive by DISC Interiors. When shopping sconce lights, you want to fit the practical and decorative character of different designs to your specific space. Let’s take a look room by room at how to create impact with sconces throughout your home.
Room by Room: How To Style Wall Light Fixtures
Whether you’re looking to update a fixture, add a plug-in wall sconce, or take on a new installation —sconces can help define your style and refine the lighting design throughout your home. Sconces should generally be placed at about eye level (5 to 6 feet from the ground) to avoid glare and provide balanced light—but specifics may vary depending on the room.
Bedroom Sconces
Bedroom lighting should offer warmth and subtlety. Sconces and lamps are a great way to create layered lighting for when you want softer, more ambient light. Plug-in wall sconces here can be a great way to bring more light into a room with limited options. If you’re concerned about nightstand surface space, consider replacing a bedside lamp with a bedside sconce. Adjustable sconce designs make brilliant bedside sconces because you can direct the light for reading or turn it away for a more ambient glow.
Dining Room Sconces
In your dining room, sconces can accent features and help imbue ambient light for toned-down occasions. Flanking a buffet or sideboard with a pair of sconce lights highlights the piece while serving as task light if you’re using the surface to serve food or getting out dishes and linens. You can also use sconces to flank the doorway, painting, or set off an accent wall as a focal point. You can also look to other wall light fixtures, such as picture lights, to create depth and drama in the room.
Entryway Sconces
By now, you’re sensing a pattern—sconce lights work great in pairs. We want our entryway lighting to be warm and inviting—a pair of sconces flanking the doorway or a mirror can create a warm pool of ambient light. In a longer entry hall with multiple sconces, they should be spaced evenly at least 6 feet apart for a good spread of light. In any hallway, you want to stagger wall sconces to create visual interest and avoid a “tunnel” feel.
Bathroom Sconces
In the bathroom, you can flank your vanity mirror with sconces to create balanced light so there are no harsh shadows in the reflection. One important thing to remember with bathroom sconces is that they may be exposed to moisture. You want to ensure you’re using damp or wet-rated fixtures designed for the environment—shop all our bathroom sconces, vanity lights, and other damp-rated fixtures in our curated bathroom lighting collection.
What to Look for When Choosing a Wall Sconce
No matter the room, remember you’re buying this piece for your space. When shopping online or in a showroom, it can be easy to lose touch with how a piece might look, feel, and work in your home. Here are some practical tips to ensure your delivery delights.
Think about scale and how the sconce will fit in the room. Even though a sconce doesn’t take up any footprint in the room, it will still affect the visual balance. The product details section is where expert shoppers live—looking at dimensions and considering specifications—can the design be mounted horizontally and vertically? Can it be mounted as an uplight or downlight? Mark out its dimensions on the wall and consider how the light will flow.
You may also want to consider features such as whether a wall light is dimmable or adjustable. As mentioned, this can be crucial in spaces such as bedrooms or dining rooms where we want control over the atmosphere or in a dynamic space—such as a home office that becomes a guest bedroom. When it comes to lighting, details are everything, so always check your specs twice.
However you style it, remember that lighting allows you the flexibility to showcase the nuances of your design aesthetic. Loved ones and visitors can immediately get a sense of who you are by seeing how you have augmented your space with thoughtfully chosen light fixtures.
Lulu and Georgia Sconce Lights
When you shop for lighting at Lulu and Georgia, you’ll find pieces that complement your style while making it feel more elevated. Choose from our wide selection of sconce lights to find the perfect purchase for your project, no matter what you’re looking for. Check out our shop-by-room page for more ideas and inspiration on creating stylish everyday living spaces.
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