Wall sconces - beautiful and functional lighting in your home
We are all trying to create a cozy and comfortable atmosphere in our homes - we select a color palette, choose a finish and furniture that meets all our requirements, and we decorate the interior with love. And the lighting of our home is not the last in the list of necessary measures to create a convenient, practical and outwardly attractive housing space.
Among the possible options for organizing lighting in the rooms of apartments or households, a special place is occupied by the segment of wall lamps or sconces. Having come a long way from a simple torch that a primitive man stuck between the stones of his cave, to forged metal, glass, copper and bronze, gilded products, wall lamps of our time can easily be called art objects, so their design is original and original.
Wall sconces got their name from the French word, which means "hand". In fact, it is logical - just one movement of the hand and the lamp located at the head of the bed or near the chair is turned on.
Modern manufacturers of wall sconces provide buyers with a wide range of models made of various materials using unique design solutions and unusual decor. Finding an option that suits you in style, method of execution, technical specifications and cost is not difficult.
Depending on what exactly you will highlight using a wall sconce, you can start choosing one or another model of a lighting device. After all, wall sconces play not only a functional, but also a decorative role - with their help it is possible to zone the space, highlight especially significant interior objects (a picture, a mirror or collectibles on an open shelf). Lamps that are mounted to the wall near the head of the bed serve for evening lighting of the bedroom space. Wall sconces placed above the chair can create a comfortable reading area. Lighting devices near the bathroom mirror or above the dressing table create a place for applying makeup and image selection.
Before you go to the store for the purchase of wall lighting, you need to clearly know the answers to the following questions:
- for which room do you choose a sconce;
- in what style the room has already been completed or repair is planned;
- whether the wall lamp will be the only device or whether there is a chandelier, built-in lamps or other types of lighting (it will depend not only on the power of the wall lamp, but also on its design, model);
- for what purpose the lamp will be installed on the wall - lighting of the zone, illumination of the reading place or decorative installation;
- the humidity level in the room and temperature differences (typical for fixtures that will illuminate bathrooms or kitchens), the choice of material for the manufacture of the lamp as a whole and its parts will depend on these parameters.
Types of Wall Lights
There are a great many options for wall sconces, but there is a common feature that unites all the models presented in a wide range on sale - a method of fastening. From the point of view of configuration and purpose, all wall lamps can conditionally be divided into the following categories:
1.One of the simplest and most traditional forms of luminaires is a ceiling lightly pressed against the wall, which is attached to a small tripod or bracket (there are models with a fixture built into the ceiling). Such models of luminaires look discreet, but at the same time very practical - they are easy to clean and outwardly approach many stylistic directions. The shape of the ceiling can be either round or semicircular, and rectangular, oval. Depending on the shape of the lampshade, material and color palette, various models of wall lights are created that can be used both for lighting public premises and living rooms.
2. Wall lights with lampshade, which is attached to the bracket. Such lighting devices not only perfectly perform the function of lighting (basically it is soft scattering light), but also perfectly decorate the space. Such fixtures can be appropriate in a variety of interiors - from classic to country, from modern to a minimalist design direction.
Sometimes a lamp with a lampshade is made in the form of a pair of lamps having a common base. With the help of two such devices located symmetrically on the side of the mirror, picture or mantelpiece, you can create not only a sufficiently high level of illumination, but also an interesting decorative composition.
3. Wall lights with pendant light. The name speaks for itself and designates design features. Sometimes the plafond is in the shape of a bowl or even a light bulb without design.
Sometimes such models of fixtures are made in the form of a group of shades located on one common tripod. This design looks original, not to mention the fact that three or four lamps can create a sufficiently high level of illumination and well illuminate the mirror area, for example.
4. Fixtures directional light can also be made in the wall modification. The main feature of such models is that they can be guided by regulating the flow of lighting. Such wall-mounted lighting fixtures are ideal for creating areas for reading or applying makeup.
Most often, such lamps are made in hi-tech style or in a manner close to this style. But they can be appropriate not only in a modern interior.
A modification of directional light fixtures can be considered devices that are a bracket attached to a wall on which a tripod with a ceiling or lampshade can turn.
Where and how to place wall lights?
Where will wall-mounted lighting fixtures be appropriate, in which rooms are they simply not replaceable, and in which it is better not to use sconces for lighting? Designers from around the world can answer us in chorus that wall lights can be hung in any room of your home, it is only important to choose the right model that fits organically into the existing or created interior, meets the technical parameters you need and does not ruin the family budget.
Sconce for bedroom and nursery
For a bedroom, sconces with soft diffuse lighting are most often used. This is ideal for lighting a room for sleeping, to calm down, to calm emotions and thoughts, to tune in to rest.
If you like to read before bedtime, it is recommended to choose models with the ability to adjust power. So you can add brightness to your light while reading and reduce the flow of light when preparing for bed.
Compared to table lamps or lamps, wall lamps have one compelling advantage - they do not take up space on your bedside table or cabinet. But this surface is often quite loaded (books, a telephone, a glass of water or even a houseplant).
Wall lights in the interior of the living room and study
In the living room, wall sconces are often used as accents of the space above the fireplace. If there is an interesting decor on your mantelpiece or a beautiful picture hangs above the mantelpiece, then it is simply impossible not to illuminate this area. A pair of symmetrically located wall lights will cope with this task perfectly.
A pair of sconces located on both sides of the sofa will not only provide illumination to the household members and their guests sitting on it, but also zone the space. Obviously, where there is a soft sofa and lighting - there is a sitting area, reading, watching TV or just talking.
Sometimes wall lamps have a more decorative function, and if this happens, then almost always in living rooms, boudoirs.
Wall luminaires located in pairs add symmetry to any room. If they are located above symmetrically placed objects or on both sides of a piece of furniture or an entire zone, then the result is a finished clear image, which, of course, is able to decorate the room.
Bathroom and wall lighting
It is in the bathroom that you can find wall lights in almost every house or apartment. In almost 100% of cases, wall sconces are located near the mirror, highlighting its surface and, accordingly, our reflection in it.
When choosing wall lights for the bathroom, it is better to give preference to devices with simple and maximally closed shades, in order to minimize the ingress of moisture into the shade. And, of course, you should not even consider models of sconces with lampshades made of fabric and paper.
To highlight the mirror, it is not recommended to use lamps with painted lampshades, equipped with decorative elements that will cast shadows on the mirror and thereby distort the reflection.
Lamps made in the Rococo or Baroque style, as a rule, have many decorative elements made of glass or transparent plastic. Such lighting fixtures can decorate the room in a classic style, bringing a touch of luxury and glamor to its interior.
Paired wall lights are often sold complete with a central chandelier. By purchasing such an ensemble, you can not only provide your room with a multi-level lighting system, but also save yourself from having to choose a ceiling fixture that is ideal for wall sconces.
If the design of the wall sconces and the frames for the mirror near which they are located match each other or even repeat some of the decor elements of each other, the result is always a harmonious, finished image of the space above the sink in the bathroom. But this zone is important not only as a segment for water procedures, but also as part of the decor of the room.
Open fixtures without shades and lampshades are often performed in the form of imitations of candles, paying tribute to those times. When real wax candles were placed on special wall supports. Now, such models of lighting devices are increasingly used to create an interior in a classic style or Baroque style. Graceful and subtle designs of wall sconces in the form of candles can not only decorate the classic interior, but also perfectly illuminate it.
Fixtures that will be located in the bathroom are often made with chrome parts and elements. As a result, using combinatorics with plumbing accessories, a harmonious image of the interior of the room for water procedures is created.
Wall sconces of unusual design can transform the room of the bathroom. For example, wall-mounted lighting fixtures imitating kerosene lamps fit very harmoniously into the interior in a country style, introducing into it not only an element of rural life, but also a retro zest.
Hallways, corridors and other utility rooms
In passers-by and corridors, wall sconces are often used as the main and only source of lighting. In such rooms devices with transparent shades and bright lamps will be appropriate. If you direct the flow of light to the ceiling, you can visually increase the height of the room, if the light streams down, a more intimate, romantic and comfortable atmosphere will be created.