Wall sconces have a subtle yet powerful effect. They create a finished look, free up surface area, and add a soft layer. Choosing the right sconce and knowing where to put it is essential. 

Maison Rose Interiors offers many excellent wall sconce options that suit the majority of needs and styles. In this guide, you will get to know which options are great for your home decor and lighting.


Key Takeaways

  • Start with the job: task, ambient, accent, or outdoor. Pick the form to match.

  • For most homes, 2700K to 3000K and CRI ≥90 give flattering, reliable light. 

  • Use damp or wet ratings correctly; respect tub/shower clearance rules. 

  • Place sconces at eye level by mirrors; space hallway fixtures 8 to 10 feet apart. 

  • From clean glass like Bacia to sculptural accents like Brielle to outdoor workhorses (Amrie, Atwater), Shoppe Maison Rose has focused options that cover most rooms. 

How to Choose the Right Wall Sconce 

  • Purpose: First, consider the wall sconce’s intended use. Is it for outdoor entry lighting, ambient glow in a hallway, task lighting at a mirror, or a reading area? Select the form after naming the job.

  • Quality of light: Warm or warm-neutral light (roughly 2700K to 3000K) feels comfortable and natural in homes. Higher numbers appear crisper and cooler. (The “K” represents Kelvin; it is the color tone scale used for bulbs)

  • Color accuracy: Aim for a high CRI (Color Rendering Index) if you want realistic skin tones. CRI ≥90 and respectable deep-red rendering (R9 ≥50) are prerequisites for California's JA8 residential standard. That's a good standard to use when choosing bulbs, even outside of California. 

  • Location rating: You need damp-rated fixtures in bathrooms (not in the shower spray); wet-rated fixtures are more suitable in showers or exposed outdoor areas.

  • Depth and walk space: Nothing on the wall that is 27" to 80" off the floor may stick out more than 4" in public or business hallways. The ADA has a safety rule for that. 

  • Dimming and bulbs: Utilize LED bulbs that can be dimmed and are compatible with your dimmer switch. Verify whether your fixture requires an E12 (small/candelabra), E26 (standard), or G9 (pin) bulb base. Keep some extra bulbs on hand.

Where to Place Wall-Sconces 

  • By a mirror in the bathroom: Mount slightly above your eye level, approximately 60” to 65” from the floor to the center. It creates even lighting on the face. To lessen the shadows under the chin and eyes, place one on both sides of the mirror.

  • In a corridor: For a consistent rhythm, place several sconces about 8 to 10 feet apart. Make adjustments for output and ceiling height.

  • Close to showers and bathtubs: The "3 feet horizontal × 8 feet vertical" area should not be used for pendant or cord-hung fixtures over or near bathtubs or showers. Anything inside the zone must be appropriately rated. 

  • Outdoors: Use damp-rated fixtures under a roof where they won't get wet, or wet-rated fixtures where rain can reach them. 

The Best Wall Sconces from Shoppe Maison Rose

Each option below lists its strengths, salient features, and areas of excellence. Maison Rose Interiors has them all in stock. Let’s pick from the real exclusive collections.

  1. Bacia Wall Sconce

Bacia is a straightforward white-glass sconce with a UL Damp rating. It is ideal if you want a vanity to have a gentle, even glow. It is suitable for tidy hallways, living rooms, and bathrooms.

The Basica sconce uses a G9 LED. It is small in dimensions (12" W × 12" H × 6.5" D) and effectively diffuses light. To achieve balanced light, place one on each side of a mirror at eye level.

  1. Brielle Sconce

Brielle combines opal glass, aged brass, and concrete to create a subtle ambient light and a silent statement. It works well for areas like dining, hallway ends, and living room art walls where you want texture and glow without glare.

  1. Curves Wall Sconce 

Curves combines a linen shade with rattan wrapping. The 5" backplate and 9.5" extension are important. To prevent crowding the walkway, measure the width of your hall or mount a little higher. It produces a gentle, off-white glow using a 60W maximum E12 bulb.

  1. Abington Wall Sconce 

Abington is an elegant choice for a bedroom headboard or to set on both sides of a fireplace. With only a 5.5" extension and an 18" height, Abington reads elegantly vertical without hanging down too much. It utilizes a white faux-silk shade with a 60W E12 light.

  1. Angie Asymmetrical Glass Sconce

It is a contemporary glass sconce with a unique twist. With its metal wrap and cinched glass profile, Angie is small and striking. It operates in confined spaces, such as narrow entryways, hallways, living rooms, or bedrooms. It runs a G9 LED (4W)and extends 5.75".

  1. Alva Sconce 

Need a focused task light or reading light next to a chair or desk? Alva Sconce is a mid-century, movable task light. For accurate aim, it features a gooseneck arm and a perforated metal cone. It lists a small 4.75" backplate and a broad 17" minimum to 56" maximum height.

  1. Amrie Outdoor Wall Sconce

Amrie has a textured black frame, clear glass, and candle-style bulbs (E12, 18W max each). It is ETL wet-rated for exposed entries and walkways. It looks great against light or dark siding and is available in one or two-light versions.

Bonus Outdoor Pick: Atwater Wall Sconce 

Atwater offers a UL Wet rating, a perforated shade, and a patina brass finish. It is strong enough to flank a large facade. Moreover, it is tall (26" H) with a 12" projection. So, scale it with your door height.

Make The Right Match

  • Vanity lighting: Use damp-rated sconces with diffusing glass, like the Bacia, for vanity lighting. Install on both sides of the mirror at eye level. Add a dimmer and select 2700 to 3000K bulbs. 

  • Hallways and stairs: Select shallow fixtures for stairs and hallways. Mount above 80" or adhere to the ADA's 4" projection guide. For even lighting, place space sconces 8 to 10 feet apart. 

  • Reading nooks and bedsides: Pick bedsides and reading nooks with adjustable sconces so that you can direct the light. When seated, keep the switch close at hand.

  • Outdoor entries: Use rain-rated fixtures for outdoor entries. Adjust for door size: mid-size entries work well with simple, clean forms like Amrie, while larger entries can accommodate larger, deeper sconces like Atwater. 

Final Thoughts: Small Installation Details 

Little decisions made during installation have a significant impact. Make sure the height is appropriate, clear the area of projections, match the fixture to the space, and use the appropriate dimmer for the bulbs. If you follow these, your sconces will last, feel cozy, and look clean.

  • Height: Most sconces should be centered 60 to 65 inches above the ground.

  • Projection: Use low-profile fixtures (approximately ≤4"), or mount above 80" in narrow hallways.

  • Location rating: Wet for exposed outdoor areas; damp for baths.

  • Bulbs and dimming: Use dimmable LEDs that are compatible with your dimmer; make sure to check the base (E12/E26/G9).

  • Backplate and sealing: Make sure the box is covered by the backplate; apply a thin caulk bead to the top outside.

 
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