Guide to choosing your perfect wall sconce

Why choose a wall sconce in your interior?

Before trying to choose your sconce, it is essential to understand what it can truly bring to an interior. Both aesthetic and functional, it adapts to all rooms in the house and offers advantages that other lighting fixtures do not always provide.

First, it frees up floor or furniture space, making it an excellent space-saving solution, especially in hallways, small bedrooms, or entrances. In terms of ambiance, it diffuses a soft and enveloping light, ideal for creating a warm atmosphere without dazzling. In a bathroom, a wall sconce placed around the mirror helps avoid annoying shadows, while in a living room, it subtly complements the main light sources.

Finally, it is also a true decorative asset. With or without a lampshade, in metal, wood, or glass, sconces structure walls and highlight a painting, a headboard, or a forgotten corner. Whether for its aesthetics, practicality, or transformative power, the wall sconce deserves your full attention.

The 4 essential criteria for choosing a wall sconce well

Choosing a wall sconce well is not just a matter of taste. It is a subtle balance between functional needs, light intensity, light direction, and decorative harmony. Whether you want to light a hallway, highlight a headboard, or create an atmosphere in the dining room, every detail counts. Start by identifying the installation location. A sconce ideal for a cozy living room will not necessarily suit a bedroom or an entrance. Here are the four criteria to consider before making your choice.

The type of lighting sought

The wall sconce can serve several functions: general, accent, or directional lighting. In a living room, it often complements a ceiling light to add depth. In a hallway or bedroom, it becomes the main source or soft light. Some sconces are adjustable or equipped with a movable arm, ideal for reading in bed. Others offer indirect light for a dimmed effect. The choice therefore depends on the role you want to assign it in your room.

How many lumens for a wall sconce?

Light orientation

Depending on the desired effect, you can opt for light directed upwards, downwards, or both. Upward light creates a soft ambiance and highlights the wall, while a beam downwards accentuates the area to be lit (e.g., bedside table, painting). Bi-directional wall sconces, increasingly trendy, provide an interesting graphic effect and even diffusion.

Choosing style and materials

The design of the wall sconce plays a crucial role in the harmony of the room. For a white wall, a black metal model creates an elegant contrast, while a white sconce will blend discreetly into the decor. Wood adds a warm and natural touch. Adapt the style to your universe: industrial for a loft, Scandinavian for a clean atmosphere, vintage for a retro touch, or contemporary for a modern decoration. Finally, materials influence the quality of the light: glass diffuses softly, metal directs the light, and fabric softens the lighting.

5 places to install a wall sconce

To choose a suitable wall sconce, it’s not enough to think about style: its positioning directly affects the ambiance and lighting efficiency. Depending on the room and use, the ideal location can transform the perception of a space. Here are five contexts where a wall sconce fully reveals its potential, both functional and decorative.

1. Discreet and functional lighting in the entrance or hallway

• Install several sconces spaced evenly to rhythm the path.
• Opt for a soft or neutral light for a warm effect without glare.
• This type of installation provides both safety and aesthetics as soon as you enter your home.

2. Targeted lighting for reading in bed

• Choose a model with an adjustable arm or built-in switch for optimal comfort.
• A power between 300 and 500 lumens is ideal for lighting without straining the eyes.
• Install one on each side of the headboard for perfect visual balance.

3. Choose waterproof wall sconces for the bathroom

• Place them on each side of the mirror for even facial lighting.
• Prefer a sober design and materials resistant to humidity (glass, treated metal).
• Lighting should be functional while contributing to creating a relaxing atmosphere.

4. Decorative highlighting of a painting or shelf

• Direct the light directly onto the element to be highlighted.
• Prefer a warm color temperature to enhance tones.
• Choose a slim or minimalist shape so as not to distract attention from the object.

5. Adding relief to an exterior facade

• Select a waterproof wall light (minimum IP44) to withstand the weather.
• Models with double flux light (up/down) create a subtle play of shadows on the walls.
• Stainless steel, aluminum, or frosted glass are durable materials perfectly suited for outdoor use.

Discover our collection of outdoor wall lights to illuminate and structure your facades with style.

2 common mistakes to avoid when choosing a wall light

A design model alone is not enough to guarantee successful lighting. Some mistakes, often underestimated, can alter the visual effect or harm lighting comfort. Here are two common errors to avoid to fully benefit from the wall light.

Neglecting the installation height

The height at which you wish to install your wall light is essential to ensure pleasant and functional lighting. Poorly positioned, a wall light can dazzle or fail to fulfill its role.

• The recommended height is generally between 1.60 m and 1.80 m from the floor, depending on the use.
• An installation that is too low may visually disturb or dazzle when sitting or lying down.
• Conversely, a wall light placed too high disperses light inefficiently.

To go further, consult our dedicated guide: At what height to position a wall light.

Do not take lighting consistency into account

A poorly integrated sconce can disrupt the harmony of overall lighting. To create a warm and coherent atmosphere, each light source must interact with the others.

• Make sure the color temperature of your light sources is consistent (warm, neutral, or cool light).
• Ensure continuity in the intensity and style of your lights, especially in open rooms or hallway sequences.
• Avoid accumulating too varied or poorly balanced lighting, risking a disorderly result.

Current trends in wall sconces

In 2025, wall sconces no longer just illuminate: they become true decorative objects in their own right. Functionality, technology, and sleek design are the key words for the most sought-after wall lights.

Minimalist and sleek sconces

Continuing current decorative trends, models with simple lines and neutral tones appeal through their discretion and elegance. Simple geometric shapes, often inspired by Scandinavian or contemporary style, are favored to create a calming atmosphere without visual overload.

• Dominant colors: matte white, deep black, beige, or light gray.
• Materials: satin metal, light wood, or frosted glass.
• These decorative objects fit equally well in a modern living room or a minimalist bedroom.

Connected and adjustable models

In the era of the smart home, the sconce is modernized with practical features designed for everyday life. Remotely controllable, compatible with voice assistants, or equipped with touch dimmers, these innovative models combine ease of use and discreet technology.

• Dimmer function to modulate soft or stronger light depending on the time of day.
• Adjustable arms or swivel heads to precisely target the area to be lit.
• Ideal as bedside sconces, in an office, or a flexible living space.

Choosing your wall sconce: a balance between utility and pleasure

Beyond aesthetics, choosing a wall sconce means finding the right balance between functionality, lighting ambiance, and integration into the space. A well-selected sconce improves daily comfort, structures the light, and enhances the decor.

It's also an opportunity to treat yourself by choosing a model that reflects your tastes, sensitivity, and the soul of the place. Minimalist, graphic, adjustable, or decorative: the ideal wall sconce is the one that illuminates... while revealing your personality.

Discover our collection of wall sconces and find the one that will enhance your interior.