Sconces: Beautiful Light That Saves Space Blog 3 - Improving Artificial Light
Hello friend,
Wall mounted sconces are one of my favorite bedroom lighting options, and I think once you understand why, you will see why they deserve a place in your bedroom too.
A sconce is simply a light that mounts directly to your wall. It doesn't take up floor or table space. It doesn't crowd your nightstand. It sits right there on the wall, offering light in a way that feels architectural and intentional. For a bedroom, especially if you don't have a lot of surface space, sconces are quietly brilliant.
The beauty of sconces goes beyond practicality, though. There's something about light coming from the wall that feels different from light coming from a lamp on a table. It's softer, more diffused. The wall acts as a reflective surface, and the light bounces gently into the room rather than shining directly at you (as in ceiling light). This matters when you're resting. It matters when your nervous system is already overwhelmed.
Sconces work wonderfully on either side of your bed. One on each side, gives you balanced, gentle light for reading or for those moments when you are awake at 3 AM and don't want to turn on a bright lamp. This one (above) has a dimmer switch, which adds another option to turn on the light slowly, letting you have just a little bit of light when needed, rather than a full "light on" feel. They work beautifully above a dresser, creating a little mirror adjacent moment that feels special. They can frame a sitting area in your bedroom, marking out a cozy corner, where rest happens.
Now, I'll be honest: there are two kinds of sconces, and they require different things. A hard wired sconce means an electrician needs to run wiring through your wall. This is more involved and costs more upfront, but the result is seamless and clean: no visible cords. A plug-in sconce has a cord that goes to an outlet, which some people love because it's temporary and flexible, and others find visually annoying. There's no wrong choice here. It depends on your space and what you can commit to.
The practice side: sconces give you light without clutter. They're beautiful fixtures that can be part of your room's overall aesthetic. There are lots of choices in finish: brass, black, chrome and more. And, they come in styles that match everything from modern to traditional and anything in between.
I do want to point out: a sconce (as seen above) with a dimmer switch will require a light bulb that is dimmable (very important). A sconce that is controlled by a wall switch will require a light bulb that is NOT dimmable (unless the wall switch is on a dimmer). Make sure you know what you have. Lastly, my recommendation is a light bulb = to 40 watts and 2700k (no more). Otherwise, you have too much light, which is counter to what you are trying to do for yourself. You can still read with the light equivalent to a 40w incandescent (yesterdays lightbulb) and keep to 2700k, so it won't mess with your body and that melatonin it's trying to produce for you.
What I love most about sconces is that they make a room feel intentional. You're not just putting lamps anywhere. You are thoughtfully placing light where it serves you most. That kind of attention to detail: the kind that says I'm taking care of myself" can be genuinely grounding when seasonal depression is trying to convince you that nothing matters.
Your room is worth that kind of care...and, so are YOU!, Jeanine
