Wall Lighting Fixtures

While the vast majority of room lights are usually affixed to the ceiling, wall lighting fixtures are not.  They are, instead, attached to the walls.  These types of light fixtures are called wall sconces.  Ceiling lights which are attached directly to the ceiling or which hang from it as pendants (or as chandeliers, which are highly decorative pendant lights) are designed to cast light over large areas.  Where they once held candles, they now contain decorative globes or use bulbs that are plainly seen.  Small, flame shaped incandescent bulbs are popular in ceiling lights with multiple bulbs.  Many of these bulbs contain faceted glass enclosures to give the effect of twinkling candle flames.  Somew of them also have multiple filaments that light in an alternating fashion, which also gives the effect of a candle flame.
In contrast, most wall sconce lighting fixtures do not openly display the bulb.  Instead, the bulb is concealed and only the light itself is seen.  Wall light fixtures are designed to cast light upwards, downwards, or in both directions.  The word sconce originates from a Latin verb meaning “to hide” or “to conceal,” and so it is apparent that sconces have always held light fixtures in this manner.  Wall mounted light fixtures are often meant to provide modest backlight, or to draw attention to the wall itself.  This is often the case with outdoor wall lighting fixtures.
Because the light from a sconce is more diffuse than overhead lighting, the style is often found in bathrooms over vanities or above mirrors where bright light would be considered jarring.  Most wall sconces use incandescent or LED bulbs for this same reason.  Halogen, Xenon or Krypton bulbs are generally considered too bright to be used in a setting where a sconce would be appropriate.
Wall sconces are generally grouped in one of three types: candle sconces, swing arm sconces and reading or task wall sconces.  Candle sconces, as the name implies, are made to resemble (or actually hold) candles.  Swing arm sconces are affixed to the wall plate by means of a levered arm.  They can be positioned close to the wall or, at need, swung out into the room to provide additional lighting.  Swing arm sconces generally have shades attached to them.  Reading sconces or task sconces are sometimes attached with flexible or multi-positional arms so that they can be aimed in a certain direction, or positioned directly over a reading seat.  Equally often they are attached in a fixed position by a bar or arched support.  These are the types of wall sconce found in bathrooms.  Sconces that are fixed directly to the wall, directing light up or down along the plane of the wall, are also considered to be reading or task sconces.

While the vast majority of room lights are usually affixed to the ceiling, wall lighting fixtures are not.  They are, instead, attached to the walls.  These types of light fixtures are called wall sconces.  Ceiling lights which are attached directly to the ceiling or which hang from it as pendants (or as chandeliers, which are highly decorative pendant lights) are designed to cast light over large areas.  Where they once held candles, they now contain decorative globes or use bulbs that are plainly seen.  Small, flame shaped incandescent bulbs are popular in ceiling lights with multiple bulbs.  Many of these bulbs contain faceted glass enclosures to give the effect of twinkling candle flames.  Somew of them also have multiple filaments that light in an alternating fashion, which also gives the effect of a candle flame.

In contrast, most wall sconce lighting fixtures do not openly display the bulb.  Instead, the bulb is concealed and only the light itself is seen.  Wall light fixtures are designed to cast light upwards, downwards, or in both directions.  The word sconce originates from a Latin verb meaning “to hide” or “to conceal,” and so it is apparent that sconces have always held light fixtures in this manner.  Wall mounted light fixtures are often meant to provide modest backlight, or to draw attention to the wall itself.  This is often the case with outdoor wall lighting fixtures.

Because the light from a sconce is more diffuse than overhead lighting, the style is often found in bathrooms over vanities or above mirrors where bright light would be considered jarring.  Most wall sconces use incandescent or LED bulbs for this same reason.  Halogen, Xenon or Krypton bulbs are generally considered too bright to be used in a setting where a sconce would be appropriate.

Wall sconces are generally grouped in one of three types: candle sconces, swing arm sconces and reading or task wall sconces.  Candle sconces, as the name implies, are made to resemble (or actually hold) candles.  Swing arm sconces are affixed to the wall plate by means of a levered arm.  They can be positioned close to the wall or, at need, swung out into the room to provide additional lighting.  Swing arm sconces generally have shades attached to them.  Reading sconces or task sconces are sometimes attached with flexible or multi-positional arms so that they can be aimed in a certain direction, or positioned directly over a reading seat.  Equally often they are attached in a fixed position by a bar or arched support.  These are the types of wall sconce found in bathrooms.  Sconces that are fixed directly to the wall, directing light up or down along the plane of the wall, are also considered to be reading or task sconces.

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