Facts About Sconce Lighting

For all you Game of Thrones fans, did you know that sconce lighting originated in medieval times? Yup, that is correct! Its earliest inceptions were simple wall-mounted candle holders in medieval castles and homes.

As time passed over the centuries, sconce lighting evolved from wall-mounted candle holders to oil lamps and gas lights, eventually arriving at our modern-day electric lights.

This evolutionary process involved the energy source itself, but one cannot evolve the source without involving style and design.

Now, let’s talk about the styles and designs of sconce lighting. Sconces come in various styles and sizes, from traditional and antique to modern and contemporary. They can be fancy with intricate designs or sleek and minimalist. Regardless of your style or preference, there is a sconce to fit your taste.

The variety of styles also extends to the materials used to make sconces. Some of the materials include metal, glass, wood, and ceramic. Oftentimes, the materials used greatly influence the style and atmosphere or ambiance the sconce lighting creates. Let’s not forget that sconce lighting also has shade options, which affect the exterior aesthetic, and light diffusion, which influences the ambiance it creates.

As with any lighting, the placement and functionality of the sconce lighting are significant factors to consider. The functionality of your sconce lighting affects the placement. For example, if your sconce lighting is for your kitchen and the function is to provide focused lighting for food prep, including cutting and other culinary tasks, then above-the-countertops, workstations, or islands would be preferred.  

To continue the example, if sconce lighting is for the bathroom, you’d want to provide even, flattering lighting for applying makeup, shaving, and styling hair. The trick is to eliminate shadows; for shadow elimination, sconces can be placed on either side of bathroom mirrors. This placement ensures even lighting, perfect for grooming tasks. One quick note: when spacing your sconces on either side of the mirror, make sure they are symmetrically aligned for uniform lighting.

Here’s a thought: Do you think medieval people worried about the symmetry of sconce lighting? Yes, we didn’t think so either. But how great is it that we have choices? And we haven’t talked about smart sconce lighting yet – maybe we’ll save that for next time!