9 Best Living Room Wall Sconce Ideas

You will agree with me that lighting shapes the mood of your living room more than any piece of decor. Among all lighting options, wall sconces stand out for their unique style and functionality. They light the room without taking up floor or table space and decorate your empty walls. But if you are new to wall sconces, choosing the right style can feel confusing at first. There is no need to worry! In this guide, I will discuss the 9 best living room wall sconce ideas. Each idea will help you see how wall sconces can brighten and decorate your living room in different ways. So let's get started! 

Why Use Wall Sconces in the Living Room?

A wall sconce is a light fixture mounted to a wall rather than to the ceiling or floor. These light fixtures are the easiest way to add custom lighting and make your living room look stylish. But many people still ask, Why choose a wall sconce for the living room? Here are the key reasons!

• Save Valuable Space: As you know, wall sconces are fixed on the wall. So they do not take up any table or floor space. This is extremely helpful in small living rooms where every inch matters. You don't need big lamps or side tables with wall sconces, which keeps the room uncluttered.

• Add Decorative Style: Wall sconces act like mini artworks. They come in beautiful designs, shapes, and colors that instantly upgrade your walls. Even when the lights are turned off, sconces decorate your space and make it look more stylish.

• Improve Layered Lighting: Your living room cannot look good with only one type of light. You need different lights for different jobs. For example, you may need focused light to read or work, or the main light that brightens the whole room. Wall sconces help you add these extra lights easily. They light up dark corners, illuminate your wall decor, and provide soft light to make the room feel calm and cozy.

• Highlight Important Features: Wall sconces are great for drawing attention to special areas in your living room. You can use them to highlight artwork, shelves, mirrors, or architectural details. A simple wall sconce can turn an ordinary wall into an eye-catching feature.

• Easy to Install & Long-Lasting: Wall sconces are simple to install and easy to maintain. Once installed, they stay in place and provide reliable lighting for years. With LED bulbs, wall sconces also use less electricity. This makes wall sconces a cost-effective option for long-term use.

9 Best Living Room Wall Sconce Ideas

Wall sconces come in many styles, and each one adds its own mood and beauty. But many people don't know which wall sconce style matches their living room’s decor. To help you out, here are some of the best living room wall sconce ideas.

1- Modern Minimalist Wall Sconces

Modern minimalist wall sconces are perfect if you love a clean and simple look in your living room. These sconces usually have smooth lines, basic shapes, and no extra decoration. Essentially, these wall sconces focus on simplicity and blend easily with almost any interior style. Their designs are often slim and lightweight, which helps your walls look neat and uncluttered. 

Even though they look simple, minimalist sconces add a stylish and modern touch to your space. One of the things I love most about minimalist sconces is that they provide soft, gentle lighting. They don't over-illuminate the room or create harsh brightness. Instead, they add a calm and peaceful glow that makes the living room feel relaxing. You can place them beside the sofa, around a TV wall, or near artwork to create a smooth, balanced look.

2- Swing-Arm Wall Sconces

Installing swing-arm wall sconces is a practical and stylish idea for any living room. These wall sconces have an extendable arm that can move forward, backward, or to the side. This allows you to direct light exactly where you need it. That's why I recommend swing-arm sconces for reading nooks or work areas in your living room. 

You can pull the light close for focused tasks or push it back for soft ambient lighting. Their flexibility makes them both functional and decorative. Besides being practical, swing-arm sconces add personality to your living room. They often come in modern, classic, or industrial designs, so you can find one that fits your room's style. 

3- Industrial Metal Wall Sconces

For a bold, edgy look in your living room, industrial metal wall sconces are another great option. They are usually made of metals such as black iron, bronze, or brushed steel, and often have exposed bulbs. This style gives a raw, vintage, and slightly rugged feel, which is ideal if you have an industrial-themed living room. 

These sconces are not just for style; they also provide functional lighting. They can highlight specific areas, such as artwork, bookshelves, or a cozy reading corner. You can place them on either side of a sofa or above a side table to create a balanced look. Many industrial sconces are adjustable. That means you can direct the light exactly where you need it. 

4- Candle-Style Wall Sconces

Candle-style wall sconces are another classic and elegant choice to make your living room inviting. These sconces are designed to look like traditional candles. However, most modern versions use safe LED bulbs that mimic the soft flicker of a real flame. This style adds a touch of sophistication to your living room and makes it cozy. Even when the light is turned off, candle-style sconces act as decorative pieces.

Apart from their decorative appeal, candle-style sconces provide soft, gentle lighting. Hence, I suggest installing them around fireplaces, on accent walls, or near mirrors to highlight the room's beauty. Their warm light helps soften the space and makes the living room feel comfortable and welcoming. Additionally, these sconces often come in materials like brass, bronze, or wrought iron. These materials ensure their durability and aesthetics.  

5- Art Deco Wall Sconces

Do you want your living room to feel luxurious, stylish, and glamorous? Art Deco wall sconces are the perfect choice for this purpose. Basically, these wall sconces are inspired by the design styles of the 1920s and 1930s. Thus, they feature bold geometric shapes, symmetry, and shiny materials. It means Art Deco sconces are designed not only to provide light but also to act as eye-catching decorations.

In addition to their elegant appearance, Art Deco sconces provide soft, focused lighting. They provide smooth, concentrated light that can highlight every feature in your living room. If you don't have decorative pieces, Art Deco sconces themselves become focal points with their bold style. They work beautifully on accent walls, above console tables, or on either side of a sofa or TV unit. 

6- Alabaster Wall Sconces

Alabaster wall sconces are another excellent choice for natural light and beauty in a living room. Alabaster is a soft, translucent stone that has natural patterns and gentle color variations. When light passes through it, the stone creates a soft, glowing effect that feels calm and soothing. This type of lighting is perfect for a relaxing atmosphere without harsh brightness.

What attracts me more about alabaster wall scones is that each piece is unique. Alabaster is a natural stone, so every piece has its own soft lines and natural patterns. This makes each scene feel special and unique. Additionally, alabaster's simple look matches every living room style. No matter where you place it, an alabaster sconce adds a touch of calm beauty and natural charm.

7- Glass Globe Wall Sconces

Glass globe wall sconces are a modern and elegant lighting option that can instantly brighten and refresh your living room.  These sconces are known for their round glass shades, which can be clear, frosted, or tinted. The globe design provides a soft, even glow that gently spreads light across the room. Unlike harsh overhead lighting, glass globe sconces make the space feel calm. 

Their real strength of glass globe wall sconces lies in their versatility and style. For example, clear glass globes let the bulb shine brightly, so you can install them in reading nooks. However, frosted or tinted globes soften the light and enhance the room's mood. Glass globe sconces are also practical and low-maintenance. They are durable, easy to clean, and often designed to work with LED bulbs, which save energy costs. 

8-Up-and-Down Light Wall Sconces

For living rooms that need both style and functional brilliance, up-and-down light wall sconces are a perfect solution. Unlike regular sconces, these fixtures shine light in two directions: upward and downward. The upward light softly brightens the walls and ceiling, making the room feel larger and airier. Downward light highlights furniture, decor, or reading areas, giving them an artistic look. 

What makes these sconces truly stand out is their ability to turn ordinary walls into design statements. When the sconce shines light both up and down, it doesn't just make the wall bright. Instead, it creates soft areas of light and shadow on the wall. Some parts look a little more colorful, and some parts a little darker. This makes the wall look more interesting and lively, rather than plain and flat. Up-and-down wall sconces are ideal for long walls, accent walls, or placements beside sofas, mirrors, and artwork.

9- Decorative Sculptural Wall Sconces

If you want your living room lighting to make a statement, sculptural sconces are the perfect choice. These sconces are not just functional—they are art pieces for your walls. With creative shapes, textures, and designs, they turn ordinary walls into eye-catching focal points. For example, they can be shaped like abstract forms, flowing lines, or even modern geometric sculptures. 

The unique design draws the eye, making your wall feel alive and dynamic. What makes sculptural sconces truly special is the way they interact with light and space. How? Actually, when illuminated, the intricate shapes cast soft shadows and reflections. This creates a layered lighting effect that enhances the living room's mood. You can install the sculptural sconces on accent walls, reading nooks, and the sides of tables. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Are wall sconces suitable for small living rooms?

Yes! Wall sconces are very suitable for small living rooms. As I said above, wall sconces don't take up any floor or table space. Therefore, they are perfect for living rooms with limited space. They attach directly to the wall and provide soft lighting without making the space feel crowded. 

Are decorative wall sconces worth the cost?

Yes, decorative wall sconces are worth the cost. They not only provide light but also serve as wall decorations, elevating the room's style. Even when turned off, they make your walls look elegant and inviting. This functionality and decorative nature make the wall sconces worth it. 

How high should wall sconces be installed? 

Wall sconces should generally be installed at about 60 to 66 inches from the floor. This height keeps the light at eye level for most people and feels comfortable. However, depending on your room height, you can adjust the wall sconces' height. 

Conclusion 

Wall sconces have become more than just a source of light. They are a stylish and simple way to transform your living room. However, wall sconces come in various types, styles, and materials. Therefore, styling them in a living room might feel tricky. In this article, I discuss the nine best living room wall sconce ideas to light up your room. 

From simple modern designs to bold decorative styles, there is a sconce for every taste and every type of living room. They can highlight furniture or special areas while making your space feel comfortable and inviting. Moreover, all these wall sconce lights do not take up much space, which is a big plus for tight spaces.