How Much Should You Spend on a Wall Sconce?

Wall sconces are versatile, space-saving fixtures that can act as functional art in the home.

As any lighting designer will tell you, layering is key to creating the right ambiance. Toward that end, wall sconces are the ideal choice for creating everything from a bold, large-scale effect to specific task lighting. 

“We are big fans of sconces and use them often, both as functional pieces and aesthetic focal points,” says Lauren Nelson, owner and principal of Lauren Nelson Design in San Francisco’s Bay Area. “I like to use wall sconces in spaces where I want more ambient light, and where we want a visual element on the wall.”