Design features
A sconce is a wall-mounted lighting fixture consisting of a housing, a lampshade, a lamp, a wire and a switch. Materials used in production include glass, wood, stainless steel, light metals, crystal, and leather.
Rhinestones and semi-precious stones are used as decoration. The lightweight design allows them to be placed on any wall surface, including plasterboard.
Hallway lighting
To arrange small corridors, it is proposed to place wall light sources not too high, but at the level of human height. This way you can visually expand the area, including by reflecting light from furniture or a mirror.
Sconces will also help decorate long corridors if they are installed in a chain along the entire wall. They are also used to illuminate the guest meeting area, threshold or staircase.
In the hallway you can place a mirror, on both sides of which you can install devices. This can be done symmetrically or at different distances, as can be seen in the presented photos of the lamp on the wall.
Style
Each room is decorated in a certain stylistic direction.
And for each style one or another type of lamp will be appropriate:
- The classic style is compact, clear lines, simplicity and functionality. The lamp designs are made of crystal or bronze. A small number of decorating elements is welcome.
- High-tech includes a mixture of constructivism coupled with high technology. Interior decoration implies the presence of simple models without a hint of pathos.
- Modern - suitable for rooms with modern decoration, in perfect harmony with the straight lines of interior design and avant-garde forms. It is advisable to choose products with rounded shapes or broken lines.
- Country music is characterized by the use of natural materials. The lamps should have elements made of wood and fabric. The lines are soft, reminiscent of plants.
- Eco - characterized by lighting fixtures with wooden lampshades. They are optimally combined with wooden interior elements - a bedside headboard, a mirror in a wooden frame.
- Loft - many sconce options fall into the category of universal lighting devices due to the absence of unnecessary details. However, the chosen device itself will add a characteristic antique touch.
- Gothic is a combination of color and sophisticated plasticity. When choosing sconces, crystal and openwork forging, colored glass and metal elements are suitable.
Types of lamps by mounting method
The method of fixing the illuminators in the room largely affects the ease of their use, maintenance and cleaning. Models located high will not allow you to wash the lampshades and remove dust every week. Access to the wall products is quite easy, so maintaining them will be easy. But it is not at all necessary to fix the products in one place. There are many desktop and floor-standing mobile models. They simply move and help to properly illuminate work areas and recreation areas. To create the right light, it is recommended to combine different types of models. And to simplify the arrangement of premises, you should familiarize yourself with products that do not require lengthy installation and connection. Studying all the types will make it easy to choose the most suitable models for your entire home.
Hanging
Stylish pendant-type illuminators can be mounted close to the ceiling or have a long leg and be equipped with voluminous shades. The first type allows you to eliminate the reduction of space in the room and achieve a laconic design. Ideal for fastening in plasterboard structures and tension fabrics. Models with a minimum frame height can be equipped with different decor: pendants, figured metal and wooden elements. They may include several mini-plafonds located on a common area. Lighting fixtures with “legs” are optimal for styling a room. They can be equipped with designer lampshades or manufactured without lampshades. The latter attract with their simplicity and ease of care. The most difficult to clean are products with numerous crystal and glass pendants and models with lampshades curved upward (dust constantly accumulates in them).
Built-in
Beautiful lighting fixtures can not only be hung, but also built in. Models of this type are universal and suitable for placement in any part of the room. The products are often used to equip hotels: they take up minimal space and are easy to clean. Point models installed in load-bearing and auxiliary plasterboard structures consume little electricity. Can be used to create lighting in the form of patterns, simple geometric shapes. Point models can be rotating or non-rotating. The first allow you to change the angle of the lamp and direct the light flux. They can be equipped with frosted or transparent protective glass, which determines the brightness and softness of the light. Model frames (framing lamps) can be silver, gold, bronze or black and white.
Wall mounted
Wall-mounted illuminators allow you to arrange any room quickly and easily. Equipped with fastening legs and a fastening strip. For overhead models, wall-ceiling installation is acceptable. They have various shapes: from squares to ovals and circles. The models have a neat body protruding above the surface to which they are attached. Some are equipped with a thin body and a glass shade, so that the light from them spreads in all directions. They are lightweight and ideal for installation on plasterboard partitions, walls, and other prefabricated structures. They are used to equip furniture and stairs. The wall light attracts due to its minimal space limitations.
Floor-standing
The presence of sufficient free space on the floor of the room allows the installation of floor-standing illuminators. They are equipped with long legs, allowing the model to be used to illuminate a large radius of space around. Floor lamps can have round, cylindrical shades. Stylized models with curly (curved to the sides) lampshades and lampshades in the form of flowers are very popular. Based on design features, they are divided into:
- open;
Which have access to the lamp from above, below or from several sides.
- closed;
With stylized shades that have hidden ventilation holes. They seem whole. Thanks to this design, they are easy to clean: dust and dirt practically do not get inside the lampshade.
- combined.
Includes several open and closed shades. Allows illumination of large areas. Ideal for halls, spacious hallways, halls.
Tabletop
The use of tabletop products allows you to properly illuminate relaxation and work areas. Used for installation on coffee tables, desks and computer tables, bedside tables. Provide comfort for reading and writing. Indispensable when arranging niches in the headboards of beds. Suitable for styling rooms equipped with fireplaces. They can have a standard design (include a small lampshade) or be equipped with stylized lampshades in the form of balls and flowers. Combination models with built-in clocks, pen stands, and other office supplies are attractive. Tabletop products with legs in the form of figurines are perfect for highlighting the table or cabinets on which they are installed. Such models are great for emphasizing the sophistication of home decoration.
Functional
The main function of sconces is high-quality lighting. Control options are considered optional extras. There are two types of directions - rotary and stationary options.
Rotating models can rotate, changing the path of light. They are used near a table or chair, where it is necessary to move the flow of light.
Stationary ones are suitable for objects that do not move in space - beds, mirrors. Fixed-type lamps are attached to the wall, creating diffused light when turned on.
Functions of lamps
The main function of lighting fixtures is to create the right light. Every corner, work surfaces, and rest areas should be well-lit. But also by combining different types of illuminators, you can visually change the shape of the room you are furnishing. They will allow you to expand the area, stretch the space horizontally and vertically. Installing non-standard products will create a special atmosphere. Lighting devices can be used for unusual illumination of individual areas of the room, highlighting furniture, niches, and other non-standard designs. With their help, you can update and make the usual design more interesting. The protective function of illuminators when they are included in a special “smart” system is also important. It is indispensable for people who often go on business trips and are not at home.
Lighting
Proper and good lighting of any home is achieved by choosing bright devices of different types. For example, for rooms in which the owners relax, correct lighting of areas for work, reading, and writing is especially important. After all, if the light is not bright enough, you will have to strain your eyes a lot. This will lead to vision problems in the future. Convenience and safety of movement in rooms and corridors in the evening and at night also depend on the correct lighting created. Careful selection of illuminators should also be carried out for potentially hazardous areas. For example, for kitchen worktops, stoves, work tables and surfaces in the garage, home workshop, where a variety of tools and machines are used. The presence of high-quality lighting will eliminate injuries when carrying out any household work.
Creating a special atmosphere or relaxation
Unusual lighting fixtures or combining several types of products help create different types of lighting. For example, to create a romantic atmosphere or ideal conditions for watching movies in the evening, installing dimmable lights is suitable. Subdued lighting, lighting in blue and purple tones will create a special coziness. The use of many small illuminators and night lights and projectors will help create a fabulous atmosphere for a child. An imitation of the starry sky will help the little dreamer fall asleep in a great mood. In halls and other rooms where family and friends often gather, bright lighting should be provided. For this purpose, a combination of lighting fixtures that are suspended and attached to the walls is suitable. Such lighting will help you create bright and colorful pictures and make it easy to take high-quality photographs of cheerful feasts.
Visual change in space shapes
It is very easy to increase the height of the walls and make the passage wider with the help of lighting fixtures. The placement of many wall lights will help to visually expand the space. Hitting the walls with vertical stripes of light will increase their height. When such light falls at an angle from above, it will help reduce the height and make the room more comfortable. For small passages, it is recommended to install illuminators along the entire ceiling perimeter. The installation of small lighting fixtures in the central part of the walls will help to visually expand the passage. Using adjustable wall lights, you can completely change the space. By directing streams of light to different corners, you can stretch out a square room or visually round it.
Changing the space should not conflict with the right light. Therefore, to darken the room visually, it is allowed to darken those corners that are not used in the evening. You can equip such corners with auxiliary lights that can be switched on separately.
Local and decorative lighting
Using decorative lighting can easily and simply change the decoration of a room and make it unique and stylish. It can be carried out for the following zones and objects:
- niches, wall structures, shelves;
Great for highlighting the head of a bed, plasterboard figured structures, arches, and doorways. When shelves are placed close together, it provides a visual increase in their depth.
- along the aisles, on the steps;
Lighters mounted above the baseboards widen the passage and significantly brighten it. Equipping the steps with light bulbs ensures the safety of going up and down the stairs and gives it an unusual look in the daytime.
- furniture (tables, cabinets, beds).
Bright lighting under the bed creates the effect of lightness: it floats above the floor. Installing dim lighting in the cabinet body and in the internal equipment allows you to highlight the product in the overall design and make its use as convenient as possible.
Home security
Connecting lighting fixtures throughout the home into one circuit with remote activation allows for good security. For example, when owners leave, the system will be able to turn lights in different rooms on and off. This will create the impression that the owners are in the apartment. These precautions provide simple and effective protection. After all, intruders will not have the desire to break into someone else’s home. Outdoor and indoor lights with motion sensors are also very useful. True, such lighting devices also react to animals. It is advisable to install them in housing where pets are not kept.
The system for turning the lights on and off can be controlled remotely by an application or immediately programmed for a specific operating mode. When choosing it, you need to study all the features of its functioning.
Sizes and shapes
Manufacturers produce lamps in a variety of configurations - in the form of balls, disks, ovals, in the form of pipes, flowers, cones, etc. Some models require space, while others will need a small area on the wall surface.
The aesthetic principle when choosing is the harmony of the sconce with the interior item. That is, the wall lamp should not be larger than the reproduction or mirror it illuminates.
Type of lampshades
There are three main groups of lampshades:
- Closed - produced with solid shades. They are made of glass and have a simple shape. The lamp in such models remains closed;
- Open - a transparent lampshade is made in the form of a lamp bulb;
- Halves - a model in which the lampshade covers only a certain part of the sconce. This type of lampshades promotes a certain direction of light flow.
Types of wall lamps
To realize utilitarian and decorative functions, it is necessary to correctly select and arrange light sources. Therefore, you need to understand what types of lamps exist.
Depending on the design features there are:
A lighting fixture mounted on a bracket, covered on top with a lampshade or shade. This option is quite convenient due to the presence of a rotating mechanism. Thanks to this, you can turn it in the desired direction.
A lamp that includes a light source and a lampshade. Mounting is done with the rear surface to the selected location on the wall. They are not overloaded with decorative elements and are more suitable for small spaces, such as a bathroom or kitchen. Due to their minimalism, they will look good in combination with an interior in a loft or hi-tech style.
Built-in lamps are point sources of directional light. They will be the optimal solution if the walls are sheathed, for example with plasterboard. At the same time, they do not visually reduce the space in the room.
Suspended models, in which the lampshade or bowl is attached to the frame in a suspended state. Their light direction is usually downward.
Now sconces can be made from a wide variety of materials. These include traditional solutions made of glass or plastic or more original wooden, bamboo, and metal solutions. Lampshades can also have a wide variety of shapes - from round to fancy with patterns and monograms.
It is also important in which direction the diffuser is directed. It can be closed from the bottom so that the light goes upward, or from the top to form a clear light spot on the floor.
Some models may not have a diffuser at all - candle lamps are installed in them or bulbs are mounted. Combined samples are popular, in which you can simulate the luminous flux at your discretion.
Power Supply Option
The most common method is to connect the lamp directly to the mains.
- The electrical wire is recessed into the wall, and contact with the supply wires is made using a terminal connection.
- The light is turned on using a key switch or a special button on the device body.
- Recently, models of wall lamps equipped with a control panel have appeared on the market.
Accommodation
Sconces are hung on the wall with a distance of 1.0 -1.5 m from the floor surface. It is important to take into account the configuration of the furniture, the height of the ceiling and the shape of the wall lamps.
By placing the lamp opposite the TV, the quality of the display may deteriorate due to glare on the screen.
Light distribution method
There are four types of luminous flux distribution:
- Uniform - redistributes the light flux along a given area.
- Diffusing - the light flux is directed into the room space throughout the entire internal volume of the device.
- Directional - light is directed to illuminate a specific area.
- Semi-directional - the light is partially distributed, but is predominantly scattered in a given direction.
Sconce in the interior
When choosing a lamp, it is important that the sconces match the overall style of the interior. If there is a chandelier in the living room, wall lamps are selected in exactly the same style.
- Mixing different styles will disrupt the harmony of your home interior and will look ridiculous.
- The most successful places for hanging sconces are a fireplace, a couch, and upholstered furniture. Bright models of sconces with a directed flow of light will look impressive.
- When illuminating paintings and mirrors, simple designs of lamps with thin legs are suitable.
- At the location of the mirrors, it is recommended to hang a pair of sconces at an equal distance.
In rooms with low ceilings, the luminous flux should be directed upward. In special situations, the light flux can be redirected to the sides. And vice versa, in high ones - the light rushes to the floor.
It is important to remember that an ill-thought-out method of lighting will draw attention to the unevenness of the walls.
If the room is narrow and rectangular in shape, you should opt for compact lamps.
In the interior design of the hall, the main role is played by lighting. With its help you can achieve a pleasant, cozy atmosphere. Wall sconces emphasize the beauty of the interior, combine objects into a holistic composition, while filling the room with light.
Recommendations when choosing lamps
Proper combination of room design with selected lighting fixtures is the key to good equipment. When selecting models, you should take into account their color scheme, the presence of decorations, and sizes. Compliance with geometric shapes or any objects affects the overall perception of the product in the room. For example, curved curly models emphasize the sophistication and originality of the design. Large lampshades with minimal shade transitions are a guarantee of creating a minimalist style. The use of spots, track models with a “rough” design will eliminate the highlighting of devices in loft and chalet rooms. But the use of small illuminators and strip lights is recommended only for ultra-modern trends: in classic, baroque or empire styles they can disrupt the harmonious design.
For the interior of the room
Compliance with style when choosing lighting fixtures is extremely important. Installed models can either complement the overall appearance of the room or radically change it. When choosing suitable products, you should be guided by the following style recommendations:
- classical;
This direction accepts the installation of any types of illuminators with carved and figured elements.
- modern;
Strict forms, 1-2 colors for the frame and lampshade, and the presence of glossy surfaces are the basic requirements for illuminators of this type.
- modern;
For stylistic reasons, combining models with unusual shapes is suitable. For example, it allows for original illumination of door and window openings and the creation of space “portals” from them.
- high tech;
Compliance with ideal geometry and white, but subdued light from devices is an excellent option for the high-tech direction.
- Scandinavian;
For the direction, black, white, gray models in the form of geometric shapes and futuristic designs are suitable.
- Provence
Graceful chandeliers in white and silver, pastel colors with similar wall models are the best solution for the French style.
For different types of premises
When choosing lighting fixtures, you must take into account the location of their installation. The following hint will help you easily select different types of devices:
- living room;
In a spacious hall, it is recommended to combine wall models and hanging products.
- kitchen;
Can be equipped with 1-3 suspended models and several sconces. Lighting must be installed above the worktop.
- bedroom;
Allows the combination of 1 hanging product and several wall models, different types of furniture lighting, openings.
- bathroom;
Can be equipped with any types of illuminators that are moisture-proof.
- children's;
Requires combining different types of models to create the most correct light. Additional lighting should be mounted above a desk, computer desk, or play area.
- hallway;
The optimal solution would be to install several wall lights and lighting near a mirror or cabinet.
- cabinet.
The design of the workroom should include wall models and a high-quality tabletop light.
