Sconces sit at eye level, which makes them the least forgiving fixture in the house for a badly chosen bulb. Too bright and it glares every time you walk past. Too dim and the fixture may as well not be there.
How bright is right
| Sconce is for | Lumens per bulb |
|---|---|
| Bedside reading | 450 – 800 |
| Hallway | 200 – 450 |
| Bathroom vanity | 450 – 800 |
| Accent on a wall | 200 – 400 |
Shape by shade type
- Open shade pointing up or down — a reflector bulb (R or BR) concentrates the beam where the shade aims it.
- Enclosed fabric or glass shade — a candle or globe bulb, since the shade does the diffusing.
- Exposed bulb sconce — frosted glass, always. A clear bulb at eye level is a glare source.
Check the maximum wattage
Every sconce has a maximum marked on the socket or inside the canopy. With LED this is rarely an issue, since an 8-watt LED produces what a 60-watt incandescent used to. But in an enclosed fixture, check that the bulb is rated for enclosed use — trapped heat shortens LED life significantly.
Outdoor sconces
Use a bulb rated for damp or wet locations to match the fixture. LED handles cold starts far better than CFL, which is what you want on a porch in January.
Related
See also chandelier bulbs and wall lights and sconces.