Wall sconces can add a great deal of class and drama into your living area. They produce a soft and warm glow that is both welcoming and relaxing. It is a classy yet subtle piece of illumination that can help accentuate a place with its glow at the same time show off the art form in itself. Sconces are available in a lot of designs and one is inevitably bound to match your room decor. Picking the right one is not hard but will still take a wee bit time to learn the basics of this unique source.

1. 1. Location. Choose the area where you want to place wall sconces. Outdoors are different from indoors. Outdoor wall illumination can endure more weather beating because of its exposure to weather changes. Items such as the Black Tuscan 4 Light Outdoor Wall Sconces from the Castle Collection by Murray Feiss Lighting for traditional looks and the Faux Alabaster Lumenaria Alabaster Stone / Glass 1 Light Outdoor Wall Sconce From The Lumenaria Collection by Justice Design Group for more contemporary designs.


2. 2. Style. There are four basic types of sconces: the armed candle, flush-to-wall, half moon and the specialty ones. Choose one that will complement the design of the room and be functional as well. A beautiful classy yet modern looking armed candle scone is the Pewter Cortland Single Light Ornate Cast Brass Wall Sconce by Crystorama Lighting Group. A half moon sconce that will surely take your breath away is the minimalist Great Cyprus Fluorescent Half-moon Wall Sconce by A-19 Lighting. The Somino Two Light Flush Mount/Wall Sconce by Zaneen is a flush-to-wall sconce that is both trendy and useful in illuminating hallways. Specialty ones are often eclectic and are used to decorate interior walls just like the ET2 Lighting Crystal Forest.


3. 3. Height. The height of the room to be illuminated and the height of the wall fitting to be installed are also critical. They are usually mounted halfway from the floor to the ceiling approximately 5-6.5 feet from the floor. The higher your ceiling, the higher you may place the fixtures. You may want to ask your salesperson about the installation specifications of the model you are buying to ensure that you are maximizing the effect and aesthetic value of the model you are getting.


4. 4. Function. You must decide on why you are getting these items. Is it for aesthetic purposes only or for full functionality in your living area? Some may only be for decoration and accentuating effects but some really do provide adequate illumination in an area without being much of a head-turner. A fitting that combines both aesthetic value and functionality is the Black Contemporary/Modern Wall Washer Sconce by George Kovacs.


5. 5. Price. The price must always be right. They are available in very affordable prices as low as $12 like the Oxford Silver Bedford Traditional/Classic Reversible Wall Sconce from the Bedford collection by Progress Lighting. Others can go beyond $2000 like the very classy Persona 2 Light Wall Sconce by Nulco Lighting.