Everything you need to know about wicker wall sconces
Key takeaways:
- A wicker wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture whose woven wicker shade gives off a soft, subdued light.
- Natural wicker for a warm atmosphere, wicker and metal for a modern decor: finishes range from beige to black.
- LED bulbs are the best choice, and the electrical connection should be carried out by a qualified electrician.
A wicker wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture whose shade is made of woven wicker strands, the supple young shoots of the willow. Among our wall sconces, those made of wicker bring a natural, warm touch to every interior: in a bedroom, an office or a living room, they go with many decor styles, from vintage to the most elegant modern.
Below you will find the different options available, along with useful guidelines for choosing the model that suits your home, from the finish to the mounting height. Like all of our natural wall sconces, they are chosen as much for their material as for their lighting.
Why choose a wicker wall sconce?
Three reasons explain the success of this light fixture:
- Natural elegance: wicker is a natural material whose blond tone and regular weave bring softness and warmth to your decor.
- Versatility: available in different styles, shapes and finishes, wicker sconces suit every room, from the bedroom to the office.
- Durability: when well maintained, wicker keeps its appearance for a long time.
To these qualities is added an effect that few materials offer: the openwork weave breaks up the light and casts a play of shadows and golden reflections on the wall, which gives depth to the room. A wicker sconce thus complements the general lighting with points of subdued light that make a room more welcoming.
Types of wicker wall sconces
Natural wicker wall sconces
Left in its original tone, natural wicker offers a pure, organic look and creates a soft, subdued atmosphere, particularly appreciated in bedrooms and living rooms. Its honey and straw shades warm up a white wall without ever weighing it down.
A natural wicker wall sconce lined with a fabric shade, for example, adds an elegant touch to your interior and softens the beam even further, since the textile hides the bulb from view, which works well for a bedhead.
Wicker and metal wall sconces
Combining wicker and metal brings a modern touch to these sconces, with the rigor of an arm or a ring structuring the suppleness of the weave. These models are right at home in offices and workspaces, where elegance meets functionality.
A wicker and black metal wall sconce, for example, is an excellent choice for a designer indoor lighting scheme, as the contrast between the light fiber and the dark line highlights the silhouette of the light fixture. Our metal wall sconces take this graphic look even further.
LED wicker wall sconces
Wicker sconces with LED combine a modern look with good energy efficiency, whether the light source is integrated into the fixture or is a screw-in bulb. They are perfect in spaces that call for indirect lighting and a soft light, such as a hallway or a living area.
LED also gives off very little heat, which spares the plant fiber. Before choosing, check on the product page whether the light source is integrated or replaceable, and browse our LED wall sconces if you are looking for a specific power or light shade.
| Type of wicker sconce | Atmosphere | Where to install it |
|---|---|---|
| Natural wicker | Soft and subdued, organic | Bedroom, living room |
| Wicker and metal | Modern, designer | Office, workspace |
| LED wicker | Indirect lighting, soft light | Living area, hallway |
How to choose the ideal wicker wall sconce?
Consider the space
The size of the sconce should match the size of the room: in a large space, choose larger sconces that will not get lost on an open wall, and in a small space, prefer more discreet models that light the room without crowding it.
Also think about the projection, that is, the distance the fixture sticks out from the wall, since a bulky shade quickly gets in the way in a narrow hallway. On a large stretch of wall, two sconces placed symmetrically give a better result than a single isolated model.
Materials and finishes
The choice of material is decisive, because it sets the tone of the room: natural wicker sconces are perfect for a warm atmosphere, while those that combine wicker and metal blend better into a modern decor.
Finishes range from beige wicker to black wicker, which lets you fully personalize your space. The light tones of our beige wall sconces blend into a natural setting, whereas black wall sconces draw a bold silhouette against a white wall.
Type of light
LED bulbs are recommended for their energy efficiency and long lifespan, and they are the only ones to use under a natural fiber shade, since they give off very little heat. They provide a soft, subdued light, ideal for creating a welcoming atmosphere, especially in warm white, at around 2700 kelvins.
As the weave often lets the bulb show through, a filament LED with clear glass draws sharp shadows on the wall, whereas frosted glass gives a more even light. Respect the base and the maximum power indicated on the product page and, on a dimmer, check that the bulb is marked "dimmable".
Design and style
Choose a design that complements your existing decor: wicker sconces come in different designs, from the simplest to the most elaborate, to suit every decor style.
A tight weave lets little light through and suits ambient lighting, whereas a loose, very open weave lights up more and multiplies the play of shadows. A simple shape is enough in a streamlined interior, while a bohemian-inspired decor can support a more elaborate design.
Installation and care of wicker wall sconces
Mounting height and placement
In a living room, a hallway or an entryway, a sconce is generally mounted between 1.60 m and 1.80 m from the floor, so that the light source stays slightly above eye level and does not cause glare. In a long hallway, allow about two meters to two and a half meters between two sconces.
At the head of a bed, mount it lower, between 1.10 m and 1.40 m from the floor depending on the height of the bed, so that the light reaches shoulder height when you read sitting up. The placement also depends on the planned wire outlet in the wall, whose creation or relocation is a job for a qualified electrician.
Installation guide
Mounting takes place in five steps, only one of which, the connection, involves the electrical installation:
- Preparation: choose the location and prepare the necessary tools.
- Marking and drilling: mark the fixing points on the wall and drill the holes.
- Fixing: fix the base of the sconce to the wall, using anchors suited to the surface.
- Electrical connection: entrust it to a qualified electrician, who cuts the power before working and connects the wires while respecting the polarities.
- Finishing: attach the sconce to its base then, once the power is restored, check that it works properly.
In a bathroom, installation must also comply with the NF C 15-100 standard and its safety zones: only a model whose IP rating is at least IP44, indicated on the product page, can be considered. As wicker does not tolerate steam and water splashes well, keep it away from the shower, or turn to our bathroom wall sconces, checking the rating of each model.
Care
Clean the sconces regularly with a dry, soft cloth to prevent dust from building up, and run a soft brush through the hollows of the weave, which the cloth cannot reach. Use cleaning products designed for wicker and avoid abrasive products, which scratch the fiber.
Keep the fixture away from radiators and direct sunlight, which dry out and fade wicker. Replace LED bulbs when necessary, and have the electrical connections checked periodically by a qualified electrician.
Integrating wicker wall sconces into your interior decor
Pairing with other decorative elements
Wicker wall sconces go perfectly with wooden furniture, metal accessories and textiles in neutral colors, such as linen or washed cotton. They are ideal for adding a bohemian or Scandinavian touch to your decor, in the spirit of our Scandinavian wall sconces.
To keep the whole consistent, repeat the fiber once or twice in the room, through a basket or a mirror with a woven frame. Above a table, a wicker pendant light echoes the sconce, while an off-white, sage green or terracotta wall brings out the honey tone of the weave.
Examples by room
Each room calls for a different placement: living room wall sconces and dining room sconces mainly create atmosphere, whereas in resting and passage areas, they first meet a practical need.
- Living room: use sconces to frame a sofa or a fireplace, and create a luminous and attractive focal point.
- Dining room: install sconces on each side of a sideboard, for a warm ambient lighting.
- Bedroom: place sconces on each side of the bed, for elegant and functional reading light.
- Hallway: use sconces to light long hallways, bringing style and safety to this space.
At the head of the bed, our bedroom wall sconces are best controlled by a switch within easy reach, and our hallway wall sconces are mounted at regular intervals, so as to set a rhythm along the wall. With these guidelines, you will choose wicker wall sconces that make your interior spaces warm, elegant and functional.
Frequently asked questions about wicker wall sconces
How do you install a wicker wall sconce?
A wicker wall sconce is installed by first fixing its base to the wall, then entrusting the electrical connection to a qualified electrician, who cuts the power before working.
Mark the fixing points, drill the holes and screw in the base then, once the sconce is in place and the power is restored, check that it works properly.
What are the advantages of wicker wall sconces?
They offer a natural and warm look, and give off a soft, subdued light. They are perfect for creating a welcoming atmosphere in every room.
The weave filters the beam and casts delicate shadows on the wall, and wicker, when well maintained, keeps its appearance for a long time.
What size of wicker wall sconce for a room?
A size proportionate to the room: in a large space, choose imposing sconces, and in a small room, more discreet models.
Also take into account the projection of the shade, especially in a hallway or near a door, where a fixture that is too deep gets in the way.
Which bulb for a wicker wall sconce?
An LED bulb, and only that: it gives off little heat, which suits a natural fiber shade. It also stands out for its energy efficiency, its long lifespan and its wide choice of color temperatures.
It gives a clear, steady light, suited to living areas as well as workspaces.
How do you care for a wicker wall sconce?
Dust it regularly with a dry, soft cloth, or with a soft brush that gets between the strands. Use products designed for wicker and avoid abrasive products.
Replace the bulbs if necessary, and have the electrical connections checked periodically by a qualified electrician.
Where to install wicker wall sconces?
In the living room, the dining room, the bedroom and the hallway, where they look their best by bringing style and functionality.
Avoid damp rooms, unless the model is designed for this use: in a bathroom, the NF C 15-100 standard requires respecting the safety zones and a minimum IP44 rating.
What are the best finishes for a wicker wall sconce?
Natural wicker, stained or woven in different ways: these are the most popular finishes. They bring a refined and elegant touch, while keeping a natural and organic look.
The natural finish suits soft atmospheres, whereas wicker stained black asserts the silhouette of the fixture more strongly against a light wall.
How do you integrate wicker sconces into a modern decor?
By pairing them with raw wood furniture, metal accessories and textiles in neutral colors. Use natural colors and textured materials to reinforce the organic spirit of the whole.
In a contemporary interior, a model where wicker is combined with black metal gives a clean result, without a rustic effect.
Wicker or bamboo sconce: what is the difference?
Wicker has a finer texture and is more supple, whereas bamboo gives more structured and more rigid shapes. The former comes from willow shoots, the latter from a hollow, naturally straight stalk.
If you are hesitating, compare with our bamboo wall sconces and our rattan sconces, whose weave closely resembles that of wicker.
Why choose a wicker sconce with integrated LEDs?
For its reduced energy consumption, its long lifespan and its choice of color temperatures. Integrated LEDs also allow slimmer and more elegant designs.
On the other hand, the light source cannot be replaced like a simple bulb: check this point on the product page before choosing.
At what height should a wicker wall sconce be mounted?
Between 1.60 m and 1.80 m from the floor in a living area or a hallway, so that the light source stays above eye level, and between 1.10 m and 1.40 m at the head of a bed, depending on the height of the bed.
The exact position also depends on the wire outlet, whose relocation is a job for a qualified electrician.
Can you install a wicker sconce in a bathroom?
Yes, but only if the model has an IP rating of at least IP44 and if a qualified electrician installs it in compliance with the safety zones defined by the NF C 15-100 standard.
As wicker fears water and steam, place the sconce away from the shower, in a well-ventilated room.