Everything you need to know about glass wall sconces
Key takeaways:
- A glass wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture whose diffuser is made of clear, frosted, opal, smoked or colored glass.
- Clear glass gives a bright, direct light, while frosted or opal glass softens the light and prevents glare.
- Glass is cleaned with lukewarm water and mild soap, with the sconce switched off and cooled down, and the electrical connection must be carried out by a qualified electrician.
A glass wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture whose diffuser (globe, cup, cylinder or shade) is made of clear, frosted, opal, smoked or colored glass. In a living room, a bedroom or a hallway, these light fixtures bring light and style to your home, and they come in many shapes, colors and materials. Here is an overview of the options available to you, along with advice on choosing the model best suited to your needs.
Why choose a glass wall sconce?
Elegant and efficient lighting
In white, smoked or colored glass, glass wall sconces give a soft, diffused light, ideal for creating a warm atmosphere in the home. Opal glass, with its milky white look, is particularly popular for its ability to soften the light and prevent glare.
Models that combine glass and metal bring a modern, refined touch. Glass does not yellow under the heat of the bulb, so the light keeps its quality over the years.
A versatile design
With designs ranging from Art Deco to minimalism, including industrial style, glass wall sconces fit into any interior: the geometric lines of Art Deco wall sconces sit alongside the clear globes on raw metal of industrial wall sconces.
Colored glass models add a touch of color to a neutral wall, while a decorative sconce can become, on its own, the centerpiece of a room.
Types of glass wall sconces
Clear glass sconces
Often combined with metal (copper, gold, black, silver, or the warm tone of a brass wall sconce), clear glass wall sconces give a bright, direct light. They are perfect in rooms that need plenty of light, such as the kitchen or the office.
Models such as a gold wall sconce or a blue wall sconce also add a touch of color and a distinctive design. Since the bulb remains visible behind the glass, choose a LED filament bulb, which then becomes part of the decor.
Frosted glass sconces
Sconces in frosted glass, with a satin surface, give off a soft, subdued light, ideal in bedrooms and living rooms. This type of glass reduces glare and creates an intimate atmosphere.
Sconces with a frosted glass shade are also very well suited to reading. Opal glass, white throughout, completely hides the source and gives an even halo.
Colored glass sconces
Wall sconces in colored glass, such as tinted glass balls, are perfect for adding color and vitality to a room. They also serve to highlight a specific element of the decor, such as a painting or a niche.
Amber glass warms the light, while smoked glass, gray or brown, subdues it for a relaxation corner. Even more cheerful, our multicolored wall sconces blend several shades, and are better reserved for accent lighting.
| Glass type | Light | Where to install it |
|---|---|---|
| Clear | Bright and direct | Kitchen, office |
| Frosted or opal | Soft, glare-free | Bedroom, living room |
| Smoked | Subdued | Relaxation area |
| Colored | Tinted, decorative | Accent lighting |
How to choose your glass wall sconce?
Take the space into account
The size of the sconce must match that of the room. In a large space, choose large sconces or double-light models, which fill a wide wall better.
In a small space, small sconces or decorative sconces, more discreet, are better suited. Also think about the projection of the fixture: in a narrow passage, a flat model avoids knocks against the glass.
Style and finish
Choose a finish that complements your interior decor. Frames in gold metal, brass, matte black or copper add a touch of sophistication, while smoked or opal glass gives the whole a softer and more elegant dimension.
The simplest approach is to echo a finish already present in the room. Our black wall sconces underline a light wall with a graphic line, whereas unlacquered brass develops a patina over time.
Type of light
Opt for LED bulbs, for their energy efficiency and long lifespan. E27 bulbs, with a large screw base, are common on this type of sconce and easy to replace.
A warm white (2700 to 3000 kelvins) suits the living room and the bedroom, a neutral white (around 4000 kelvins) the kitchen or the office. On a dimmer, check that the bulb is "dimmable". Some of our LED wall sconces have their light source built in.
Installing and maintaining glass wall sconces
Installation guide
Installation takes place in five steps, and the electrical part always falls to a professional:
- Preparation: switch off the power at the circuit breaker and gather the necessary tools.
- Marking and drilling: mark the fixing points on the wall and drill the holes.
- Fixing: fix the sconce's base to the wall.
- Electrical connection: connecting the wires, respecting polarities, must be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
- Finishing: attach the sconce to its base, then restore the power to check that it works properly.
The sconce is generally placed between 1.60 m and 1.80 m above the floor, so that the bulb is not visible from below.
Maintenance
Clean your sconces regularly with a dry, soft cloth to remove dust. Use products designed for glass, with nothing abrasive, to avoid scratches.
Replace a bulb that is dimming or flickering without delay. As for the electrical connections, their periodic inspection falls to a qualified electrician.
Decor ideas with glass wall sconces
In the living room
Frame a sofa or a fireplace with two glass wall sconces, to create a bright and attractive focal point. Symmetry structures the wall and balances the light on either side.
In opal or smoked glass, our living room wall sconces give a lower, softer light in the evening than the ceiling light, conducive to relaxation.
In the dining room
Install sconces on each side of a sideboard, to obtain a warm and welcoming ambient lighting. This side light highlights tableware, a mirror or a painting.
During the meal, our dining room wall sconces take over from the pendant light, which can then be dimmed for a more intimate table.
In the bedroom
Place sconces on each side of the bed, for elegant and functional reading light that frees up the bedside table. Frosted or opal glass lights the page there without dazzling the person sleeping next to you.
Fix our headboard wall sconces about sixty centimeters above the mattress, so that the light falls on the book and not in the eyes.
In the hallway
Use sconces to light long hallways, to which they bring style as much as safety. Placed about every two meters, our hallway wall sconces give rhythm to the passage and eliminate shadowy areas.
From the living room to the hallway, these tips will help you choose and have installed the glass wall sconces that will showcase your decor, while creating a bright and warm atmosphere in every room of the home.
Frequently asked questions about glass wall sconces
How do you install a glass wall sconce?
Installation is done in a few steps, with the power off: mark the fixing points, drill the holes, fix the base to the wall, then connect the wires. This connection must be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
The sconce then just needs to be placed on its base and the power restored, to check that it works properly.
What are the advantages of glass wall sconces?
Glass diffuses light evenly, for a soft and warm atmosphere, with an elegant and modern look. It is also a durable material that is easy to maintain.
It fits many styles, from modern to vintage, thanks to the variety of shapes and colors. Colored, frosted or textured, it can be worked to give distinctive lighting effects.
What size of glass wall sconce for a room?
A size proportionate to the room: imposing sconces in a large space and, in a small room, a compact model that does not crowd the space, such as a single-bulb glass and metal sconce with a clean design.
It must provide enough light without looking massive. A clear or frosted glass shade diffuses the light more evenly, without visually weighing down the room.
Which bulb for a glass wall sconce?
An LED bulb, for its energy efficiency, long lifespan and wide choice of color temperatures. It gives a bright and steady light, ideal in living areas and workspaces.
Check the base, often E27, and the maximum wattage on the product page.
How do you clean a glass wall sconce to keep it shining?
With lukewarm water and mild soap, on a sconce that is switched off and cooled down, with the bulb removed as a precaution. Gently wipe the glass with a soft cloth or a non-abrasive sponge.
On a stubborn stain, a little diluted white vinegar is enough, with no harsh chemical product. Rinse with clean water, then dry with a clean, dry cloth to avoid marks.
Where to install glass wall sconces?
In the living room, the dining room, the bedroom and the hallway: that is where they have the greatest effect, providing both style and functionality.
In a wet room, our bathroom wall sconces are installed according to the NF C 15-100 standard and its safety zones, with an IP44 rating at minimum; outdoors, only a model designed for outdoor use is suitable, with its IP rating shown on the product page.
What are the best finishes for a glass wall sconce?
Clear, frosted, colored or smoked glass: these are the most common finishes, which bring a touch of refinement and elegance, while keeping a modern look.
Clear favors brightness, frosted softness, smoked a subdued light and colored a decorative effect.
Which glass sconce styles for a modern interior?
Models in clear or frosted glass, with a chrome, matte black or brass finish, colored or smoked glass and minimalist designs bring a contemporary and elegant touch. Geometric shapes (spheres, cylinders and cubes) are very popular.
Our modern wall sconces pair with natural wood furniture, metal accessories and neutral-toned textiles, with natural colors and textured materials reinforcing the organic spirit of the whole.
Glass or crystal sconce: what is the difference?
Crystal is a glass enriched with lead, heavier and more brilliant, which refracts light more and lends itself to cut details, more structured and more rigid.
Ordinary glass is lighter, with a finer and more flexible look, and it comes in more finishes: clear, frosted, opal, smoked or colored.
Why choose a glass sconce with integrated LEDs?
For its reduced energy consumption, long lifespan and wide choice of color temperatures. Integrated LEDs also allow slimmer and more elegant designs, with no lamp holder or bulb to fit in.
Since the source cannot be replaced like a bulb, check its color temperature on the product page.
What lighting can you create with colored glass sconces?
It all depends on the tint and transparency of the glass: colored glass gives a soft, warm light, for a welcoming and restful atmosphere, and tinted or smoked glass gives a subdued lighting, ideal in relaxation areas such as the living room or the bedroom.
Multicolored glass sconces add cheerfulness and dynamism, while colored frosted glass gives a diffused and even light, to be used as accent lighting or to highlight a specific area.