Affordable Sconce Lighting (and sconce tour of our home)
The idea to create a roundup of affordable sconce lighting came about after receiving so many requests for the sources of the wall lighting in our home. Sconces are like earrings for a room. They can make a statement, be fun, add sophistication, or simply finish off a space in a beautiful, unique way.
Today, I thought I would give you a tour of all the sconces in our home, so you can see them in action and hopefully gain some inspiration. I'm also sharing a roundup of affordable sconce lighting that includes our current sconces, as well as wall lighting I am considering for future projects.
As much as I love expensive lighting (who doesn't?), I usually can't justify spending over $300ish on one sconce. And when I need more than one, that self-imposed budget gets cut in half. Having said that, I work hard to make selections that fit my budget and my style, as well as my standard of quality. I hope this tour gives you a picture of how you can incorporate affordable sconces into your home for a high-end, personalized look.
1 | Swing Arm Sconce: I chose two of these swing arm sconces for our shared office before it was an office. The plan was to use them over nightstands on either side of a trundle daybed for guest sleeping quarters. But I had a sneaky suspicion this room might change and evolve over the years, so I made sure the sconces would work no matter what the configuration or function of the room was. I love the fact that they swivel side to side, have a pull chain, and offer diffused light with a tapered shade. I added fabric to the shade using my pleated lampshade tutorial, but they're beautiful with the white shade too.
2 | Rattan Sconce: When I was creating our cozy reading nook, I knew I wanted a rattan wall sconce, but it needed to have an on/off switch and be super affordable. This one fit the bill perfectly. It's textural, beautiful, functional, and affordable. What more could you want out of a wall sconce?
3 | Picture Light: These picture lights in our family room aren't technically sconces, but they are wall lighting, so I figured they deserved a spot in this affordable sconce lighting tour. Picture lights are insanely pricey, so finding this cost-effective, character-rich option was not only good for the design, but also great for the budget. I also used this picture light in the dining room but used Rub'n'Buff to change up the color a bit. Needless to say, this is my go-to picture light.
4 | Novelty Sconce: In Noelle's bedroom, I knew I needed to choose something special and unique for her. She's the youngest, and her creativity, imagination, and sense of wonder are all going strong, so my selections in her room are in keeping with that. These ruffle sconces are not only the perfect whimsical touch, but they are incredibly affordable too.
5 | Unique, Handmade Sconce: In our recently-completed cozy café kitchen makeover, these handmade, clay sconces really set the budget-friendly design apart, but also helped us stay within a reasonable budget. They are made by a woman named Lou, who is a master ceramicist and an all around wonderful person. Adding handmade sconces to your home lends a special layer to the space, especially if you have a part in designing them (which I did). It also supports a small business and connects the story of your home with a living, breathing artist. For that reason, these are some of my favorite sconces in our home.
6 | Classic Sconce: I will never stop loving this classic double-arm sconce that I used in the girls' bathroom. It is perhaps my favorite sconce for any space in anyone's home. It's unlacquered brass, the most beautiful shape, and fits into just about any aesthetic.
7 | Vintage Sconces: My number one pick for wall lighting will always be vintage. I used vintage sconces in the powder room and dining room, and just picked up a vintage gilded sconce for our upcoming primary bedroom makeover. Vintage lighting is just so special and adds something you simply cannot get with newer options. Is it always the right choice? Of course not. But incorporating vintage sconces into a home's design is always and will always be a wonderful way to up the charm of any space. And the bonus is that if you don't mind doing a little hunting, vintage sconces can oftentimes be more affordable than new ones!
The powder room sconces came with black shades, but I used my pleated shade tutorial to add a striped fabric to the shade for even more personality.
The dining room sconces originally had a fake brass finish, but I fixed that with a little Rub'n'Buff. There was a bit of a controversy about it over on Instagram.
That's it for the tour of the sconce lighting in our current home, but I have plans for adding so much more. There are just so many options out there, so I find it helpful to curate a collection based on price, style, and function, in order to not get overwhelmed. The next space I'll be tackling is the loft, and I'm so excited to choose the lighting.
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Do you have sconce lighting in your home, or are you planning any projects with sconces involved? Leave me a comment below and tell me which of these affordable sconce lighting options is your favorite!