- Before electricity, mirrors were placed behind wall sconces to intensify their light.Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
If you'd like to fill some empty space on your walls and add some ambient lighting, wall sconces can achieve both effects. Let sconces draw the eye with rich colors, glamorous textures or shapes that accent the rest of your decor. Remember to keep the concept of balance in mind -- splashing colors, textures and shapes in various spots in the room or the area you're decorating. - For sconces that sit flat on the wall, add some wire mesh sconces sculpted into an embellished shape or pattern. Paisley patterns work well when you want to add curves and soft lines to the room. Accent them with some candles that follow the general shape of the sconce. For the paisley sconces, use small, round candles. Place the sconces next to each other or use them on opposite sides of the room to balance it out.
- If you have a small living space and don't have room for a table or floor lamps, use sconce lamps instead. Mount a pair of matching sconces over your bed for his and hers reading lamps. You can also find sconce lamps that have an adjustable neck, like a desk lamp. These work well placed over a tiny work desk or on the wall behind your living room sofa or armchair.
- Add some glamour to your decor with a classic mirrored sconce. Their original use was to reflect and intensify candlelight before the advent of electricity. They're typically shaped like a concave disco ball. Mount mirrored sconces of varying sizes on the wall in a tiny area where you need to fill some space. Place a large sconce in the center, and alternate smaller sconces and round mirrors around it. Use larger sconces on either side of a window or large mirror atop the fireplace mantel. To create the same effect without having to hunt down these classic sconces, use a small wooden sconce, and place a votive candle on top of it. Hang a proportionally sized mirror behind the candle to create the illusion of more space and light when the candle's in use.
- If there's a room you'd like to freshen up with a few accents, take a look around, and look at what shapes and kinds of lines persist. You may have angular furniture, square wall hangings and everything arranged in squares or sharp angles. Break up the shape with some round and curvy sconces. You can do the same thing using color. Make your yellow dining room pop with some red or deep blue sconces. For a money-saving project, grab some sconces from your local thrift store and paint them. Choose a solid color, and experiment with stenciling images and patterns.
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