A Guide To Wall Lighting Fixtures

You came home one day tired from a day's work. When you opened the door, you were greeted by this romantic, subdued lighting and a smell of vanilla in the air. You were intrigued, you continued into the living room and on the table you saw a card, you opened it and it said Happy Anniversary! It is from your partner.

Lighting can dramatically affect and influence any given situation. That's why there are different types of lighting fixtures that can help you achieve a mood you want to create. Wall lighting fixtures are an essential part of establishing the mood and creating the ambiance of a room. Sconces, swivel-arms, wall cans and make-up lights are some of the most widely used wall lighting fixtures.

Sconces are wall fixtures that are based upon lighting fixtures that held candles or torches during the days of castles and palaces. Today, sconces come in both traditional and contemporary designs. There are designs which require lampshades; others cast light in all direction, still others cast light either up or down. Usually placed in pairs, sconces flank doors, windows, paintings and even the breast of a fireplace. These can also be placed over a pair of chairs. When doing so, each sconce should be centered directly over the chair. A tall narrow piece of furniture, such as a high boy, a tall secretary desk, or a grand father clock, may be flanked with a pair of sconces. A sconce is usually placed 5'6" from the floor, although it may vary depending on the specific requirement of the job. Low level lighting is usually recommended for this type of wall fixture.

Swivel-Arm wall fixtures are task lamps. These are usually the lamps you see with extended arms which swings about in any direction and provides illumination for specific activities like reading in bed or sitting in a chair, working at a desk or when playing cards at a table.

A wall can light is another type of a wall light fixture which functions as a task light similar to a swivel armed fixture. Previously, table lamps were used as task lights in the bedroom. These provide individual lights for the occupants and were placed on each of the night tables. Today, wall can lights are more often used to provide the same function as the table lamp but at the same time free the tabletops for other accessories like telephones, clocks, radios, TV controls and other paraphernalia.

Make up lights are usually incandescent bulbs outlining a mirror. A highly directional light that casts unpleasant shadows should be avoided when lighting a make-up table, a vanity or a bathroom mirror. A directional light is usually created by a ceiling light with a strong downlight shine. A make-up mirror casts a broad shadowless light. So, when you are renovating your home, don't forget to add some wall fixtures for mood and ambient lighting.

Michael Russell Your Independent guide to Lighting.