The Curation: Plug-in Wall Sconces, Lighting, and Beautiful Space
Hey everyone! This week I've curated some plug-in sconces which are great alternatives to hardwired sconces without having to hire an electrician. I think they work really well as a bedside lamp, and the ones with longer arms are especially great for open areas (like an entry, dining, or living room) as they look like an architectural feature.
Tip: Get a cover for the cord and paint them to blend in the wall, or a metal cover that matches the sconce if you're worried about dangling cords looking messy.
Allegheny Plug-In Sconce, $329, Schoolhouse
Metal Wall Lamp, £60, H&M
Gio Wall Light, $248, Gantri
Leggero Black Pole Plug-in Wall Sconce, $149, CB2
Faye Plug-in Sconce, $171, Mitzi
Arum Swivel Wall Lamp, $405, 2MODERN
Staggered Glass 2-Light Plug-In Sconce, $199, West Elm
Sang Wall Sconce, $259, Mitzi
Curves No.1 Adjustable Wall Sconce, $472, Lumens
Flores Plug-In Wall Sconce Light, $149, Crate&Barrel
Weekly Learnings & Findings
Lighting
If you’ve watched some of my past videos, you’ll know that I always place a huge emphasis on lighting. Unfortunately, it is often an afterthought, leading to poor choices that can ruin what would have otherwise been a well-designed room.
If you feel like a certain room is lacking warmth or a welcoming touch, it can be a good idea to assess the lighting before you start decorating or investing in new furniture. The problem may be as simple as having the wrong lighting rather than the wrong furniture.
So here are a few quick and practical tips to improve lighting in your home.
1. Have multiple light sources
There are four types of lighting used in homes: overhead lighting, ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting. It’s important to use at least two if not all of these lighting types in a room at various places and heights so that light is evenly dispersed. This process is known as layering lighting.
Pretty much every room in a house has overhead lighting and many people make the mistake of solely relying on it as their light source. As the light source is from above, this type of lighting often creates a very unflattering shadow on people and objects in the home if it isn’t used with other lighting types. There are unlimited options for layering lighting such as pendant lights, chandeliers, wall sconces, table lamps, and floor lamps, to name a few.
Combining these lighting types at varying heights and locations throughout a room can elevate a space. It creates a dynamic environment, enhancing colors, textures, and other design elements.
2. Know the difference between direct, indirect, and diffused light
When planning light for a room, it’s important to create a balance between direct and indirect/diffused light. Lamps that provide a directional beam are called direct light, think of a study lamp, or a metal pendant shining down a countertop. Lamps that are bounced off a wall to spread the light are called indirect lighting. Lamps with shade whether it is glass, linen, or paper are referred to as diffused light, the beam of light here is filtered or spread through a shade.
Light sources that are diffused reduce harsh shadows, this has a similar effect to a cloud going in front of the sun. This is beneficial as you can often see details more clearly on a clear but slightly cloudy day, than on days with intense sunlight. In general, I like to have the majority of my light source as diffused and indirect light, with a few direct light sources for functional purposes such as reading or prepping food in the kitchen.
3. Vary the height of different lights
Another important thing to consider is varying the heights of your light sources so they are not all in the same horizontal plane. Except for ceiling lights, it is not unusual to see every lamp in a room set at the same height, but it’s very important to create variety by adjusting some of them up or down.
The goal is to make lighting work collectively and create a system that is adaptable as well as functional, regardless of the activity or time of day.
Here are some examples of lamps you can add at various heights:
Ceiling: Ceiling light, flush mount, spotlight, pendant.
Mid-level: Floor lamps, table lamps on a sideboard or bookshelf, spotlights in a bookcase, picture lights, spotlights directed at walls or artworks, light strips behind walls or furniture, wall sconces.
Floor: Short floor lamps, light strips below counters, lights on staircases
I’d focus mainly on the mid-level if you’re getting started, as this is where a majority of our activity occurs, and most homes will already have ceiling lights, while floor-level lights are not as significant.
4. Light Temperature
Color temperature is a spectrum measured in Kelvin ranging from 1000-10000 Kelvin, going from warm to cool.
2700-3000 Kelvin emits a warm, golden-yellow light. It is the typical color emitted by an incandescent bulb. These are most suited to bedrooms, living rooms, and dining rooms as they create a cozy, inviting, and calm atmosphere.
3000-4000 Kelvin is slightly cooler. It emits a yellowish-white light. These bulbs are most appropriate to be used in bathrooms or kitchens as they create a friendly and bright atmosphere.
Anything between 2700-4000 Kelvin is generally suitable for every room of the house, it just comes down to preference.
4000-5000 Kelvin emits a color that is between white and blue. In terms of home applications, these lights are most suited to being used in the home office or garage.
I’d personally avoid anything above 5000 Kelvin, they’re more suited to commercial applications like hospitals.
One thing to avoid is mixing color temperatures in a single space. If two different colored lights are used in close proximity, the temperature differences are very apparent. It creates an uneasy, disjointed feel in the room and also makes furniture, room decor, and skin tones look off. You might be wondering what to do in an open-plan space where the living and kitchen areas are in the same space. In this case, a compromise should be made by using a single color temperature that you find most comfortable to be in, or, get smart light bulbs where you can change color temperature.
Beautiful Space
A Japanese-Inspired Heritage Home Transformation | Landscape design by Kihara Landscapes, Photo - Tom Ross, Styling - Jess Kneebone | Written by Amelia Barnes | Video tour
Struggling with decorating your home?
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See you in a fortnight!
Reynard Lowell