Art Deco Wall Sconces

Art Deco Wall Sconces: Geometry, Glow and a Touch of Glamour

Art Deco was made for evenings. Born in the 1920s, the style loves symmetry, repeated lines and the kind of lit surface that turns a plain wall into a stage. Art Deco wall sconces carry that spirit: opal globes on curved arms, fluted shades, ribbons of acrylic and spirals that cast graceful shadows.

These are the pieces to choose when you want a wall light to be seen, not hidden. Fifteen designs make up the collection, mostly modern in feel, in glass, iron, brass, resin, acrylic and marble-effect finishes. They are good decorative wall sconces for people who treat sconces as wall decor.

Reading the Style: Five Deco Details

• Symmetry: matched pairs and balanced arms, like the Glass Globe Swan Neck.
• Fluting and ribbing: the Fluted Resin Art Deco design copies the vertical grooves of the era.
• Globes: the Art Deco Opal Globe and Opal Glass Globe Gooseneck glow like pearls.
• Curves and spirals: the Spiral Bedside and Ribbon designs are drawn with a sweep.
• Asymmetry with intent: the Asymmetric Arm gives a modern twist.

If the glamour seems too much, modern wall sconces give a quieter route, and vintage wall sconces a rustic one.

Where to Hang Them for the Biggest Effect

Deco works best on a wall that has something to frame. Flank a round mirror, an arched doorway or a headboard with a matched pair, and the symmetry does the rest. Over a sofa, hang two at 60 to 66 inches from the floor, about 6 to 8 inches wider than the cushion edge on each side. A single sconce in a niche or at the top of the stairs is another way to create a focal point.

Living rooms are the natural home, with 13 of 15 designs listed for them. Hallways come next, with 9, and bedrooms with 8. Our guide on how high to mount wall sconces gives room-by-room heights.

Metals, Glass and Finish

Brass and gold tones are the classic Deco palette. Three of the designs use brass, and you can see more in brass wall sconces and gold finishes. Opal and frosted glass give a milky glow, and a marble-effect cylinder adds a cool contrast. Match the metal on a mirror frame or a cabinet pull for a pulled-together wall.

Black is the other Deco color, used for contrast against cream and gold. For that look, see black wall sconces.

Light Quality: Soft, Warm and Indirect

Deco light is meant to flatter. Choose 2700 to 3000 K so brass looks warm and opal glass looks creamy, and keep brightness modest, around 10 to 20 lumens per square foot in a living room. Six of our designs have an integrated LED, so there is no bulb to change; others take E26, G9 or E12 bulbs. If your sconce sits next to others, check that all the bulbs share the same warmth, which our soft white vs warm white guide helps with.

None of the 15 is listed as dimmable, so dimming the room would come from the main fixture or from a lamp on a separate switch.

Styling Deco Without Overdoing It

The style has a way of taking over, so edit. Pick one standout piece per wall, and let the room around it stay calm. Pair a bold sconce with plain walls, and with a few round or ribbed objects such as a vase or mirror. A pair of sconces also gives you the chance to add symmetry in a room that has none.

For a more relaxed texture, browse boho wall sconces, which sit at the opposite end of the style range.

Installation and Care

All 15 are hardwired. Turn off the breaker, verify that the power is off and attach the fixture to a secure junction box. Hire a licensed electrician to add a new box. The steps for a swap are in how to replace a light fixture safely.

Polished and glass surfaces show fingerprints, so wipe them with a soft, lint-free cloth once the fixture has cooled. Avoid abrasive cleaners on brass finishes and acrylic.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Hanging a single sconce off-center where a pair is expected.
• Mixing many finishes: brass, chrome and black in one small wall.
• Choosing a cool white bulb that flattens opal glass.

FAQ: Art Deco Wall Sconces

What is an Art Deco wall sconce?

An Art Deco wall sconce takes its cues from 1920s and 30s design: symmetry, geometric forms, fluting, globes, ribbons and warm metal accents. It is decorative first, and light second.

What are the signs of Art Deco lighting?

Look for fluted or ribbed shapes, opal globes, spiral or stepped forms, curved arms and brass or gold tones. Our 15 designs use glass, iron, brass, resin, acrylic and marble effects to get there.

How do you use sconces as wall decor?

Treat them like jewelry for the wall. Hang a pair on either side of a mirror, a headboard or an arch, or place one in a niche. When lit or unlit, the shape and the shadow it casts do the decorating.

Which rooms suit Art Deco sconces?

Living rooms lead, with 13 of our 15 designs listed for them, followed by hallways (9) and bedrooms (8). Some also suit stairways and dining rooms.

What bulbs do Art Deco sconces use?

Six have an integrated LED, four take E26, three take G9 and one takes E12. Warm white at 2700 to 3000 K flatters opal glass and brass.

Are Art Deco wall sconces hardwired?

Yes, all 15 are hardwired. Switch off the breaker before you work, and hire a licensed electrician if you need a new junction box.

Explore More Wall Sconces

Deco looks different in each room. Try dining room wall sconces for table glamour, bedroom wall sconces for a bedside pair or the larger wall sconce catalog for every style.

Evening Glamour at Home

Aftensol brings evening light into the home. Choose a design that suits your wall and check each product page for details. Free shipping on every order and 30-day returns.

Keep exploring: glass wall sconces · marble wall sconces · hallway wall sconces