Vintage Wall Sconces

Vintage Wall Sconces: Aged Character and Warm Filament Glow

Some lights look like they have always been in the house. That is the pull of vintage wall sconces: a gooseneck arm, an Edison cage, a fabric shade or a weathered wood lantern, all giving a room the feel of history. People search for a vintage wall sconce or antique wall sconces when they want that warmth without the hunt through flea markets.

Our collection has 92 designs in this spirit. They are new fixtures, built to look aged, in glass, wood, iron, brass, rattan, fabric and bamboo. Many overlap with industrial, rustic, boho and Scandinavian styles, so there is plenty of room to find a match.

What Gives a Sconce a Vintage Look

Four traits do most of the work. Exposed or filament-style bulbs recall early electric lighting. Metal in dark, aged tones feels worn in. Natural materials such as wood, rope and hemp add texture. And shapes borrowed from the past, such as lanterns, goosenecks and pleated shades, tie it all together.

New to sconces in general? Read what a wall sconce is to see how the types differ before you narrow by style.

Design Families Worth Knowing

• Edison and cage: the Edison Tube Cage and Wood and Black Cage designs, with a visible bulb for a workshop feel.
• Gooseneck: the Antique Iron Gooseneck, with an arm you can aim at a book or a shelf.
• Fabric and shade: the Retro Fabric Shade sconce, with a soft, diffused glow.
• Natural fiber: Bamboo and Hemp Rope, Wood Beam and Hemp Rope and the Woven Bamboo Globe.
• Lantern: the Weathered Wood Lantern, which suits cottage and rustic rooms.

Looking for the metal side of the look? Browse industrial wall sconces. For a rural, cozy angle, see farmhouse wall sconces.

Vintage Brass and Warm Metals

A vintage brass wall sconce is a classic for a reason: warm metal pairs with wood, leather and cream walls, and its color deepens a room at night. Ten pieces in this collection use brass, and you can also see the full range under brass wall sconces. Keep other metals in the room (cabinet pulls, mirror frame) in a similar warm tone.

Choosing Size and Height

Old-style fixtures often look larger than modern ones, so measure the wall before you buy. Center sconces about 60 to 66 inches from the floor, and beside a bed or sofa mount the pair 6 to 8 inches wider than the headboard or arm. Cage and lantern shapes need at least 12 inches of free wall on each side. Our how high to mount wall sconces guide has the room-by-room numbers.

Bulbs: E26, E12 and Integrated LED

Because the bulb is part of the look, this collection leans on sockets. Sixty-six designs take an E26 base, eleven an E12 and ten have an integrated LED. Choose a 2200 to 2700 K filament-style bulb to stay faithful to the old glow. If you are unsure about the base, our E26 vs E12 guide explains the difference. Only one design in the range is listed as dimmable, so read the page for details.

Where They Fit

Bedrooms and living rooms use the most of them, at 66 and 60 designs, with hallways following at 43. Pair a sconce on each side of a bed, flank a fireplace or hang one over a reading chair. Use hemp rope and bamboo designs in a casual room, and iron or brass in a formal one.

Installation and Care

Ninety designs are hardwired and two are plug-in. For hardwired fixtures, turn off the breaker, test the wires and use a secured junction box; call a licensed electrician if you need to add new wiring. Our guide on replacing a light fixture safely walks through a swap.

For care, dust natural fibers with a soft brush and wipe wood and metal with a dry cloth. Let a bare bulb cool before you touch it. Avoid water on fabric and rope.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Using a cool white bulb in a cage, which kills the warm effect.
• Mixing too many vintage details in a room that is otherwise bare.
• Choosing a bare-bulb sconce at eye level where it glares.

FAQ: Vintage Wall Sconces

What is a vintage wall sconce?

A vintage wall sconce is a wall light designed in a retro or period style, such as an Edison tube cage, a gooseneck arm or a fabric shade. Our designs are new fixtures that borrow that look, not secondhand antiques.

What are antique-style wall sconces?

They are new fixtures finished to look aged, with weathered wood, iron in an aged tone or exposed filament bulbs. You get the character of an old light with modern wiring.

Do vintage sconces need special bulbs?

Most of ours take a standard E26 base, and eleven take E12. Warm filament-style bulbs show off the cage and glass nicely. Check the base on each product page, since one design accepts either a clear E26 or a frosted E12.

What is a wall sconce light fixture?

A wall sconce is a fixture fixed to the wall that gives ambient, accent or task light at eye level. Vintage versions add period character without using floor or table space.

Where do vintage wall sconces look best?

Bedrooms, living rooms, hallways and entryways, where the warm, textured materials feel at home. They are also popular beside a mirror, over a reading chair or flanking a fireplace.

Can vintage sconces be plugged in?

Most are hardwired, but two designs are plug-in and need no junction box. Look at the power type on each product page before you choose.

Explore More Styles

Vintage blends well with other looks. For glamour, try Art Deco wall sconces. For woven texture, step into boho wall sconces and rattan and bamboo wall sconces. Prefer clean lines? Modern wall sconces offer a contrast, while vintage pendant lights carry the old-world feel overhead.

Bring Back an Old-World Glow

Aftensol brings evening light into the home, and a vintage sconce does it with a little history. Check each product page for details. Free shipping on every order and 30-day returns.

Keep exploring: wall sconces · wood wall sconces · bedroom lighting