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Wall sconces have a unique ability to provide ambiance, elegance, and practical illumination.

Their gentle glow on all four walls of a room can actually make the room feel larger, and when they feature up-ward lighting they can give the illusion of taller ceilings. To take full advantage of the versatility and beauty of wall sconces you need to consider the different types, height placement, and in the space in which you are going to put the fixtures.

There are two different types of electrical wiring for wall sconces. The traditional method is hardwiring , which requires the appropriate electrical box to be at the exact installation location for the sconce. This method usually involves choosing the desired position for the sconces while the home is being built. You can also hire an electrician to do the work in existing homes; however, you will not only have to pay the electrician, but you will often need to patch the drywall and re-paint as well. Pin-up sconces are specifically designed to be an attractive, affordable option for existing homes. Unlike their counterpart, these are designed to be plugged into a common outlet and feature discrete coverings for the wire as it ascends the wall to the fixture. A surprising number of wall sconces are available with pin-up kits.

The proper height for wall sconces in hallways, entries, dining rooms, stairways, and bedrooms is 60 inches (5 feet) off the floor or closest step. If you plan on using a series of sconces they should be 8 to 10 feet apart. When using sconces to accent fireplace mantels, place them at whatever height is the most atheistically pleasing for the room and d¥Ë?cor. If you have especially tall ceilings you may want to use torchiere style sconces which are usually taller than a normal sconce and offer dramatic up-lighting. Consider placing wall sconces on either side of a bed, buffet, or mirror as accent lighting. Installing pin-up sconces is quite simple and can easily be handled by the homeowner, whereas the services of a professional electrician are highly recommended for hardwired fixtures. Please use the appropriate guide when installing your new fixture. Installation Instructions: If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our customer care at 1-800-574-8377 Holtkotter Lighting: http://www.holtkotter.com/ offers instructions for all of their fixtures by model Quoizel Lighting: Visit http://www.quoizel.com/ for installation guides for each of their pieces. -M.Wood