Enhance Your Home with Brass Wall Sconces for Every Budget

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When it comes to interior design, lighting plays a vital role in creating a warm and welcoming ambiance. One popular light fixture that has stood the test of time is the brass wall sconce. With its elegant and timeless appeal, a brass finish brings a touch of sophistication to any space.

Breakfast nook with vertical shiplap, beige cabinets, and natural wood table. — Image: Emma Courtney Home

As I’ve really honed in on my own design aesthetic with my current remodel, I’ve discovered just how much I love this versatile and timeless finish for light fixtures, hardware, and other accents in my home. In this blog post, we will explore the beauty of brass in interior design, delve into the world of sconces, and talk about how to choose and position brass sconces in your home.

The Best Brass Sconces for Every Budget to Achieve a High-End Designer Look in Your Home

Creating a designer look in your home takes time and practice. Adding simple touches like brass sconces with timeless looks will give you a design that lasts for years. Wondering why brass is used in high-end homes and how you can achieve the same look? Keep reading to learn all of my tips with decorating with brass sconces.

Brass in Interior Design

Brass is a metallic alloy made of copper and zinc, and it has been used for centuries in home design. In ancient times, brass was used for making jugs, basins, lamps, artwork, and sculptures due to its malleability. In recent years, brass has made a huge comeback in interior design in a different way.

Gone are the days of shiny, low quality brass doorknobs and cabinet pulls of the 90’s. Today’s brass is more subtle, understated, and just gets better with time. It’s also made with higher quality material and will be in style for years to come.

Bathroom vanity with marble top and brass mirrors above the double sinks.

We replaced our old door knobs with beautiful French antique brass levers in our bathroom remodel. Our bathroom mirrors compliment the mix of antique brass seen in the space.

In interior design, brass is a highly sought-after finish due to its warm, rich tone and ability to add a touch of luxury to any space. Its versatility allows it to be integrated into both traditional and modern interior styles. Read more about using antique brass in your home decor.

Whether it is a vintage-inspired room or a contemporary space, brass finishes can effortlessly elevate the overall aesthetic and provide a warm and inviting feel. If you’re on a budget, consider using my favorite brass paints to makeover a thrifted find!

Looking for a link to something I shared in this post? You’ll find them throughout the post and located at the end.

Double light antique brass sconce in bathroom between two mirrors.

If you’re looking to incorporate this finish into your own home but want to stay on a budget, then start small. Add in brass cabinet hardware to your bathroom or brass sconces in a bedroom. I love the way a brass faucet or light fixture can bring in some much-needed warmth to a space and act as a great focal point. It can instantly liven up a room and make it feel sophisticated.

All About Sconces

A sconce is a type of lighting fixture that is mounted to a wall rather than being suspended from the ceiling. They’ve been around for centuries and may even be the oldest light fixture around. Sconces are an excellent choice for adding both functional and decorative lighting to a room.

Sconces come in a wide range of styles, materials, and sizes, making it easy to find the perfect sconce to suit your home décor. I’ve recently incorporated several sconces into my own home to help add character and I love how they can instantly make a space feel both classy and cozy.

Blue coastal bird wallpaper in bathroom with coral mirror and brass acrylic sconces.

Brass lighting looks beautiful with our blue wallpaper in my daughter’s bathroom. We completed a small makeover in her bathroom until we can renovate the space. Wallpaper is from Jordan Connelly Studio.

Lighting sconces can be used in any room throughout the house to create different effects. I have them in my son’s room, daughter’s bathroom, primary bathroom, and living room. Here are some common areas where sconces are often found:

Living Room: Positioning sconces alongside artwork or mirrors can enhance their visual appeal and create a nice focal point while providing ambient lighting for the room.
Bedroom: Placing sconces on either side of the bed can serve as task lighting for reading or add a soft, relaxing glow to the room. We loved them on the walls in our shared kid’s bedroom.
Hallways: Sconces in hallways not only provide necessary illumination but also add a decorative element to often-neglected spaces.
Bathroom: Installing sconces around the vanity mirror can provide flattering and even lighting – perfect for getting ready.
Dining Room: Sconces can be used to supplement the main overhead lighting in a dining area, creating a more intimate and inviting atmosphere.

Brass lights above windows and art in kitchen with beige tile and blue kitchen cabinets. — Image: Erin Kestenbaum

Blue kitchen with black stove and brass hardware. — Image: Erin Kestenbaum

Be still my heart, this kitchen by Erin Kestenbaum is the blue of my dreams. I love how she pairs unlacquered brass, blue, and neutral tones in the space! The brass sconce above the window is a beautiful touch!

The Right Height and Choosing Sconces

To ensure the optimal positioning and functionality of your sconces, consider the following guidelines:

Height: The height at which you install your sconces will depend on the specific purpose and location. In general, sconces should be placed with the center of the light source at eye level, typically around 60 to 66 inches from the floor or around 30-36 inches above any desk, nightstand, or vanity (similar to most mirror positioning). However, this can be adjusted based on personal preference and the overall height of the wall.
Size and Proportion: When selecting sconces, consider the size and scale of the room. Larger rooms can accommodate larger sconces, while smaller spaces may benefit from more compact options. Additionally, ensure that the style and finish of the sconces align with the existing décor to create a cohesive look, but don’t be afraid to mix metals for an elevated feel.
Lighting Direction: Sconces can provide both upward and downward lighting, or a combination of both. Upward lighting creates a softer, more diffused glow, while downward lighting is more focused and task-oriented. Choose the lighting direction based on the intended purpose and ambiance you desire for the space. Upward lighting may be best for a dining room whereas downward lighting will be most useful in a bathroom or vanity area.

Living room fireplace with shiplap and two sconces flanking frame tv art.

Our living room coffee table was a local purchase and decorated for Easter using Amazon and Walmart favorites. This round woven tray is a steal and perfect for holding decor. Our brass sconces were a splurge but worth it for an upgraded designer look. I love the sconces flanking our frame tv that looks just like art! Read more about my favorite rectangular coffee tables. Need a round coffee table? I have my favorites rounded up here!

Sconces typically have three different parts: the backplate, arm, and shade. The shades, similar to a lampshade, can come in a variety of materials like glass, metal, or fabric. Choose wisely based on where you plan to use the fixture and how much light you want to diffuse. Glass will work best in a bathroom, but a metal or fabric option would be great for a bedroom or hallway.

The backplate simply attaches the fixture to the wall and the arm connects the shade to the backplate. Arms can come in both fixed and movable, or “swing arm,” options. The arm also affects how far the light will protrude from the wall, so be sure to consider that when picking out your perfect sconces.

Blue patterned wallpaper in half bath with brass overhead sconce. — Image: Margaret of York

Brass and glass sconce seen in the colorful Cove Hollow House owned by designer Maggie York. This colorful room featured on the blog Margaret of York is adorned with playful wallpaper and one of my favorites! Even better, this home is for rent on the beautiful 30A coast in Florida.

Favorite Brass Wall Sconces

Shop some of my favorite brass wall sconces below on any budget! You’ll also love this list of over 100 lighting ideas for your home.

See something you like? Sconces can be found here.

Roundup of brass lighting sconces from Amazon Home.

Shop the Amazon sconces here.

Beige kitchen cabinets with brass wall sconce on tile wall.

Breakfast nook with vertical shiplap and neutral kitchen.

This stunning kitchen by Emma Courtney Home looks amazing with cream colored cabinetry, natural wood, and brass lighting. The picture light above the art in the nook is beautifully done, wouldn’t you love to cozy up in that spot with a cup of tea?

Brass Wall Sconces

Whether you’re looking for a way to add instant character and charm to a room or just have an empty looking hallway or wall, consider adding brass wall sconces. They’re an easy way to bring a touch of sophistication and warmth to just about any space and you’ll love these timeless fixtures for years to come.

Brass has made a huge comeback in recent years and I think (and hope!) this design trend is here to stay! What do you think? Are you loving modern brass or would you rather it stay put in the 90’s? Be sure to follow along with my current home renovation over on Instagram and stay tuned for more design tips to come!