Fresh Take: Sconces and Pendants as Bedside Lights
An Old Space-Saving Solution Gets a Chic Update
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta that I'll describe as "collected."
I got into design via Landscape Architecture, which I studied at the University of Virginia. I've been writing about design online for quite a few years over at Hatch: The Design Public Blog.
Houzz Contributor. Hi There! I currently live in a 1920s cottage in Atlanta... More »
One memory I have of the shack-y cottages my family used to rent on Cape Cod was the wall-mounted reading lamp. Often swing arm, sometimes shaped like a ship's wheel with a kitschy lampshade, they were a good solution when there was no room for a bedside table with a reading lamp atop it. Now this space-saving solution has inspired a chic trend of using ceiling or wall-mounted light fixtures at bedsides. Let's take a look at a range of options.
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| How fabulous are these dangling glowing globes? I love the way they play off the fixture in the center of the room, as well as all the various metal finishes used throughout.
By the way, do you know whose house this is? I'll give you a hint: He's the funniest man on E! — unless you think Chris Franjola is the funniest man on E! (Personally, I think Chris is the second-funniest). |
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| These modern hanging lanterns in long cylindrical shapes draw the eye up, while also adding texture. |
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| Similarly, these hanging paper lanterns are a good match for this Japanese-inspired bedroom and its shoji screens. |
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| This architect utilizes all kinds of visual and physical space-saving tricks, from the white palette to the wall-mounted high headboard. The slender swingarm sconces can be adjusted and add an interesting architectural detail. |
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| Another space-saving detail in this room: adding wall-mounted shelves that serve as nightstands without taking up floor space. |
| These hanging globes draw the eye up, without taking away from the spectacular view. |
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by The Red Jet
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| This metal pendant adds vintage modern style to this room. Because the nightstand is right under the window, a table lamp would have made opening and closing the window and its shade cumbersome. The wall-mounted sconce is a good solution. |
This metal sconce adds vintage modern style as well, especially when paired with this vintage team photograph. Also a good detail to note is the way the molding around the fixture's base was planned for the wall mounting.
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| These adjustable sconces add modern sculptural elements to the wall and stand out because of the black on white. They also allow the designer to use small tulip side tables at the bedside. |
| These sconces are mounted low, just like the bed. This strategy allows the large painting to be the star and blocks as little of it as possible. |
| These small sconces are mounted right into the oversized upholstered headboard, which keeps them from distracting from the clean and simple lines. |
These small reading lights are unobtrusive on the large wood pattern on the wall.
These brass lamps add a bit of metal to the room. The shades can be tilted to provide more light when reading in bed.
by Workshop/apd
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Keeping this nightstand's surface clear gives the room a more streamlined look.
These long white swing arm lamps blend right into the wall, allowing the ornate black chandelier to get the attention it's due.
Where do you fall on the bedroom sconce vs. table lamps debate? Are there other unexpected places where you use sconces around your home? If so, please share with us in the comments section!
More lighting solutions:
A Lesson In Lighting: How To Use Wall Sconces
Get the Lighting Right: 8 Mistakes to Avoid
8 Ways to Design With Light
Where do you fall on the bedroom sconce vs. table lamps debate? Are there other unexpected places where you use sconces around your home? If so, please share with us in the comments section!
More lighting solutions:
A Lesson In Lighting: How To Use Wall Sconces
Get the Lighting Right: 8 Mistakes to Avoid
8 Ways to Design With Light
Ideabook updated on Oct. 25, 2011.
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BTW, you know i just realized for the first time today, that HOUZZ has a section just for products! I felt so "I could'a had a V8-ish"! HOUZZ has everything!
Regarding your question of where else I might use sconces -- I saw a European kitchen that had Fortebraccio adjustable wall sconces above the counter tops since they didn't have upper cabinets. I loved that!!