Lighting has a strong influence on the perception of the interior. In many ways, the feeling of coziness and comfort for people in the room depends on the lighting fixtures. Correctly placed lamps transform the interior, demonstrating new facets and rich colors. With their help, you can create a romantic and cozy twilight, highlight functional areas and accents, and illuminate the front hall with bright, festive light.
One of the most popular tools for creating the right atmosphere in a room are wall sconces. With their help, they illuminate individual areas in the rooms and create comfortable corners for relaxation and quiet activities. Wall lamps complement the chosen interior style and play the role of magnificent, sophisticated decor. To get the best possible effect, the products must be installed correctly. Compliance with installation technology and the choice of points at which the devices will be installed are also important. We'll talk about how to hang sconces correctly in this article.
Basic safety requirements when installing sconces
Modern sconces are classified according to the method of connection to the electrical network into two main types:
- direct connection to electrical wiring;
- through the outlet and plug on the cord connected to the device.
In the first case, all the wires are “hidden” in the wall or body of the device, which makes operation safer. This option is ideal for a nursery or bathroom, when the presence of hanging wires and open sockets is not welcome. Also, such models have an aesthetic appearance and fit amazingly into the surrounding interior.
Products with a fork are more versatile. To install them, you do not need to leave wiring outlets or drill into the wall in advance; you can connect them anywhere near which there is an outlet. It is easy to move such sconces to another room or to another place when rearranging the furniture in the room. But there is a significant drawback - the stretching cord causes inconvenience and spoils the appearance of the wall. If there are small children or pets in the house, exposed live wires pose a source of danger.
The location and height of installation of electrical appliances are selected individually, based on the specific situation. A variety of factors are taken into account:
- the height of the ceilings and furniture next to which the lamps are installed. These could be dining tables, sofas or beds;
- interior style and wall decoration. So, quite often sconces are included in artistic compositions - drawings, paintings, hung next to mirrors and paintings;
- configuration and layout of the room, for example, the presence of arches, false columns, stairs;
- purpose of the room and arrangement of furniture.
But there are rules based on the sanitary requirements of SanPiN, SP, PUE, and safety precautions that should be followed in any case.
- Key switches for lamps in common rooms and bedrooms for adults are placed at a height of 80-170 cm. For children's rooms where small children live, this standard is 180 cm. This height allows you to protect the baby from contact with wires and electric current.
- It is recommended to install hidden wiring in bathrooms and toilets, which reduces the risk of short circuits due to increased air humidity and water droplets.
- In the kitchen, switches and the lamps themselves are located at a distance of more than 50 cm from the gas pipe, gas stove and flexible hose.
There are also illumination standards, expressed in Lux (1 lumen multiplied by 1 m2 of area) that you need to know about:
- places for work, reading, handicrafts – 300;
- children's – 200;
- bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens – 150;
- corridors, hallways, bathrooms – 50.
When making calculations, it is worth considering that the height of the sconce above the floor affects the area of the illuminated area and the scattering of light rays. The higher the device is mounted, the larger the illuminated area, and the dimmer the light itself.
Styles
If a certain style was used to decorate a modern interior, then choosing lamps to match it is not difficult, just find options with characteristic features:
- classic antique models often have gold-plated or silver-plated fasteners, and the body can be made of crystal. Most often the shape is a lampshade or semicircular cups. They can be decorated with pendants or in the form of candles - the so-called castle option;
- The Art Nouveau style is distinguished by smooth and rounded lines with curves, so sconces are most often round, oval, sometimes in the form of elongated cylinders. The shape of the body may resemble a flower bowl or the design uses floral and plant motifs. It is possible to use stained glass or mosaic decor;
- Marine style is a fairly popular trend. Although it can hardly be called an independent style, in essence, it is the use of various paraphernalia associated with navigation: steering wheels, anchors, ship ropes, silhouettes of brigantines - all this can be used in the decor of sconces;
- Asian design looks unusual. Chinese or Japanese sconces resemble lanterns traditional for these countries. Their body is made of wood, and the walls are made of rice paper, although modern models can be made of different materials. Hieroglyphs, flowers or birds are often drawn on the walls;
- The high-tech or minimalist style is characterized by the use of simple metal cases; there are glass options. The shapes are usually geometric.
Sconce in the kitchen
In the kitchen, sconces are selected in the same style as other lighting fixtures and furniture. They can play the role of accents, or harmoniously complement the interior. Three options are considered the most successful places for installation:
- on the side of the dining table placed against the wall, at a level of 60-70 cm from the tabletop;
- above the worktop, between cabinets or shelves. Retreat from the surface at least 50 cm;
- on the wall next to the sofa or kitchen corner.
Switches are positioned so that they can be easily reached without getting up.
How to install correctly?
After selecting a specific fixture, once the renovation is complete, it’s time to move on to installation. The choice of installation method is influenced by the type of lighting equipment, as well as the manufacturer’s recommendations. Therefore, in the interiors, opportunities are created in advance at the stage of repair work, allowing for easy and quick installation in the future, spending a minimum of time.
If you follow the recommendations of lighting equipment manufacturers, you will be able to do everything correctly. For those who have not previously encountered such work, it is preferable to invite a professional electrician. This is necessary not only for safety, but also for the long service life of each lamp. Electrics requires a certain level of knowledge and experience, which allows not only to correctly plan the wiring, but also to make it durable, and to provide automatic circuit breakers in case of emergency situations.
Sconce in the bedroom
This is a traditional room for installing sconces. As a rule, they are installed in pairs, on either side of the head of the bed, so that it is convenient to read before going to bed or get up at night without disturbing the spouse sleeping next to him. Height – 120-150 cm above the floor, depending on the height of the bed. In addition, lamps can be installed on the side of the dressing table, illuminating the mirror, or next to an armchair or sofa.
Sconce in the living room There are a lot of options for installing additional wall lighting in the living room:
- over the back of the sofa;
- just above the mantelpiece;
- on the sides of the TV;
- next to the armchairs and coffee table in the recreation area;
- above the table, if available.
Height – 1-2 meters, depending on personal preferences and interior.
Types of wall lamps
Modern varieties of sconces attract attention not only with their functionality, but also with the ability to use them as decoration.
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