How many wall sconces are too many in a small room?

[Anonymous]

Small living room (about 16X 10) with a sectional along two walls, and a tv on the opposite wall. I've been looking at places to put sconces and have come up with 3 places:

1. Above the sectional, similar to this:


2. on either side of the tv, like this:


3. putting a narrow table along the 4th wall, which is basically the entry to the house, and sconces above it, similar to this:



Obviously these photos are just to show sconce placement, not necessarily the style of sconce I want or furniture I have.

Doing scones in all 3 places in such a small room is overkill. How do I decide which one to do?

[Anonymous]

I don’t understand why anyone would put sconces next to their TV. I like #3 best. And then use floor lamps and side table lamps around sectional.

[Anonymous]

Why use a sconce at all in that setting? Next to the TV makes zero sense; above the couch would be annoying. And the entry area seems unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

I think the sconces above the sectional would be handy and look fine if furniture will stay in the same location.

[Anonymous]

The ones by the TV are awful. I would do the sofa ones and put a lamp on the table.

[Anonymous]

How many? 2.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why use a sconce at all in that setting? Next to the TV makes zero sense; above the couch would be annoying. And the entry area seems unnecessary.

Oh, I disagree. Scones are great in a living room. All the convenience of ceiling lighting but so much nicer/more comfortable. In a small space they are really terrific and much easier to fit in than a floor lamp or big end tables with lamps.

[Anonymous]

2 max

[Anonymous]

Sconces next to a tv make sense if they are on a dimmer. That way you can have very low light but not totally dark while watching tv.

[Anonymous]

2 sconces total (one area)

[Anonymous]

I think typically 1 grouping of sconces is enough. Could be 2 or more (eg, 3 or 4 on a long wall). Maybe you could do one more individual sconce if it were a totally different type (eg, 2 uprights like you posted on a wall and one long arm articulating if task lighting is needed in a tight space). I don’t like the idea of multiple different groupings of the same type of sconce as youve illustrated

[Anonymous]

In the entry is making the most sense, you need to see your stuff but not light up the whole area.

Above the sectional, maybe, if you read there, but if you have art work them get lighting installed that highlights your art, rather than your couch.

Next to the TV is unnecessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In the entry is making the most sense, you need to see your stuff but not light up the whole area.

Above the sectional, maybe, if you read there, but if you have art work them get lighting installed that highlights your art, rather than your couch.

Next to the TV is unnecessary.

Sconces can be great at lighting up the whole area. They’re the main lights in our living room.

[Anonymous]

I think a pair is plenty, better to mix it up. And over the sofa would be best if you're readers.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you doing this yourself or getting an electrician to conceal the wires in drywall? I want to add some sconces to the living room but it seems like such a project and I don't know how to add them nicely myself.