8 Different Types of Outdoor Wall Sconces Explained

Choosing the best fixture to match the aesthetics of your building is easy after you have had 8 different types of outdoor wall sconces explained to you.

Outdoor lighting comes in many shapes and styles, and the fixtures can be made from many different materials. When selecting an exterior wall sconce for your building, there are several factors to consider. Outdoor lighting can be used to highlight landscaping, illuminate pathways, or provide security at night. Depending on the location and intended use, your needs for size and brightness will vary.

1.  Contemporary

Contemporary style outdoor sconces feature sleek and clean lines of polished stainless steel or chrome framing clear glass, often called a “carriage light” design. Contemporary styles also include “jelly jar” designs.

2.  Traditional

Traditional style wall sconces have a curved design and are usually made of brass or pewter. The “armed candle” is a popular traditional style sconce. Candle designs generally predate modern electrical standards, but now the wax candle has been replaced with a plastic wired cylinder and “flame-tip” shaped bulb. Because of their delicate structure, candle-arm sconces might not be appropriate for highly exposed outdoor applications such as placement next to the garage door. However, they can be used in more protected areas such as back porches or entry foyers.

3.  Transitional

Transitional sconces fall between the angular contemporary style and the curvaceous traditional style.

4. Mission Style

Mission style sconces feature simple, sharply delineated wood or wrought-iron frames enclosing panels of opaque glass. This style is based off the dark oak furniture of Spanish missions. It was popularized in the early twentieth century by Gustav Stickley, a furniture maker from upstate New York.

5. Rustic

Similar to mission style sconces, rustic sconces have wooden or wrought-iron frames. However, these sconces are also embellished with ornate features. These include glass mosaics or metal sculptures of plants or animals on the frames.

6. Builder

Utility or builder-grade is a generic term used to describe economy sconces that are bulk-ordered by contractors. Builders are generally motivated by budgets and deadlines, leaving aesthetics to the discretion of the ultimate owner. If you bought your home new it may still have builder-grade sconces. These are often designed in a contemporary style.

7. Bulkhead

“Bulkhead” style sconces derive their name from lighting on the walls of boats or airplanes. These sconces are generally either flat and round, flat and square, or rounded half-globes. These sconces are mounted flush to the wall, eschewing the lantern shape of many other sconce styles. Bulkhead style sconces feature a sheet of frosted glass or plastic that may also be covered with metal latticework.

8. Tiffany

Tiffany style sconces get their name from Louis Comfort Tiffany, a designer who worked in stained glass and is associated with the Art Noveau movement. These types of sconces will feature highly ornate multicolored glass mosaics. Before purchasing a sconce of this style, make sure that the glasswork is not too delicate to withstand the weather in your region or the people in your neighborhood.