An uplight sconce sends its glow toward the ceiling, and the ceiling reflects it back down as soft, indirect light. That bounce makes a room feel taller and calmer, and it keeps bare bulbs out of sight. The designs here are small sculptures in their own right: a flared fixture in solid brass, a raw cement body, a resin lotus flower, a marble base with a glass shade, a flame effect Nordic piece and slim backlit aluminum fixtures for stairs and corridors. They suit living rooms, bedrooms, stairwells and hallways where overhead light feels harsh. The slim aluminum designs are sold singly or in sets of up to ten, so lining a long corridor with matching fixtures is simple.

Getting the most from an uplight

• Leave room above: The ceiling is part of the fixture. Mount the sconce low enough that the glow can spread into a wide fan instead of a tight bright spot.
• Mind the ceiling color: White and pale ceilings bounce light well. Dark or heavily textured ceilings absorb more, so expect a moodier effect.
• Height: Mounting a little above the usual 60 to 66 inches, closer to 6 feet, keeps the open top above eye level so nobody looks down into it.
• Light color: Warm white around 2700K to 3000K gives the ceiling a gentle evening glow, while cooler light reads more like daylight in a modern hallway.

Placement tip: On a stair wall, set uplights at the same height above each landing. The repeated pools of light follow the climb and make the stairs easier to use at night.

Want light both ways? See up and down wall sconces, or browse all wall sconces.