According to AbouZanat, this depends on the room's existing light fixtures and what mood you're going for. "If you want subtle light that's not too bright, go with a decorative, plain fabric or paper shade," he says. "If your space is already illuminated and you want to add a second layer of accent lighting for a specific ambiance or mood, there are plenty of sconces that provide light onto the wall only." Wall sconces are typically not used as a primary light source in a room. However, AbouZanat says that if you need a little more illumination, look for something with a clear glass shade that filters minimal light.