Proper lighting is an important part of your home's comfort. During the night and gloomy days, your rooms should have enough light for you to comfortably make your way around and complete any tasks.

Sconces have long served as a way to bring light to a home's interior. In the days before electricity, they consisted of a wall bracket with a candle holder and a receptacle to catch dripping wax. Now you can get sconce lighting that incorporates electric bulbs or connects directly to a home's wiring.

There are many decorative styles for sconces, so you can find one to meet any room's style. Wright Lighting and Fireside, a business in San Jose, California, says sconces are particularly fitting in rooms that feature antique furniture or an old-fashioned theme. However, you can also find more modern styles as well.

Sconces can be used to light up a large section of a room. Erica Spangler, writing for the home improvement site Build.com, says sconces known as wall washers will provide even lighting in a room. Wallchiere sconces offer plenty of decorative elements, and certain sconces are designed to emulate lanterns.

Some sconce lights will shine directly on an item of interest, such as a painting or sign. Other designs mount a light on a swivel arm, allowing you to move it around to illuminate different parts of a counter, desk, or other surface.

One benefit of sconce lighting is its ability to free up space in a home. Marc Dickinson, writing for the home improvement site HomeAdvisor, says the wall-mounted lights can take the place of floor or table lamps.

These lights can also help improve your home's energy efficiency. Wright Lighting and Fireside says they can provide enough light to a room without using the primary lighting. Hallways can often be lit with sconces, allowing you to use them instead of overhead lighting to make your way to a room.

Sean Murphy, also writing for Build.com, says sconces should be placed about five feet above the floor to be the most effective. Each sconce light should be separated by six feet.

Check to see whether the sconce will need any extra support. Kathy Adams, writing for SFGate, says lighter models can simply be mounted on the wall. Heavier sconces should be secured with wall anchors.

Murphy says sconces are also useful for illuminating the darker corners or a room or providing a soft, ambient light. In foyers or entryways, sconce lights provide an interesting feature to welcome guests.

In addition to interior lighting, sconces can also be used outdoors to flank a doorway. This feature will add some curb appeal to your property and boost your sense of security by shedding more light on your home's exterior. When you purchase a sconce light to be used outside, make sure it is rated to withstand elements such as rain, wind, and snow.

If you'd like a truly old world sconce in your home, consider one that uses candles. This feature will add some light and ambience by letting you burn a taper or other candle on the wall-mounted sconce. Some can hold several candles at once.

Adams says the sconce may include a glass enclosure as an added safety measure. The glass will also reduce the chance that a wall will be stained by soot when you burn the candle. If you prefer a sconce with an exposed candle, make sure it is located far enough away from the wall or any flammable materials that it won't pose a fire hazard.