This post was all about the proper height of wall sconces.
Have you ever wondered about the proper height of wall sconces? Proper placement is tough to nail but makes such an impact when you do. I believe that the lighting in a space can truly make or break a room – both the fixtures you choose as well as the way they are styled. This post will walk you through everything you need to know to about creating the perfect lighting moment.
First – you’re going to want to think about the purpose of the sconce.
Different fixtures and placements serve different purposes throughout the home. Do you have a need for an actual light source or is the sconce more decorative? This will determine the style you go with. I’ll break this down a bit more throughout the post but it something to consider when choosing your fixtures. I recently did a post with a roundup of beautiful sconces for every budget – you can check that out here.
Living Room Sconces
When hanging sconces in the living room, you want the light source to be slightly above your eye line – not too close to the ceiling but also not too low. If you are in the building phase and are planning to instal a junction box, it’s a good idea to choose the style you plan to go with as there can be some variation in the height of the light source depending on the style you pick. Some sconces are flush; whereas others hang down quite a bit so consider this in the planning phase if you are able to.
General guidelines for the height of sconces in the living room, hallway, or entryway
Install the sconce between 60″-72″ from the floor to the light source. If you have high or vaulted ceilings, you’ll want to be towards the top of that range. You don’t want the top of the light to be visible when you are standing in the room and looking at the fixture. I also would not generally recommend using plug-in sconces in any of these spaces as the cords often look a bit awkward (don’t worry, plug in options shine in the bedroom!).
Related Post | 24 Wall Sconces In Canada Under $100
Bedroom Sconces
When choosing sconces for the bedroom, remember that they are generally used as a primary light source in the evenings. Whether they’re used for reading, journaling, getting ready for bed or lounging and watching television, you’ll want to make sure that they provide adequate light.
General guidelines for the height of wall sconces in the bedroom
When installing bedside sconces, the placement should be a few inches higher than your shoulder when sitting in bed. This will usually be between 4-5 ft. from the floor. If there is a major height difference between you and your partner, split the difference between your shoulder height and go with that. You’ll also want the sconces to be installed between 8-10 ft. from each other on the wall; however, make sure that the switch is within reach when you are sitting in bed. One of the purposes of bedside sconces is so you don’t have to get out of bed when you’re ready to turn the lights out.
This post was all about the proper height of wall sconces.
