About Wall Sconces
Wall sconces light a room from the wall at about eye level, which makes a space feel warmer than an overhead light alone. Wall sconce lighting works in a bedroom beside the bed, along a hallway or on either side of a fireplace, and a pair of shaded wall sconces for the living room gives a soft glow for a movie night with the ceiling light off. No wall box? Plug-in wall sconces need only an outlet.
Types of wall sconces
- Plug-In Wall Sconces Mount with a few screws and plug into an outlet, with no hardwiring needed. A good fit for renters and rooms without a wall box.
- Hardwired Wall Sconces Connect to a wall box for a clean look with no cord, and usually run from a wall switch; some have a switch on the fixture. They should be installed by an electrician.
- LED Wall Sconces Built-in LEDs typically use less energy than incandescent bulbs, and there's no bulb to change. Slim styles suit narrow halls.
- Swing Arm Wall Sconces An arm swings out to aim light at a book, then folds back against the wall. Beside a bed, one frees up the nightstand.
- Candle Wall Sconces Candle-style sockets for a traditional look in dining rooms, entries and around a mirror. Candle styles often take candelabra (E12) bulbs.
- Multi-Light Wall Sconces Two or more lights on one fixture, for more light from one spot on a wide wall or beside a large mirror.
How to choose wall sconces
- Plug-in or hardwired With a wall box, a hardwired sconce gives the cleanest look. Without one, or in a rental, a plug-in wall lamp needs only a nearby outlet.
- Height About 60" to 66" from the floor to the center of the fixture, so the light sits at or just above eye level. At that height, choose a shade, frosted glass or a diffuser rather than a clear bulb, so the light doesn't glare.
- Living room Sconces for a living room usually go in pairs, flanking a fireplace, a sofa, a mirror or art. Keep them close in color temperature to your lamps and ceiling light. By a fireplace, hang them level with each other and clear of the mantel and its heat.
- Bedside Mount swing arm sconces about 48" to 60" up, a few inches outside the edge of the mattress, so the arm swings in over your book. With two, aim each at its own side's book so it doesn't light the other pillow.
- Hallways Space sconces about 6 to 10 ft apart, closer in dark halls, and choose a fixture that sticks out 4" or less so no one bumps into it.
- Bathrooms Damp rated is the minimum over a tub or shower; choose wet rated where shower spray hits. Near a tub or shower, use a hardwired sconce. Code doesn't allow plug-in (cord-connected) fixtures within 3 ft of a tub or shower, up to 8 ft above the rim. Vanity sconces flank the mirror at about face height.
Wall sconce height chart
| Where | Height from the floor | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | 60" to 66" to center | Use a pair to flank a fireplace, sofa or art |
| Hallway | 60" to 66" to center | About 6 to 10 ft apart; keep the fixture shallow |
| Beside a bed | 48" to 60" | Swing arm sconces a few inches outside the edge of the mattress |
| Beside a bathroom mirror | 60" to 66" to center | One on each side, at about face height |
| Dining room | 60" to 66" to center | Flank a sideboard or a mirror above it |
Wall sconce specs explained
- Hardwired or plug-in Hardwired sconces connect to a wall box. Plug-in sconces have a cord and plug into an outlet; run the cord along the wall or in a cord cover, never inside the wall.
- Damp and wet rated Damp rated handles bathroom humidity. Wet rated handles direct water, like shower spray.
- Integrated LED or socket Integrated LEDs are built in. Sconces with a socket take a standard E26 bulb, a candelabra E12 bulb, or another base such as G9 or GU10. Check the base and the maximum wattage on the listing.
- Up or down Down-facing shades send light down the wall and onto what's below, like a nightstand or a mantel. Up-facing shades bounce soft light off the ceiling.
- Backplate size Check that the backplate covers your wall box, especially when replacing an old fixture.
- Extension How far the fixture sticks out from the wall. Keep it shallow in narrow halls.
Wall sconce questions
How high should wall sconces be?
Mount wall sconces about 60" to 66" from the floor to the center of the fixture, so the light sits at or just above eye level. Beside a bed, mount swing arm sconces about 48" to 60" up, a few inches outside the edge of the mattress. In hallways, space them about 6 to 10 ft apart, closer in dark halls.
What wall sconces work in a living room?
Wall lamps for a living room usually work best in pairs: one on each side of a fireplace, a sofa, a mirror or a large piece of art. Mount them about 60" to 66" up, choose warm light around 2700K or 3000K, and keep them close in color to your table and floor lamps. With dimmable sconces or bulbs and an LED-compatible dimmer, the same sconces go from reading light to a low evening glow. For a plug-in sconce, use a plug-in or in-line dimmer.
What style of wall sconce should I choose?
Match the sconce to the other metal finishes in the room, such as brass, black or brushed nickel. Glass and fabric shades soften the light. Open bulbs and metal shades give a sharper look, but a bare bulb at eye level can glare. For a porch or patio, shop outdoor wall sconces, which are rated for weather.
Do wall sconces need an electrician?
Hardwired wall light fixtures connect to a wall box and should be installed by an electrician. A plug-in sconce mounts with a few screws and plugs into an outlet, with no hardwiring needed.
Can wall sconces go in a bathroom?
Yes, if they're rated for it. Damp rated is the minimum over a tub or shower, and wet rated is the choice where shower spray hits the fixture. Near a tub or shower, use a hardwired sconce. Code doesn't allow plug-in (cord-connected) fixtures within 3 ft of a tub or shower, up to 8 ft above the rim. Beside a mirror, mount a sconce on each side at about face height for even light with fewer shadows on your face.
How far apart should wall sconces be?
In a hallway, about 6 to 10 ft apart, closer in dark halls. Beside a bathroom mirror, about 36" to 40" apart, center to center, with a few inches between the mirror's edge and each sconce. When a pair flanks a fireplace, mirror or bed, center each sconce the same distance from the middle of what it frames, so the pair looks balanced.
