About Wall Lights
Wall lights put light at face height, where ceiling fixtures can't reach: beside a bathroom mirror, along a hallway, next to a bed for reading or over a favorite painting. Most of the work of getting them right is the mounting height, so decide where each light goes before you choose a style.
Types of wall lights
- Wall Sconces For living rooms, bedrooms, hallways and stairs. Hardwired sconces wire into a wall box; plug-in sconces need no hardwiring, just a nearby outlet, which suits renters.
- Bathroom Vanity Lights Bars and multi-light fixtures that mount above or beside the mirror. Side lights at face height give the most even, shadow-free light.
- Picture Lights Slim fixtures that mount above a frame or shelf and wash the art with light.
How to choose wall lights
- Vanity size About three-quarters the width of the mirror, mounted 75" to 80" up. The chart below covers common mirror widths.
- Beside the mirror A sconce on each side at about 60" to 66" gives the most even light for shaving and makeup.
- Sconce height 60" to 66" from the floor in living rooms and halls, so the light sits at or just above eye level.
- Hallways Space sconces about 6 to 10 ft apart; closer in dark halls.
- Bathroom ratings Damp rated is the minimum over a tub or shower. Choose wet rated if shower spray will hit the fixture.
Vanity light size chart
| Mirror width | Vanity light width | Or |
|---|---|---|
| 24" | About 18" | A sconce on each side |
| 30" | About 22" to 24" | A sconce on each side |
| 36" | About 24" to 28" | A sconce on each side |
| 48" | About 36" | A sconce on each side |
| Double vanity | One long bar, or one light over each sink | Sconces flanking each mirror |
Wall light specs explained
- Hardwired or plug-in Hardwired lights 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 rated Built for bathroom humidity. Hanging and cord-connected lights, plug-in sconces included, can't go within 3 ft sideways or 8 ft up from a tub rim or shower threshold.
- CRI How true colors look under the light. For a vanity, choose 90 or higher so skin tones look natural.
- Up or down Down-facing shades light the counter and your face; 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 so no one bumps into it.
Wall light questions
How high should a bathroom vanity light be?
Mount a fixture above the mirror about 75" to 80" from the floor, with the light centered over the sink. If you use sconces on each side of the mirror instead, mount them about 60" to 66" up, at or just above eye level, for the most even light on your face.
How wide should a vanity light be?
About three-quarters the width of the mirror, and never wider than the mirror itself. A 36" mirror takes roughly a 24" to 28" fixture. Over a double vanity, use one long fixture or a separate light over each sink.
Should bathroom lights face up or down?
Over a mirror, shades pointing down put more light on the counter and your face. Shades pointing up bounce light off the ceiling for softer general light. For shaving and makeup, the best light comes from sconces at or just above eye level on both sides of the mirror.
How high should wall sconces be?
Mount most sconces 60" to 66" from the floor, so the light sits at or just above eye level. Beside a bed, mount swing-arm sconces about 48" to 60" up, over the edge of the mattress. In hallways, space them about 6 to 10 ft apart, closer in dark halls.
Do wall sconces need an electrician?
Hardwired sconces connect to a wall box and should be installed by an electrician. Plug-in sconces mount with a few screws and plug into an outlet, with no hardwiring needed, which makes them a good choice for renters and rooms without a wall box. Don't run the cord inside the wall; keep it on the surface or in a cord cover.
What size picture light do I need?
About half to two-thirds the width of the frame for most art. Wide or tall pieces may need a longer light, or two. Mount the light just above the frame and angle it so it washes the canvas without reflecting off the glass.
