WALL SCONCES 101

Ah, how I love wall sconces!  A wall sconce is a type of light that is mounted from the wall instead of from the ceiling. It is quite practical as it is a great space saver, with no pesky cords to worry about, and I love the traditional look that a sconce gives on the wall.  Balance is an important part of interior design, and adding sconces to a room can give the perfect finishing touch to a space after all of the pendants and surface mount lighting is selected.  The goal is to evenly light a room. To do this, place the sconces slightly above your direct eye line.

One of my favorite areas for sconces is the bedroom!  I love the look and functionality of having a sconces flanking a bed. For nighttime reading,  you’ll want to make sure the sconces are intentionally placed so that you can read comfortably.  It is important to consider the bed height.  I love to do a variety of lights in the bedroom, from sconces to table lamps to a gorgeous chandelier.  Always put your bedroom lighting on dimmers to create a calming mood.

I also like to add a sconce or two in the entryway as a beautiful decorative and functional element. Make sure these are hung properly.  Generally,  wall sconces are installed between 60”-72” from the finished floor. When it comes to horizontal spacing, sconces are traditionally 6’ apart. But keep in mind that the six-foot rule may not always apply. Placement depends on how long your hallway is and whether there are architectural features to consider.

In the bathroom, sconces can be hung at the vanity or even by the tub, as in the photo below.  When it comes to the bathroom, the more lighting the better!  When installing sconces on either side of the vanity, it’s best to install bathroom sconces between 60”-65” from the floor. The height of the sconce should land around the eye level, preventing unflattering shadows or harsh glares.

Pro tip: If you are renovating it really helps to pick out the fixtures BEFORE you place the junction box. This way you can more accurately decide the proper height and get exactly what you want. Otherwise, you will have to choose a sconce based on the placement of the box.