How to Achieve the Perfect Height for Your Wall Sconces

Why You Should Mount Your Wall Sconces at the Proper Height

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t overthink about the height at which you mount your wall sconces. However, you may not have known that there is a proper height for hanging them? That’s right! And today, we’re going to tell you all about why it matters.

Most rooms can benefit from wall sconces because they add style, functionality, and light. They come in various styles, from sleek and modern to rustic or traditional. The sconce’s height is an essential factor in how well it’ll function as it is meant for task lighting, ambient lighting, or both. According to the American Lighting Association (ALA), you can follow some basic rules when installing them so they will be functional and look good too! Below I’ll share a few critical things to consider when mounting wall sconces.

Make the Living Room the Center of Attention

When it comes to wall sconces, the height you choose can make or break your design. The wrong size will create an awkward focal point in your living room and detract from the space’s overall design. A well-placed wall sconce will bring much attention to it and help complete the look of your fireplace mantel, hallway, or dining table.

To choose an ideal mounting height for your wall sconces, consider several factors, including:

• Eye-level – As a general rule of thumb, eye level is around 5’10”. This means that if you’re taller than this, you should mount them higher up, while shorter individuals may find them too low if they are mounted at eye level. In most cases, though, mounting them at 36″ above floor level works well for most people with average heights (5’10”).
• Depth of room – If there’s not much room between furniture elements within the room, then try mounting them higher on walls so they don’t visually compete with other pieces within the room; otherwise, if there is plenty of space, then feel free to hang them lower down closer towards floor level just above where people’s heads will be when sitting down.

Add Ambiance to the Foyer or Entryway

The foyer or entryway is a space you can use to your advantage. Height, size, and dimension all make it feel cozy and inviting to guests.

When selecting where to hang wall sconces in your house, consider the height of the walls and how far away they are from each other, and any other architectural features. Use these guidelines:

• If there is no molding around your door frame, place the bottom of the light fixture 30 inches above the floor. This will create enough distance so that it won’t block part of what’s going on outside (or behind) you when you open the door!
• For rooms with crown molding around their doors, place your lights at least 36 inches above both sides’ thresholds so they don’t get hit every time someone opens them up… unless something cool happens behind those doors!

Make a Retreat in the Bedroom

Suppose your bedroom is a place where you want to rest and rejuvenate; determining the height of your wall sconces should consider the room’s function. Decide what this room is for before choosing the height. If you’re lucky enough to have a window seat and skylight in your room, that may be ideal for one or two wall sconces. As far as ceiling height goes, if yours measures less than 8 feet tall (2.4 meters), then consider mounting them near the top to illuminate more of your space.

When it comes down to choosing a bedside light fixture for yourself or someone else, you should keep the following factors in mind:

• Will my partner and I both use this light? If so, how many times per day?
• How many people will be using the lights at night while they sleep?

Chase Shadows away in the Bathroom

It would be best to mount your sconce at least 8-12″ above the mirror, sink, and toilet to avoid a shadow. The same goes for the showerhead. If your bathroom has an overhead light that can be raised or lowered, try moving it higher or lower to see if it will cast less of a shadow on you in certain positions. For example, if you’re seated on the toilet with your knees tucked under you—or leaning over to wash your face in the sink—your own body can block some of that light from reaching its intended target.

Increase Safety and Curb Appeal Outdoors

When you’re deciding on the height of your wall sconce, consider these factors:

• The distance from the ground to where you’ll be mounting it
• How far away from other objects or structures (like fences) it should be

A few important considerations to keep in mind

It would help if you mounted your wall sconce at the same height as your eye level or slightly lower.

This is because it’s less distracting to have the light source above you rather than below.

It also means that if you need to look directly into the light source, it will be easier for you to do so if it’s at eye level instead of just above or below.

Conclusion

With wall sconces, all of the above are possible. But where should you mount your sconces? Wall sconces were initially placed high on the wall to bring light to a room that lacked windows. Today, they’re often used to provide accent lighting and create a focal point in the room. The best height for mounting wall sconces depends on the wall space available, how much light you want them to shed, and if you wish to create an illusion of extra height in a small room.