Lighting is one of the most universally important elements of interior design. It can directly impact how we perceive a space, affecting our mood, productivity, and overall comfortability. Well-designed lighting can make a room feel warm and inviting, spacious and airy, or cozy and intimate. It can also be used to highlight architectural features, artwork, and other decorative elements.

So, when it comes to wall sconce placement in a bathroom, bedroom, or office, there might be more to consider than you initially thought.

“It is critical that wall-mounted fixtures are selected, and the proper mounting height is determined before construction begins. Once drywall goes up, moving the j-box location can be a pricey mistake.”

— Kristen Hennie

Secrets to Perfect Sconce Placement in Every Room

Since lighting plays such a pivotal role in the design of a space, it can’t be an afterthought. Especially during a renovation or new construction, it’s essential to get wall sconce placement and height right the first time to avoid costly repairs in the future.

Luckily, there are some secrets interior designers use to ensure the placement of wall sconces is correct for every room in your house.

Bathroom Sconce Placement

In most bathroom designs, we recommend a combination of wall-mounted fixtures and ceiling fixtures to provide the best lighting possible from every angle.

When hanging sconces left and right of your bathroom mirror, we typically recommend 60”-66” to the center of your fixture above the floor, depending upon your height. This will create an even distribution of light when looking in the mirror.

“Our preference is always to go with sconces on either side of the mirror if space permits within the bathroom. It is an ideal lighting situation as it cancels all your shadows when combined with overhead lighting.”

— Kristen Hennie

However, on wall sconces, the j-box height and the fixture's center are not the same. It is crucial to have all wall-mounted fixtures selected before the project begins so that you can accurately measure where your sconce should go.

When it comes to sconce placement in a bathroom, sometimes walls will not have enough space to accommodate sconces left and right of a vanity. When this happens, we recommend our clients place a singular sconce above the mirror centered directly above the sink. The bottom of the fixture should be between 3-4” above a mirror or 80” above the floor, depending on the mirror.

TOO LOW!

JUST RIGHT!

Kitchen Sconce Placement

Accent lighting can be a great way to add interest and style to a kitchen, especially when used in conjunction with main ceiling fixtures. When considering accent lighting above a window, the ideal placement will depend on the height of the header. Generally speaking, we avoid placing the fixture in a way that hangs over the header. A safer bet for our clients is to center the wall sconce between the ceiling and the header. However, wall sconce placement might need to be adjusted slightly to account for the size and style of the light fixture.

Living Room Sconce Placement

Another great way to add accent lighting to a home is to place wall sconces above a living room or family room fireplace. This is a simple and effective way to create a warm and inviting space to gather. When centering sconces above a fireplace, considering the existing design elements, such as paneling or molding, is important. In the example below, the sconces are centered within the existing paneling, creating a balanced and harmonious look.

For inspiration, below is another example of sconce placement above a fireplace at the standard 5’-6’ height above the floor.

Theater Room Sconce Placement

When determining sconce height and placement within a home theater or any similar high-traffic area, the 60”-66” above the floor to the center of your fixture rule still applies. However, selecting an ADA-compliant sconce is essential, meaning it projects out at a maximum of 4” deep. This will ensure no one accidentally hits their head while walking past, especially if the room is otherwise dark.

On a practical level, lighting is essential for improving the functionality of a space, but when done well, lighting can be used to create different ambiances, depending on the situation. We encourage all of our clients to consider lighting during a renovation so that the builders or contractors can ensure lighting is used in a functional and aesthetically pleasing way.

If you're overwhelmed by choosing lighting for your new home or renovation, schedule a consultation with Ducy Design. We will walk you through the entire process, from choosing the right sconce to ensuring it is hung at the proper height and location in your space.

Wall Sconce Height and Placement: Everything You Need to Know