Wall sconces: choosing the optimal location and height above the floor

Lighting has a strong influence on the perception of the interior. In many ways, the feeling of coziness and comfort for people in the room depends on the lighting fixtures. Correctly placed lamps transform the interior, demonstrating new facets and rich colors. With their help, you can create a romantic and cozy twilight, highlight functional areas and accents, and illuminate the front hall with bright, festive light.

One of the most popular tools for creating the right atmosphere in a room are wall sconces. With their help, they illuminate individual areas in the rooms and create comfortable corners for relaxation and quiet activities. Wall lamps complement the chosen interior style and play the role of magnificent, sophisticated decor. To get the best possible effect, the products must be installed correctly. Compliance with installation technology and the choice of points at which the devices will be installed are also important. We'll talk about how to hang sconces correctly in this article.

What should be the optimal mounting height for sconces?

Wall lamps such as plates and half plates are considered ideal in this regard.

Lamps for lighting paintings:

Sometimes, to illuminate paintings, not special lighting for paintings is used, but wall sconces. Such sconces should look impressive together with the paintings, illuminate them well and not interfere with viewing them. Paintings are usually hung at eye level. In museums, the standard is 1.5 meters from the center of the painting to the floor. It should be noted that sconces look very good in various compositions with other wall furnishings. Such items may include the above-mentioned paintings, photographs or posters, fireplaces, as well as various design designs. The sconce should be hung so that its top edge is flush with the top of the picture or just below it.

Mirror and sconce mounting height:

The main task of the sconce above the mirror is to illuminate the object in front of the mirror. In addition, the sconce above the mirror should not shine into the eyes of the person standing in front of the mirror. It is recommended to hang a mirror in a bathroom or hallway in such a way that its upper edge (the edge of the mirror surface) is at a distance of 2 meters from the floor or slightly higher. Sconces can be mounted on the sides of the mirror, directly on the mirror or above the mirror. It is necessary to proceed from the fact that the lamps do not shine into a person’s eyes. It is advisable to fix the sconces in such a way that their bulb is located at a height of 1.6-2 meters from the floor. Although the height of the sconce mounting largely depends on their design, their light diffusers (lampshade, shade, open light bulb), and the height of the household.

It is impossible to give a universal answer at what distance from the floor to mount sconces. The mounting height of the sconce depends on the functions assigned to it, on its design, and on the place in the house where it is located. To more accurately determine the mounting points of the sconces, you can attach a small table lamp to the wall and turn it on. Thus, you will be able to evaluate how the wall sconce will illuminate the space around it and how it will look in the interior. We hope that our recommendations will help you determine where to attach the sconces.

Bathroom

As for the bathroom and toilet, here the requirements for the placement of a wall lamp will be more serious, because... in this case, there will be high humidity and the source of water itself - a mixer above the sink, a bathtub, a shower stall. In addition to the fact that you need to take seriously the choice of lamps for the bathroom (they must be waterproof and made of practical materials), you need to choose a safe height to hang the sconces. To illuminate the mirror in the bathroom, we advise you to hang the lamp above the mirror surface itself, which will provide good lighting for shaving, applying makeup and other care procedures. Please note that the distance to the water from the lamp should be at least 60 cm, or even better, 1 meter. If the bathroom is spacious and has a dressing table, you can make local lighting, ensuring the height of the suspension above the table is at least half a meter!

At what height should sconces be placed above the bed?

Where to start arranging lamps in the bedroom? Of course, from the creation of a project for mounted lighting. A carefully thought-out project can give a complete idea of ​​the number of lamps required for a room and how to supply electricity to them. When creating a lighting project, you first need to consider the size of the room. Based on them, you can choose the most suitable height for installing sconces.

For a long time, the physical properties of light have been used by people to create certain effects, including distorting the actual size of an object. Thus, correctly installed sconces can give your bedroom special warmth and comfort, while incorrect placement of light accents can ruin even the most sophisticated room design. The quality of life, the degree of health and the ability to quickly perform a person’s daily actions depend on how correctly the lighting is installed.

To choose the right height for the luminaires, you should consider a number of important points.

The recommended mounting height for sconces is from 1.2 to 1.6 meters from the floor level. However, this indicator is not absolute and may well be violated due to the design features of the bed. It’s easier, in this case, not even to proceed from the distance of the lamp from the floor, but from the distance from the sconce to the pillow lying on the bed. Ideally, it should fall within the range of 1 to 1.2 meters. Installing the lamp at this height will provide enough light in the room to read or watch TV without straining your eyes too much. In the case of attaching sconces near the dressing table, you should follow almost the same rules as for lighting above the bed. The optimal height for the lamp here would be to install it at approximately shoulder level.

In principle, sconces can be installed anywhere in the bedroom - there are no special conditions that require strict adherence to them. Act based on your desires and feelings - your personal visual perception of lighting can guide you better than professional advice.

Hanging

• The ability to emphasize the advantages of interior solutions and hide their shortcomings (if any and if the problem cannot be solved in any other way).
• Small spaces can be visually expanded with a combination of glossy wallpaper and light sources that will be reflected, filling the room.
• The placement height is a symbiosis of ease of use and harmony of the lighting element with the surrounding environment. It is customary to optimally mount them at a height of 1.2-1.6 m above floor level. This makes it possible to control the light while lying in bed. Moreover, it will be quite enough for reading.
• An important component is the uniformity of light distribution. Placing the bed in the far corner requires placing lighting above it. Installing the device in the area of ​​a large mirror will contribute to a more uniform distribution of light.
• A simple and uncomplicated solution for lighting the area by the bed can be to install a lamp on the bedside table or purchase a floor lamp.
• The placement of switches should be accessible and convenient from a lying position.

Where are sconces installed?

Wall sconces can serve several functions. The main function is additional lighting of a separate area in the room. Additional functions can be illumination of any interior item (mirrors, paintings, stairs, etc.), creating comfort, decorating a room, and so on.

Designers recommend placing sconces in the following areas:

• in the bedroom above the bed. This arrangement allows you to get soft, intimate light in the recreation area, as well as additional independent lighting, for example, for reading;
• near the dressing table. In this situation, the sconce largely fulfills its main function and is intended to improve visibility when caring for one’s appearance;

Placement above the bed

• along the corridor, allowing for maximum illumination of each area of ​​the room;
• in the living room in the seating area (above the sofa or above the armchairs) or along the walls to illuminate individual interior items (paintings, family photos, and so on);
• in the hallway near the mirror and/or entrance door, which also implements the main function of the lamp;
• in the bathroom. In this room, sconces are mainly installed near the mirror;

Mirror lighting equipment

in the kitchen. Using separate wall lamps, you can highlight the dining area, work area, bar counter, and so on, as well as highlight paintings or photographs placed on the walls.

Power calculator

incandescent halogen energy-saving LED

Recommended total power of lamps: 0W

In the online lighting store Svetly Site you can buy sconces inexpensively at prices ranging from 600 to 140,687 rubles. Delivery of sconces is carried out in Moscow, Moscow Region, St. Petersburg and Leningrad region. Also, wall lamps published in the online store catalog are brought to other regions of the country.

sconces are important in the interior. Made in an unusual or classic style, llamas brightly highlight certain areas of the room. They use lighting devices for reading and watching TV. They are fixed near the resting place, rocking chair, sofa.

sconces are a huge number of models of devices. This section features 6440. Find sconces with the specific parameters you need for all sorts of purposes. To do this, use filters by parameters:

Can't find the product you need? Try the following links

What kind of lighting do you prefer?

Built-in Chandelier

At what height to hang sconces, mounting options above the bed, sofa and in rooms

Wall lighting with wall reading lamps should be directed downwards. If you need dim light, then LED lamps, directed both up and down, are suitable. Night lights should usually be pointed upward as you don't want any glare on your face.

Expert opinion

Viktor Pavlovich Strebizh, lighting and electrical expert

Any questions ask me, I will help!

However, it has its advantages: with its help, you can hang the lamp close to the ceiling, which allows you to reliably hide the wiring. If there is something you don’t understand, write to me!

Methods for connecting sconces

In order for the operation of lighting devices to be comfortable and safe, you need to correctly connect them to the electrical network. There are several ways to connect the lamp:

1. We pass the wires separately for each lamp with a switch. This method allows you to turn each sconce on and off separately.
2. The second method involves the sequential inclusion of several lighting points in a circuit at once. This will allow you to turn on several lamps using one button.
3. Another option, suitable for large rooms, would be to install two switches for one lamp - in opposite places. This will allow you to activate the lighting device from different points.

Take care of the comfortable use of lighting devices and their safe operation!

Correct installation of the lighting fixture

There are several types of sconces that differ not only in design, but also in the connection method. It is worth considering the installation features in each situation. If you thoroughly study the instructions, you will not have any problems with installation.

Rope and key sconces are connected via hidden wiring to a power source. You need to prepare self-tapping screws for fixing the device, electrical tape for insulation, and a plastic insulator.

The main question that you should decide on immediately is at what height to hang the sconces. Then a certain number of screws are screwed into the wall, which are provided for by the design of the housing.

Next, you should lay the wiring from the box to the device mounting point. Secure the device wires and wiring with electrical tape. The cable itself is laid in a special channel, which serves as an insulator.

If you are not confident in the correct connection and installation of the lighting device, then it is better to contact a specialist.

Sconces in the hallway and on the stairs

How high and at what distance from each other to hang sconces in the hallway depends on what function they perform. If this is a mirror light, you should place them slightly above the top edge. If the lamps are placed on the walls, the optimal height is 180-190 cm. This is if there are no people in the family who are 2 meters tall or higher. In this case, you need to raise it so that the lampshades are at least at the level of your head, but not your shoulders.

On the wall in the hallway, sconces usually hang at a distance of 180-190 cm from the floor

Often in the corridor or hallway sconces are hung as lighting for pictures. In this case, these are wall lamps for illuminating paintings and are hung above the frames - a little higher. On average, this is obtained at a height of 220-230 cm, but greatly depends on the height of the ceilings.

If the house has a staircase to the second floor, it is also often illuminated with wall lamps. They must be positioned so that there is sufficient illumination, but at the same time they do not interfere with movement. If the ceiling height allows, they should be above head level; if not, then at least above shoulder level.

Choosing the height of sconces on the stairs

The number of lamps is chosen so that all steps are well illuminated. To prevent the light from being too bright at night, when planning the wiring, you can connect the sconce to two switches - through one. So that there is enough light, but it is not too bright.

Kitchen

The kitchen space is almost always divided into two independent zones: working and dining. In the workroom, it is preferable to install spotlights - they provide more “convenient” light for performing “kitchen” operations.

In the dining area, it is appropriate to hang one, two or more wall lamps to create high-quality lighting for the dining table. The number of devices will depend on the size of the table, and the optimal height for their placement is 70-80 cm from the table surface.

These recommendations are relevant for furniture sets located along the walls. If the dining area is organized in the central part of the kitchen, it is much more practical to illuminate the table with a chandelier or any other ceiling lamp.

Choosing a lamp style

Single or paired sconces chosen for the bedroom must match the overall style of the interior of this room. Let's consider the features of lamps made in popular and most popular design styles.

Wall lamps, made in a classic style, are distinguished by conservative shapes and materials. Often the shape of the sconce above the bed duplicates the shape of the overhead lamp, or the design of the lamp echoes the motifs of the design of the chandelier. The color of the lampshade or shade and body of a classic style wall lamp often matches the main shades of the interior.

Sconces in the style of minimalism, which is fashionable today, are simplicity and laconicism of form with pronounced elegance and multifunctionality. Wall lamps for a rustic interior should be made from natural materials, their shape is also simple and laconic, and there is a vintage feel. Art Nouveau style sconces are restrained shapes, smooth lines, absence of sharp corners and overly regular patterns.

When choosing the style of a wall lamp, we must not forget about its functionality. It’s good if the sconce can work in different modes and has the ability to adjust the intensity of the light flux.

Sconce ODEON LIGHT Turin G9 1×40 glass

Benefits of using wall lights

Why do both interior designers and those for whom interiors are created love sconces? There are many reasons, and these are:

• versatility of use, large selection and variety of models to suit every taste, both in design and functionality;
• ease of use;
• compact dimensions and light weight, allowing easy installation of sconces in any chosen place, including above the bed;
• high decorative component;
• the ability to save energy by not turning on the multi-lane overhead lamp;
• easy care.

If the bedroom interior has not changed for a long time and is pretty boring, buying a pair of spectacular and stylish sconces will help to refresh it.

Light direction

The installation level mainly affects the overall light intensity. For example, the higher the lamps, the brighter the room will be. Therefore, pay attention to the design features of your sconces. If ceiling lights look upward, then such models are more often used for soft background lighting. They can be installed lower, closer to the lower threshold of the recommended height. And if down, then up. This is already a directional lamp, and it is more suitable for reading or embroidery.

At what height should I place it?

Correctly mounting the sconce on the wall will require taking into account the layout and size of the living space. Only in this case will it be possible to get maximum benefit from the lamps, as well as achieve full functionality of the devices. The installation will be carried out taking into account these mandatory parameters.

• General arrangement of furniture in the bedroom. This point must be taken into account so that the light is scattered to the necessary areas, leaving some parts of the room unlit. This will be difficult to do in a heavily cluttered bedroom.
• You should also take into account the length of daylight hours and access to natural light in the bedroom. After identifying the darkest areas, this is where you should attach the wall sconces.
• Considering the above nuances, do not forget about safety rules, since the wiring and heating effect of the lamps can lead to life-threatening consequences.

The optimal mounting height for sconces is considered to be 1-1.5 meters from the floor, however, such values ​​are not absolute, so depending on the situation, adjustments in one direction or another are allowed. It is worth considering the design of the sleeping place itself and the distance of the night light from the pillow. So, it will be most comfortable if the device is 100-150 centimeters away from her. By hanging the lamp in this way, you will be able to provide good access to light, for example, for reading literature before bed.

A guide to finding the perfect lighting.

1. Purpose of sconce. If the lamp performs primarily a decorative function, the height is determined based on the general style of the room and the specifics of the interior. If the task is only lighting, they are guided by the optimal illumination of a given area of ​​the room (for a living room, according to SNiP, 150 Lux).
2. Type of lamps. Three types are used in residential premises - incandescent, fluorescent (energy-saving), and LED. The first type requires maximum distance from a person due to the large amount of heat generated. The second option heats up much less, but during operation it makes a characteristic noise, crackling or humming. LED designs are completely silent, do not heat up and allow the closest location to the head of the bed.
3. Type of lamps. This point must be taken into account, since the design of the lampshade and the general appearance of the lighting device create different degrees of illumination. Some lamps form a light spot on the wall, preventing rays from entering the room itself. Other types direct the flow of light into the room with virtually no loss.

Types of decorative sconces

As we have already written, the list of designer sconces for the kitchen is the most diverse. Sconces can take almost any shape, but there are several established types by which they are classified.

Geometric figures

Square lamps or sconces in the shape of a ball are one of the simplest, but at the same time popular forms.

Sconces in the form of balls

Square sconces

Depending on their design, they can suit any interior style - from baroque to high-tech.

Tube sconce

They are more often used in kitchens decorated in a modern style. This kind of lighting fixtures look stylish and unusual. They are often made directional, so these sconces are often installed in the kitchen work area - above the cutting panel or stove.

Lampshades in the form of flowers

Sconces in the form of flowers can be quite varied - roses, lilies, daisies. Such lampshades can turn out to be very capricious: the interior for them must be selected carefully, otherwise they may seem like an alien element in your kitchen.

Be especially careful when choosing sconces if they are made in several colors - a complex shape combined with bright colors requires the most neutral background

Features of installation in different rooms

To install sconces correctly, the easiest way is to look at the recommendations for a specific room and follow them. It is better to choose the type of lamp in advance in order to understand how it will distribute the light. The position depends on this, since sconces with diffused shades differ from models with directional light.

How to place it correctly in the bedroom

Placing lamps above the bed in the bedroom is a classic solution that is used most often. But you can choose other options, there are no restrictions, it all depends on what purpose the sconce serves. Remember a few tips:

For your information! When choosing a location, it is worth considering the ease of movement in the bedroom. Therefore, the sconce should be placed so as not to hit your head when getting out of bed and not to bump into it when moving in the dark.

Consider the design of the bedroom; the lamp should match the decor. It is best to choose it after purchasing furniture and finishing finishing work. If there is a chandelier in the room, then it is better to proceed from its style.

Living room

In this room the family gathers together and relaxes in the evenings. Guests are received here and family celebrations are held. To place wall lights correctly, here are a few tips to consider:

In large living rooms, 2-3 sconces are hung on each wall as additional lighting. Lamps are selected to match the chandelier or vice versa, depending on what was purchased first.

Advice! If several sconces are used, it is worth doing general control using the remote control. Then you can not only turn it on and off, but also adjust the brightness of the lighting.

Children's room

When choosing a sconce for a nursery, you should first of all take into account the safety of the equipment in order to eliminate even the slightest chance of electric shock or injury from a fallen lamp. Therefore, you need to follow several recommendations:

Wall lamps for children's rooms have different designs and are selected according to the age and gender of the child. Most often they are made of impact-resistant plastic and other safe materials.

Kitchen

Sconces are rarely used here, especially if the kitchen is small. But in a spacious room you can install wall lamps according to the following recommendations:

Choose a sconce that matches the chandelier and spotlights, if available. When installing above the work area, consider where it is most convenient to place the switch so as not to be distracted when preparing food.

Corridor and stairs

Wall-mounted models are well suited for these rooms. The main thing is to position them correctly to avoid injury and not create interference. It is worth using these tips:

Advice! In the hallway you can use modern switches to turn on the light with a clap, this is convenient.

Ease of inclusion

The type of switch depends on the installation and location of the lamp, but most importantly, it should be such that it can be easily found in the dark and used without getting out of bed. The following devices are used to light lamps:

• cable;
• wrench;
• lever arm;
• button;
• touch mechanism

Modern sconces work with conventional incandescent lamps, halogen counterparts, energy-saving and LED modifications.

Bedroom

The main task of wall lamps in the bedroom is to create soft lighting that does not irritate the eyes and contributes to the most comfortable, complete rest. The optimal height for placing a lighting fixture next to the bed can vary from 120 to 160 cm from the floor level.

The required distance is selected taking into account the following factors:

• Bedside headboard heights: if the headboard has a standard shape and dimensions, then the lamp is usually placed 20-30 cm above it. Above large-sized structures, lamps are raised to the maximum possible height (up to 160 cm from the floor). If this distance is not enough, then the devices weigh just above the edge of the bedside back, and for the convenience of turning them on and off, the lamps are equipped with a special cord. Alternatively, the lighting can also be mounted directly into the headboard.
• User height: when choosing the installation height of the lamps, you need to place them on the wall in such a way that the switch can be easily reached without getting out of bed.
• Design features of lamps: devices with shades “looking” at the floor are mounted higher than those that direct the light flux upward or evenly scatter it in all directions.

When installing sconces above the dressing table, the devices are mounted on both sides of the mirror at the level of its upper third. With this arrangement, the light from the lamps will be enough for both those in bed and those sitting at the table.