Wall Sconces

{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"heading","level":2,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"How to choose wall sconces"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Start with mounting height, because it decides everything else. A general-purpose sconce is centered 60 to 66 inches above the floor. At that height an open-top fixture will show its bulb to anyone standing, so pick a shaded or diffused design unless the sconce is deliberately meant to be seen. Reading sconces beside a bed sit lower, at 44 to 54 inches, so the light lands on the page rather than on the ceiling."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Then check the projection, which is how far the fixture stands out from the wall. In a corridor or beside a door, anything over about 4 inches becomes something people catch a shoulder on. Wide, shallow sconces solve that; deep, sculptural ones belong on an open wall."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Last, sort out the wiring and the light. Hardwired sconces need a wall box at the exact mounting height, so mark the position before the drywall goes up if you can. Plug-in versions avoid that entirely. Use 2700K to 3000K, and put the sconces on a dimmer if they are the only evening light in the room."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"Placement"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Standard height: center of the fixture 60 to 66 inches above the finished floor."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Either side of a mirror or a bed: 36 to 40 inches apart, symmetrical about the center line."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Along a wall or corridor: 8 to 10 feet apart, and at least 18 inches in from an inside corner. Reading sconces beside a bed go at 44 to 54 inches, measured from the floor to the center of the shade."}]},{"type":"heading","level":3,"children":[{"type":"text","value":"FAQ"}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"How high should sconces be mounted?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"60 to 66 inches to the center of the fixture for general use. Lower them to 44 to 54 inches when the sconce is there for reading in bed."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Should sconces point up or down?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Uplights soften a room and hide the source. Downlights are better where you need light on a specific surface, such as a stair tread or a bedside book."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Can sconces be used in a bathroom?","bold":true}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Yes, provided the fixture is damp-rated and mounted clear of the shower or tub zone."}]}]}