How high to hang wall sconces (in inches, room by room)
Quick answer
A good rule of thumb is to hang wall sconces at about eye level, 60 to 72 inches from the floor to the center of the fixture in living rooms and hallways [1]. By a bathroom mirror, aim for about 60 to 66 inches; beside a bed, 20 to 28 inches above the nightstand; and on stairs, about 60 inches above the tread [1]. Adjust for ceiling height and the size of the sconce.
Getting sconce height right is the difference between a room that glows and one where bulbs glare in your eyes. Here are the common heights in inches, why they work, and how to adjust them.
The general rule: eye level
For most rooms, the center of the sconce should sit roughly at standing eye level, so the shade hides the bulb from people standing and sitting [1][2]. That works out at around 60 to 72 inches in living rooms and hallways.
Room by room
| Room | Height to center | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | 60-72 in from floor [1] | Higher for uplighters and tall ceilings |
| Hallway | 60-72 in | Space evenly along the wall |
| Bathroom vanity | 60-66 in [1] | Either side of the mirror, about 28-36 in apart |
| Bedside | 20-28 in above nightstand [1] | So the light falls on your book |
| Stairs | ~60 in above the tread [1] | Follow the rake of the stair |
| Dining room | 60-66 in | Lower for a candlelit feel |
Adjust for your room
- Tall ceilings (10 ft+): go up to 72 inches or more, and choose larger sconces.
- Low ceilings (8 ft): stay near 60 inches and use uplighters to lift the ceiling.
- Large sconces: measure to the center, not the bottom.
- Accessibility: in public or accessible bathrooms, projection limits may apply [1].
Spacing
For pairs, space sconces evenly either side of the feature they frame. Along a hallway, 6 to 8 feet apart is a common starting point; match the rhythm to doors and pictures.
Southern Living's guide to sconce height [4].
Video: Southern Living, “How To Find the Right Height for Sconces | Southern Living”, via YouTube.
Good to know
Common questions
How high should wall sconces be hung?
About 60-72 inches from the floor to the center in living rooms and hallways.
How high should bathroom sconces be?
About 60-66 inches, at eye level either side of the mirror.
How high should bedside sconces be?
20-28 inches above the top of the nightstand.
How far apart should sconces be?
Evenly either side of a feature; 6-8 feet apart along a hallway is a common start.
Sources
References and further reading
Harvard style. Web pages were checked on the access date shown.
- Lighting New York (n.d.) How high to hang wall sconces? The ultimate guide. Available at: lightingnewyork.com/k/lighting/wall-lights/wall-sconces/h... (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
- Society of Light and Lighting (2018) SLL Lighting Handbook. London: CIBSE.
- National Fire Protection Association (2023) NFPA 70: National Electrical Code. Quincy, MA: NFPA.
- Southern Living (n.d.) How to find the right height for sconces [Video]. YouTube. Available at: www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4VMD3uuVSg (Accessed: 14 November 2026).
How to cite this article
van Locke, J. (2026) ‘How high to hang wall sconces (in inches, room by room)’, The Flare Journal. Flare Studio UK. Available at: https://flarestudio.uk/blogs/journal/how-high-to-hang-wall-sconces (Accessed: 15 November 2026).
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