Quick answer: Sconces are light fixtures that mount directly to a wall instead of hanging from the ceiling or standing on a table. Most are hardwired into the wall, sit near eye level (about 60 to 66 inches to the center) and add warm, layered light to hallways, bathrooms, bedrooms and living rooms.
What are sconces, exactly? They are the quiet workhorses of a well lit home: wall mounted fixtures that bring light down to eye level, where people actually live. If you have ever admired a pair of brass lights glowing on either side of a mirror or a single arm lamp beside a bed, you were looking at sconces.
This guide covers what a wall sconce is, the main types, where they work best and how high to mount them.
In this guide
- What are sconces?
- What is a wall sconce?
- What is a sconce light used for?
- Types of wall sconces
- Where to put wall sconces, room by room
- How high should wall sconces be?
- What size wall sconce do you need?
- How to put sconces on wall: hardwired or plug in
- How to hang sconces next to a picture
- Which finish for brass wall sconces?
- Shop brass wall sconces
- Frequently asked questions
What are sconces?
Sconces are decorative light fixtures attached to a wall. The sconce is a very old form of lighting: long before electricity, wall brackets held candles and oil lamps so that a room could be lit without a flame on every table. Today the same idea is wired for electric bulbs, but the purpose has not changed. A sconce puts light on the wall at the height of your eyes and face.
That height is what makes sconces so useful. A sconce fills the middle band of the room, between ceiling light and table lamps. Designers use them to soften shadows, frame a mirror or mark a doorway. Browse our full range of brass wall sconces to see how many shapes the idea can take.
What is a wall sconce?
A wall sconce is a fixture with a backplate that mounts to the wall, an arm or body that holds the socket and usually a shade, glass or open bulb. In everyday speech, "sconce" and "wall sconce" mean the same thing. The word "wall" is simply added for clarity, since a sconce never hangs from the ceiling.
The main difference between a wall sconce and a lamp is how it gets power and where it lives. A lamp plugs into an outlet and can move around. A sconce is mounted in one place and is most often hardwired to a junction box inside the wall and controlled by a wall switch. Swing arm models sit in between: they are fixed to the wall but the arm moves, so they read like a lamp and install like a sconce.
What is a sconce light used for?
A sconce light is used for three jobs: ambient light, task light and accent light. Most rooms need all three. Sconces can handle any of them depending on the shade and the direction of the light.
- Ambient light. Open or upward facing sconces bounce light off the wall and ceiling for a soft, general glow. This is ideal in hallways, stairwells and dining rooms.
- Task light. Sconces beside a bathroom mirror light the face evenly for shaving or makeup. A swing arm sconce beside a bed or reading chair aims light at the page.
- Accent light. A pair of sconces on either side of a fireplace, a console or a piece of art draws the eye and adds depth after dark.
Pair sconces with a ceiling fixture and a lamp or two and the room has light at three heights.
Types of wall sconces
Wall sconces come in a handful of families. Pick the type before the style.
| Type | Where the light goes | Best rooms |
|---|---|---|
| Uplight sconce | Up the wall and onto the ceiling | Hallways, living rooms, dining rooms |
| Downlight sconce | Down the wall, onto the floor or counter | Entries, stairs, kitchens |
| Up and down sconce | Two beams, above and below | Hallways, modern living rooms |
| Shaded or glass sconce | Diffused in every direction | Bathrooms, bedrooms |
| Swing arm sconce | Aimed where you need it | Bedside, reading chairs, desks |
| Candle style sconce | Soft glow from an exposed bulb | Dining rooms, traditional living rooms |
| Picture light | Down onto a painting or shelf | Above art, bookcases |
Within each family, the shade sets the mood. A metal shade like a dome or cone gives a focused beam, while glass, marble or a fabric shade gives an even glow. Our globe and opal glass lighting spreads light softly.
Looking for a sconce you can aim at a book or a nightstand? Our swing arm and adjustable designs move with you.
Shop swing arm sconces →Where to put wall sconces, room by room
Put wall sconces where you need light at eye level: beside mirrors, beds, doorways and along hallways.
Bathroom
The best bathroom light comes from the sides, not just from above. A sconce on each side of the mirror lights the face evenly and avoids the shadows an overhead fixture casts under the eyes. If the wall is too narrow for two, a single vanity light centered above the mirror is the next best choice. Browse bathroom vanity lighting for both layouts. Read our guide to gold vanity lights and brass for finish advice.
Bedroom
Sconces beside the bed free up nightstand space and put light right where you read. Swing arm models are the classic choice because each sleeper can aim their own light. Mount them so the shade sits a little above your shoulder when you sit up in bed. Our bedroom wall sconces include both fixed and adjustable designs.
Hallway and entry
Hallways rarely have room for lamps, so sconces do the heavy lifting. Space them evenly along the wall and choose shapes that do not project too far into a narrow passage. Flush, slim profiles keep the path clear. Find ideas in our entryway and hallway lighting collection.
Living room and dining room
A pair of sconces flanking a fireplace or sideboard adds symmetry and evening warmth. Shop living room lighting for pieces that work in pairs.
How high should wall sconces be?
Most wall sconces look and work best with their center about 60 to 66 inches above the finished floor, close to the eye level of a standing adult. Adjust from there for the room and the ceiling height.
| Placement | Typical height | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway or living room | 60 to 66 in to center | Raise slightly with ceilings over 9 ft |
| Beside a bathroom mirror | 60 to 66 in to center | About 28 to 36 in apart, centered on the sink |
| Above a bathroom mirror | 75 to 80 in from floor | Or about 3 to 4 in above the mirror top |
| Bedside reading sconce | About 48 to 60 in from floor | Shade just above shoulder height when seated |
| Stairway | About 60 to 66 in above each tread line | Keep a consistent line up the stair |
These numbers are starting points rather than strict rules. For a deeper look at every room, including tall ceilings and stairways, read our full guide on how high to hang wall sconces.
What size wall sconce do you need?
A wall sconce should be large enough to read from across the room but small enough to leave breathing space around it. A simple way to judge scale is to cut a paper template the size of the fixture and tape it to the wall before you buy.
- Beside a mirror: choose sconces roughly a third as tall as the mirror so the pair frames it without crowding.
- In a hallway: keep the depth slim in narrow passages and space fixtures about 6 to 8 feet apart for an even rhythm.
- Beside a bed: look for an arm long enough to reach past the edge of the pillow when extended.
- Above a fireplace or console: scale up so the sconces hold their own next to art and mantel objects.
Every Yore sconce is made in solid brass and finished to order in your choice of four finishes. Find the right shape for your wall.
Shop brass wall sconces →How to put sconces on wall: hardwired or plug in
Most wall sconces are hardwired: the fixture connects to an electrical box inside the wall and runs on a wall switch. If a box is already in place, swapping one sconce for another is a common job. If there is no box, a new one needs to be added and wired to a switch, which usually means opening the wall.
Either way, turn off power at the breaker first and work with a licensed electrician if you are not completely comfortable with wiring. Local codes vary. A pro can also confirm that the box is strong enough for the fixture. Plug in sconces with a cord running to an outlet are a renter friendly alternative when opening the wall is not an option.
How to hang sconces next to a picture
To hang sconces next to a picture, place one on each side of the frame, a few inches out from its edges, with the top of each shade roughly level with the top of the frame. That way the light grazes the art without glare and the trio reads as one composition.
If you only want to light the art itself, a picture light mounted above the frame is the better tool. Our brass picture lights, such as the Newburgh Brass Picture Light, wash the canvas from above. Our brass picture light guide covers sizing and placement.
Which finish for brass wall sconces?
Every Yore sconce is made in solid brass and offered in four finishes: unlacquered brass, polished brass, black and chrome. Unlacquered brass is our signature. It has no clear coat, so it slowly darkens into a soft natural patina over the years, which is the easiest way to get a lived in, vintage look.
| Finish | Look | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Unlacquered brass | Warm, develops a natural patina | Traditional and vintage inspired rooms |
| Polished brass | Bright, reflective gold tone | Formal rooms, classic baths |
| Black | Graphic, matte presence | Modern rooms, black and brass schemes |
| Chrome | Cool and crisp | White baths, contemporary spaces |
Love the aged look from day one? Explore our vintage inspired brass lighting and learn how patina forms in what is unlacquered brass. Our guide to every brass finish explains the wider vocabulary you will see while shopping.
Shop brass wall sconces
A few favorites that show how varied a wall sconce can be, from candle style classics to swing arm readers.
Ellery Brass Bell Wall SconceShop now →
Cornelia Pleated Brass Wall SconceShop now →
Putnam Brass Swing Arm Wall LampShop now →
Sullivan Brass Candelabra Wall SconceShop now →
Clinton Brass Wall SconceShop now →
Dean Brass Marble Wall SconceShop now →
Frequently asked questions
What is a sconce light?
A sconce light is any light fixture mounted on a wall. It can hold a candle style bulb, a glass globe or a shade and can point light up, down or both ways.
Do wall sconces need to be hardwired?
Most are, because they connect to a wall box and a switch. Plug in versions with a cord exist, but they need a nearby outlet and a plan for hiding the cord.
How far apart should wall sconces be in a hallway?
A common rule of thumb is about 6 to 8 feet apart, adjusted so the fixtures look evenly spaced between doors.
Are wall sconces still in style?
Yes. Sconces are a staple of layered lighting and brass designs in particular suit both classic and modern rooms. Read more in are brass light fixtures in style.
What bulb should I use in a brass sconce?
A warm white bulb around 2700K to 3000K flatters brass and skin tones. Check the maximum wattage listed for the fixture before you choose.
Keep exploring Yore: Brass Wall Sconces · Bathroom Vanity Lighting · Bedroom Wall Sconces · Swing Arm Sconces and Lamps · How High to Hang Wall Sconces · How to Tell If Brass Is Real
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