Why Sconces Deserve a Spot in Every Room
Wall sconces do something no other fixture can. They put light at eye level, cast shadow patterns directly onto the wall surface, and take up zero floor or counter space. In a home with Moroccan lighting, sconces are what tie the whole look together.
We handcraft every sconce from solid brass in our workshop. The pierced patterns throw geometric shadows that shift with the viewing angle — walk down a hallway lit by our sconces and the patterns move with you. That is not something a flush-mount ceiling light or a table lamp can do.
Sconces also serve a practical role. They fill the vertical middle zone of a room that overhead fixtures and floor lamps miss entirely. A room with only overhead light feels flat. Add sconces and the space gains depth.
Mounting Heights by Room
The right height depends on the room and the purpose. These are the measurements we recommend to our customers based on standard US ceiling heights (8–9 feet).
Hallways
Mount the center of the sconce at 60–66 inches from the floor. This puts the light roughly at eye level for an average adult, which maximizes the shadow pattern effect on the walls. In a hallway with 9-foot or higher ceilings, you can go up to 72 inches.
Bathrooms (Flanking a Mirror)
Mount at 60–65 inches to center, which places the sconce roughly at face height. This provides even, flattering light for the mirror. The sconces should be mounted on the wall on either side of the mirror, not above it. Side-mounted sconces eliminate the harsh shadows under the eyes and chin that a single overhead bar light creates.
Bedrooms (Flanking the Bed)
Mount at 48–54 inches from the floor, which puts the light just above shoulder height when you are sitting up in bed. This is low enough for comfortable reading light and high enough that the shadow patterns display on the wall above. Measure from the floor, not from the top of the mattress — mattress heights vary.
Living Rooms (Flanking a Fireplace or Artwork)
Match the sconce center to the vertical center of whatever they are flanking. For a standard fireplace mantel, that usually means 58–64 inches from the floor. For artwork, align with the horizontal center of the piece.
Stairways
Follow the angle of the stairs. Mount each sconce at the same height relative to the stair tread it is closest to — typically 60 inches above the tread. This creates a diagonal line of light that follows the staircase naturally.
Spacing: How Far Apart?
Hallways
Space sconces 6–8 feet apart. In a long hallway, this creates a rhythmic pattern of light and shadow that draws you through the space. Use all the same sconce design for consistency. Alternate sides (left, right, left) or line them up on one wall — both work, but alternating creates more visual interest.
Flanking Pairs
When using sconces as a pair (beside a mirror, bed, or fireplace), the spacing depends on what they are flanking:
- Bathroom mirror: Mount 36–40 inches apart (measuring center to center), or 3–4 inches outside each edge of the mirror
- Bed: Mount 8–12 inches outside each edge of the headboard
- Fireplace: Mount 6–12 inches outside the mantel edges
Single Sconces vs. Pairs
Always use pairs for: Bathrooms (flanking mirrors), bedrooms (flanking the bed), and any feature wall where symmetry matters (fireplace, large artwork, console table).
Singles work for: Hallways (in a series), stairways, small powder rooms with a single sink, reading nooks, and accent lighting for individual wall features.
When in doubt, use pairs. Symmetry reads as intentional. A single sconce on a large wall can look like something is missing on the other side.
Hardwire vs. Plug-In
All E Kenoz sconces are hardwire fixtures. Here is what that means and why it matters.
Hardwire means the sconce connects directly to your home's electrical wiring through a junction box inside the wall. There is no visible cord, no plug, no outlet needed. The wiring is completely concealed behind the wall plate (canopy). This is the standard for permanent light fixtures and gives the cleanest look.
What you need: An existing junction box in the wall at the mounting location, or an electrician to install one. If your home already has sconce boxes (common in hallways, beside bathroom mirrors, and flanking fireplaces), installation is straightforward — you are just swapping the existing fixture.
If you do not have junction boxes: An electrician can add them. This involves running wire through the wall from a switch or existing circuit to the sconce location. It is a standard job that most electricians complete in a few hours per sconce pair.
Our sconces ship with UL-listed wiring and standard US wire colors (black/hot, white/neutral, green/ground) that connect directly to your home wiring.
ADA Compliance
If you are installing sconces in a commercial space, rental property, or anywhere that needs to meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) standards, keep this rule in mind:
Sconces mounted below 80 inches from the floor must not protrude more than 4 inches from the wall. This is to prevent the fixture from becoming an obstacle for people using mobility aids.
Most of our sconces extend 4–6 inches from the wall. If ADA compliance is required and you are mounting below 80 inches, check the specific sconce dimensions before ordering. We list the projection depth on every product page. Alternatively, mount the sconce at 80 inches or higher, where the protrusion limit does not apply.
Room-by-Room Recommendations
Bathroom
A pair of matching sconces flanking the vanity mirror is the single best lighting upgrade for any bathroom. Our brass sconces resist humidity and will not corrode in a bathroom environment. Browse our wall sconce collection.
Bedroom
Sconces beside the bed free up your nightstands completely — no more table lamps competing with books, phones, and water glasses. Pair with a pendant light or chandelier overhead for a layered look.
Hallway
A series of sconces transforms a plain hallway into a gallery. The overlapping shadow patterns create visual depth that overhead lighting cannot match. For longer hallways, combine sconces with a small pendant at each end.
Living Room
Flanking a fireplace, built-in shelving, or large artwork with matching sconces adds structure and warmth to the room. Sconces work best as accent lighting here — pair them with table lamps or a chandelier for full room coverage.
Entryway
A pair of sconces flanking the front door (interior side) or flanking a console table creates an immediate impression. For the exterior, ensure the fixture is rated for covered outdoor use if it is under a porch roof. Browse our full Moroccan lighting collection.
Shop Wall Sconces
See our full collection of handcrafted Moroccan wall sconces. Every piece is made from solid brass, ships with UL-listed wiring, and includes all mounting hardware for standard US installation.
