Wall lights beside the bed replace two bedside lamps and free the nightstand. Two questions decide whether they work: how high they hang, and what kind of light they give. This guide covers both.
How high to hang wall sconces next to a bed
For a general wall light in a hallway or living room, a common guideline is to place the centre of the fitting about 150 to 170 cm (60 to 66 in) from the floor, close to eye level. Beside a bed the reference changes, because you look at the light sitting or lying down.
- Sit up in bed as you would to read. The light should sit at about shoulder height or slightly above, so that it lights the page and the bulb is not in your eyes.
- Measure from the mattress, not the floor. A common range is 50 to 75 cm above the top of the mattress.
- Keep the switch within reach. If the sconce has its own switch, you should be able to touch it without getting up.
These are guidelines. Mark the position with tape and sit in bed before drilling.
Where to place them
Mount one sconce on each side of the bed, to the outside of the headboard or just above the nightstand. A pair at the same height keeps the wall balanced, and each person controls their own light.
Which type of wall light for which use
| Use | Type of light | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Reading in bed | A directed beam you can aim | Adjustable Polished Metal Spotlight Sconce: adjustable angle. Aluminium Cone Wall Sconce: shade rotates to face up or down. |
| Soft bedside glow | A shade that glows as a whole | Knitted Shade Wood Wall Sconce: 38 cm high, touch on/off switch. Japanese Kraft Paper Cube Wall Lamp: about 20 × 23 cm. |
| Calm, indirect light | Light sent up the wall | Vintage Shell Glass Sconce: upward glow, 28 cm wide. |
| Small accent | A downward spot | Travertine Wood Cap Wall Sconce: touch on/off switch, suited to about 1 to 3 m². More stone models in our stone lamps guide. |
Prefer a natural material on the wall? Our guide to ceramic and wood wall sconces compares six ceramic, wood and plaster models with their real sizes.
Planning a calm, natural bedroom? Our guide to Japandi lighting for the bedroom and living room pairs pendants and bedside sconces with real sizes. For a vintage bedside, see Art Nouveau lamps, with compact 20 cm stained glass shades.
Check the installation type before ordering
Several wall lights are hardwired: they connect to the wiring in the wall and are controlled by the wall switch or by a switch on the fitting. This is stated on the product page under Installation. A hardwired fitting should be installed by a qualified electrician.
For the basics, read our guide to what a sconce is: the main types by light direction, hardwired or plug-in, and the projection of each of our sconces.
Wall lights are only one layer of the room. Our bedroom lighting ideas combine ceiling pendants, bedside lights and floor lamps, with a table of how much nightstand each bedside light takes.
The same sconces often work in the corridor outside the bedroom. Our hallway and entryway lighting ideas compare their depth from the wall and spacing.
Keeping a table lamp instead? Our guide to bedside lamp height and reading lights applies the same 50 to 75 cm range to table lamps and bedside pendants, with real sizes.
Choosing a wall light? Our guide to wall sconces with shades compares fabric, paper, glass and ceramic shades, and our guide to modern wall sconces covers stone, plaster and crystal designs, both with real sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How high should bedside wall lights be?
A common range is 50 to 75 cm above the top of the mattress, at about shoulder height when you sit up in bed.
How high should a wall sconce be in other rooms?
A common guideline is 150 to 170 cm (60 to 66 in) from the floor to the centre of the fitting.
Can wall lights replace bedside lamps?
Yes. Mounted either side of a bed, a pair replaces two bedside lamps and frees the nightstand.
See all models in our wall lights collection and our glass wall sconces.
