Wall sconces are the layer most living rooms are missing. A ceiling light lights the floor, a floor lamp lights a chair; a pair of sconces lights the walls themselves, which makes the room feel wider and warmer once the main light is off. This guide covers where to put wall sconces in a living room, how high to mount them, how many you need, and the real sizes of the ten sconces we sell that suit a living room, taken from our product pages in centimetres and inches.
Six places for sconces in a living room
1. Either side of a fireplace or a mirror
A matching pair frames the focal point of the room. The Classic Fabric Wall Sconce (brass or black arm, white fabric shade) is described for exactly this use, and so is the Spanish Marble Alabaster Wall Sconce, whose stone glows from within. The Ribbed Tulip Glass Wall Sconce is shown in the photo above in that position.
2. Above the sofa
Over a sofa, choose a sconce that does not shine into seated eyes. The Pleated Glazed Ceramic Wall Sconce sends light only upward through its open top, and its product page suggests it above a sofa.
3. Beside an armchair, as a reading light
The Walnut & Hammered Copper Wall Sconce, the Mid Century Fabric Drum Wall Sconce and the Knitted Shade Wood Wall Sconce are all suggested beside an armchair or in a reading corner. A sconce frees the side table for a cup and a book.
4. Each side of a console or sideboard
The walnut and copper sconce is suggested as a pair on each side of a console; the Spanish marble sconce above one.
5. On a painting or a shelf
The Adjustable Polished Metal Spotlight Sconce has an adjustable angle and a focused beam, made to be aimed at artwork.
6. In a dark corner, as decor
The Monstera Leaf Wall Lamp reads as wall decor by day; its product page suggests a living room corner. The Two-Tier Plaster Wall Sconce almost disappears into a white wall beside a doorway.
Real sizes of our living room sconces
| Sconce | Size | Depth from wall | Light | Lighting area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Classic Fabric | Shade Ø 17 cm (6.7 in), H 23 cm (9.1 in) | 25 cm (9.8 in) | Up and down through fabric | 3–5 m² |
| Spanish Marble Alabaster | H 50 or 75 × W 20 cm (19.7 or 29.5 × 7.9 in) | 10 cm (3.9 in) | Whole stone glows, dimmable | 5–10 m² |
| Ribbed Tulip Glass | Total H 42 cm (16.5 in), shade 12 cm (4.7 in) | Not stated | Whole tulip glows | Not stated |
| Pleated Glazed Ceramic | W 25 × H 27 cm (9.8 × 10.6 in) | 13 cm (5.1 in) | Up only | 5–10 m² |
| Walnut & Hammered Copper | W 19.7 × H 50.5 cm (7.8 × 19.9 in) | 15.4 cm (6.1 in) | Up and down | 5–10 m² |
| Mid Century Fabric Drum | Not stated | Not stated | Fabric shade glows | 3–5 m² |
| Knitted Shade Wood | H 38 cm (15 in), W 15 cm (5.9 in) | Not stated | Glow through the knit | 3–5 m² |
| Two-Tier Plaster | W 32 × H 13 cm (12.6 × 5.1 in) | Not stated | Up and down | 1–3 m² |
| Adjustable Spotlight | Cone Ø 12.5 cm (4.9 in), H 28 cm (11 in) | Not stated | Focused, adjustable beam | 10–15 m² |
| Monstera Leaf | Leaf 34 × 42 cm (13.4 × 16.5 in), stem 60 cm (23.6 in) | Not stated | Glow behind the leaf | 5–10 m² |
How high to mount a living room sconce
A common guide is to place the centre of a living room sconce at about 150–170 cm (60–67 in) from the floor, roughly eye level when standing. Tall sconces need a check against the ceiling:
- Walnut & Hammered Copper, 50.5 cm tall: centred at 160 cm, it runs from about 135 cm to 185 cm, leaving 55 cm below a 240 cm ceiling for its upward light.
- Spanish Marble, 75 cm version: centred at 160 cm, it runs from about 122 cm to 198 cm. Under a low ceiling, the 50 cm version (135–185 cm) leaves more wall above.
- Beside an armchair: mount lower than the room's other sconces, so the light falls on the page rather than over your head.
How many sconces does a living room need?
Add up the lighting areas printed on the product pages. They are manufacturer ranges, so treat the sums as a rough planning guide.
- 15 m² living room: a pair of Classic Fabric sconces by the fireplace (2 × 3–5 m²) + one Pleated Glazed Ceramic above the sofa (5–10 m²) = 11–20 m².
- 25 m² living room: a pair of Walnut & Hammered Copper sconces either side of a console (2 × 5–10 m²) + an Adjustable Spotlight on a painting (10–15 m²) = 20–35 m².
So what: in most living rooms sconces are the second layer, added to a pendant and a floor lamp. Our living room lighting ideas show how the three layers fit together, and pendant lights vs wall lights compares the two options room by room.
For a period look, see our guide to vintage wall sconces. New to wall lights? Read what is a sconce; for stone sconces, see alabaster and marble lamps.
Two related guides: colored glass lighting sorts our green, amber, pink and blue glass lights by colour, and mid-century wall sconces covers drum, sunburst, tulip and glazed ceramic designs, both with real sizes.
Frequently asked questions
How high should wall sconces be in a living room?
A common guide is about 150–170 cm (60–67 in) from the floor to the centre of the sconce. Check tall models against the ceiling: the 75 cm Spanish Marble sconce centred at 160 cm reaches about 198 cm.
Can wall sconces be the only light in a living room?
In a small room, they can: two Spanish Marble sconces (5–10 m² each) cover 10–20 m² on paper. In a larger room, combine them with a pendant or a floor lamp.
Are your living room sconces dimmable?
Of the ten above, the Spanish Marble Alabaster Wall Sconce is listed as dimmable. The Classic Fabric, Pleated Glazed Ceramic, Mid Century Fabric Drum, Knitted Shade Wood and Monstera Leaf are listed as not dimmable; check each product page for the others.
See all our wall lights, glass wall sconces and travertine and stone lighting.
