Features of the location of the sconce - at what height is it better to place

Wall lamps are widely used in all residential areas, as they allow you to illuminate a separate part of the space and provide comfortable conditions for work and leisure. Sconces are used to illuminate paintings, sculptures and other elements, if necessary. There are different types of equipment. It is worth choosing a specific one based on the location and features of use.

The sconce over the bed is a classic solution.

At what height to hang

The installation height of the sconce depends on where the lamp is located and for what purpose it is used. There are no rigid frameworks in the regulatory documents, there are recommendations that should be used to choose the height and not redo the work later. Several recommendations need to be taken into account:

1. For lamps placed near furniture on which a person is lying or sitting, choose a height in the range from 100 to 150 cm. This will provide comfortable conditions for reading or needlework.
2. Where the sconce serves to illuminate a large area or is used as the main light source, it is better to place it at a height of 2 meters if the ceiling is high and 1.8 m if it is low.
3. If the backlight of a picture or other object is mounted, the height should be selected according to the fact. Keep in mind that the luminous flux must be distributed in a certain way, so it is better to pre-connect the lamp and choose the best position.

Illumination of paintings with wall lamps.

Important! The sconce is not suitable for niches, it is better to put spotlights there. Also, this option can interfere with movement in narrow spaces.

General requirements and location rules

When installing, you should be guided by the safety rules for working with electrical appliances. If there is no experience in working with an electrician, it is better to entrust it to a specialist. There are some features that you need to remember when choosing a place for a sconce:

1. Choose one of two ways to connect to the network. Direct switching is safer and more convenient, but for it you must first lay the wiring and install the switch in a convenient place, often the switch is placed on the sconce body. Plugging in is easier. You do not need to cook anything, the main thing is that the food is nearby, the length of the cord in the lamps is usually no more than one and a half meters.
2. If a cord with a plug is used, the rocker switch must be positioned 80 to 170 cm above the floor. Pick up so that you can turn off the light without getting up.In children's rooms, it is worth placing the switch higher so that the child cannot play around with it.
3. Wiring with a direct connection can be done both hidden and open, there is not much difference. The exception is bathrooms and rooms with high humidity, where it is better to lay hidden wiring.
4. From the switch to the gas pipeline should not be less than 50 cm.

In the bathroom they put models with moisture protection.

It is also necessary to take into account the illumination standards, which are prescribed in SanPiN 2.2.1 / 2.1.1.1278-03. In accordance with the document, it is necessary to provide the following indicators of illumination per square meter:

1. 400-500 Lx in areas where you need to strain your eyes: read, craft, do needlework, etc.
2. 300 lx for places where you have to occasionally look at something or do work that requires moderate eye strain.
3. 200 Lx in play areas, children's rooms and other places that are intended for a child.
4. 150 Lx for kitchens and living spaces.
5. 50 lx is enough in a bathroom, corridor or hallway.

Note! Illumination depends not only on the power of the sconce, but also on the height of the location.

Determine in advance bulb typeto be installed. It is better to abandon traditional incandescent lamps and choose fluorescent, halogen or LED. The latter option consumes the least electricity and lasts an average of 5,000 hours, so you should choose it.

Stylish sconce with LED lamp.

Features of installation in different rooms

To properly install the sconce, the easiest way is to disassemble the recommendations for a particular room and follow them. It is better to choose the type of lamp in advance in order to understand how it will distribute light.The position depends on this, since sconces with diffusing shades differ from models with directional light.

Modern design

How to place in the bedroom

Placing lamps above the bed in the bedroom is a classic solution that is used most often. But you can choose other options, there are no restrictions, it all depends on the purpose for which the sconce is used. Remember a few tips:

1. A suitable installation height near the bed is from 120 to 160 cm. The exact value should be selected based on the characteristics of the furniture and the purpose of use.
2. If the bedroom has a dressing table, you can place lamps on one or both sides. It is important that the light falls on the space in front of the mirror and illuminates the face when applying makeup.
3. When the bedroom has a work or craft table, a wall sconce is suitable for countertop lighting. Choose a model that illuminates the small space below you well.
4. Give preference to models with soft, diffused light and LED lamps. If the luminaire is connected to the network, consider the location of the outlet.

Sconce is the perfect solution for the bedroom.

Note! When choosing a place, it is worth considering the convenience of moving in the bedroom. Therefore, the sconce should be placed so as not to hit your head when getting out of bed and not to stumble when moving in the dark.

Consider the design of the bedroom, the lamp should be combined with the decor. It is best to choose it after buying furniture and finishing work. If there is a chandelier in the room, then it is better to proceed from its style.

Living room

In this room, the family gathers together, rests in the evenings. Here they receive guests and arrange family celebrations.To place wall lamps correctly, it is worth considering a few tips:

1. Often sconces are hung near soft chairs or a sofa. This is an area in which people sit with a book or gadget and spend a lot of time. Make the height no more than 150 cm so that the light does not scatter much.
2. Lamps are used to highlight individual elements of the situation, highlight paintings, sculptures or home collections. In this case, select the height according to the situation, there are no clear requirements and recommendations.
3. If the living room has a real or fake fireplace, sconces on both sides will make it stand out and add charm to the room. Classic lamps are suitable here, and if the fireplace is made in a modern style, then choose a model for it, all elements must be combined.
4. You can highlight the countertop if there is a game table in the living room or a place for needlework is equipped. In this case, a diffuser with directional light is suitable to relieve eye strain and provide a comfortable environment.

Sconce and chandelier in the living room, made in the same style.

In large living rooms, 2-3 sconces are hung on each wall as additional lighting. Lamps are selected under the chandelier or vice versa, depending on what was bought first.

Advice! If several sconces are used, it is worth making general control using the remote control. Then you can not only turn it on and off, but also adjust the brightness of the lighting.

Children's room

When choosing a sconce for a nursery, first of all, it is worth considering the safety of the equipment in order to exclude even the slightest chance of electric shock or injury from a fallen lamp. Therefore, several recommendations must be followed:

1. Choose a height so that a small child cannot reach.It is dangerous both by burns from a heated bulb and by a fall.
2. The switch should also be placed out of reach of the child. Therefore, it makes sense to choose models with a button on the case.
3. It is better to use a sconce with diffused light so that the light bulb does not blind the child and provides soft lighting for the play area.
4. You can choose the option as a night light, in which case the light should be dimmed.
5. For older children, a sconce is suitable for lighting the desktop and seating area, if there is a sofa in the nursery.

The original night light in the nursery.

Wall lamps for children's rooms have a different design and are selected according to the age and gender of the child. Most often they are made of impact-resistant plastic and other safe materials.

Read also

Design of modern floor lamps - unusual options

 

Kitchen

Sconces are rarely used here, especially if the size of the kitchen is small. But in a spacious room, you can install wall lights according to the following recommendations:

1. If the dining area is in a corner or against a wall, install 1-2 sconces above the table. Place at such a height that people do not cling to their heads, or half a meter above the tabletop.
2. When placed above the work area, choose waterproof models, the shades of which are easy to clean. The light should be directional, not diffused.
3. It is more convenient to use lamps with a separate switch.

Wall lamp above the dining area.

Choose a sconce that matches the chandelier and spotlights, if any. When installing above the work area, think about where it is most convenient to make a switch so as not to be distracted while cooking.

Corridor and stairs

Wall models are well suited for these rooms.The main thing is to correctly position them in order to exclude injuries and not create interference. It is worth using these tips:

1. For stairs, sconces with soft, subdued light are suitable, the light should not hit the eyes. If there is not enough lighting, it is better to put additional lamps, rather than using bulbs of greater brightness.
2. When installing above flights of stairs, select the height so as not to interfere with people who go up and down.
3. In a narrow hallway or corridor, sconces can be the main source of light. The amount depends on the length of the room, it is better to put it at a height of 2 meters and above, so as not to bang your head.

Compact sconces for stairs.

Advice! In the hallway, you can use modern switches to turn on the light with cotton, which is convenient.

Sconce installation height depending on the functional purpose

To choose a place for arranging wall lamps, it is worthwhile to determine in advance for what purposes they will be used and what height is more suitable.

Above the bedside table

If there is one or two bedside tables in the bedroom near the bed, sconces are often hung over them to illuminate a small area without turning on the main light. The height of the location should be from 120 to 160 cm, depending on what area you need to cover. If this is the surface of a bedside table, it should be placed lower, and if you need to capture part of the bed, which is convenient when reading, then higher.

A small model with soft diffused light will do. If the wiring is hidden, it is laid in advance so as not to spoil the walls later.

Sconce above the bedside table with additional spotlights below.

Above the sofa and easy chairs

It is most convenient to illuminate the recreation area with the help of wall lamps if you place them correctly. The mounting height is usually between 140 and 150 cm, so that the light falls on the place where the person sits and provides a comfortable environment for reading or other activities.

Usually, models with lampshades are selected, which illuminate the space below them and scatter light around the room. Choose the style for the living room or the room where the sofa is. Often they use a convenient model with a rope that you need to pull.

Video: how to properly wire under the sconce

Over the bed

Most often, a sconce over the bed is needed for reading. Therefore, the light should fall directly on the place where the person lies, so that there is no shadow. The placement height depends on the size of the headboard, if it is high, some put the lamp directly on it. It is not necessary to make the height of bedside lamps more than 160 cm, it is better to lower it lower so that the light does not disturb the one who lies nearby.

The height of the sconce above the bed is chosen so that you can turn it on and off with your hand outstretched. Some put the switch on the wall near the headboard if the sconce is too high. The design can be any, the main thing is that it fits the situation.

Note! If you place a wall lamp between the bed and the bedside table, it will illuminate both objects.

For mirror lighting

In this case, the position of the sconce is selected under the mirror. The lamp should be located approximately at the level of the person's head in the upper third of the mirror. The closer it is, the better the space in front of the dressing table is illuminated.

Stylish lamps near the mirror.

A diffused light is better, as the directional light will blind and reflect from the mirror. The easiest way is to use models with a switch on the case or on a wire if you need to connect through an outlet.

It is not difficult to choose the height of the sconce if you use simple recommendations and prepare in advance for installation. Consider the purpose of the application, the choice of model and its characteristics depend on this. Consider in advance where it is best to place the switch for your convenience.