One of the most effective lighting configurations in bathrooms is the use of sconces placed on either side of the mirror or alone on an adjacent wall. These fixtures often become the focal point in the room; therefore, the style of the fixture is of utmost importance. The size and style of the sconces you choose also will affect the height at which you place them.
Common Sconces
Builders of standard homes often choose sconce fixtures that are 1 foot or less in height. Usually this is due more to budgetary decisions than aesthetic considerations. Even if your home has sconces that you dislike and you are concerned that the electrical wiring will inhibit your desire to change, you should be able to find fixtures that will not require you to change the wiring.
Most standard sconce fixture locations will range between 5 feet to 5 feet 6 inches off the floor. Some fixtures are designed to focus attention above that height by including several tiers or elements above the bulb. Likewise, other fixtures focus the design by adding bulk or augmentation below the bulb. Many suitable fixtures are available in home improvement stores or electrical fixture stores in your community.
New Construction
If you are buying a new home under construction, you have the best of both worlds: Find the perfect fixtures well ahead of the time, and the electrician can install them when he wires the room.
Enlist the help of a friend to hold the fixture against the wall in the bathroom. Slide the fixture up and down along the wall several times, allowing yourself the luxury of deciding where you think it looks best. Have your assistant either make a pencil mark or measure the height where the electrical connections for that fixture will intersect the wall.
What Looks Best
In the final analysis, the correct height for sconce lighting in your bathroom is exactly where you think the fixture looks best. After you make that mark or measurement, you can compare it to the standard height of between 5 feet and 5 feet 6 inches off the floor. While there is no perfect standard preset height, the choice you make will be perfect. Flip the switch and enjoy!
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