{"title":"Bathroom Wall Sconces","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA pair of sconces beside a bathroom mirror beats every overhead fixture ever made.\u003c\/strong\u003e Not by a little — by the entire difference between light that flatters and light that ages you. The reason is geometry, not taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy side lighting wins\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA ceiling fixture above a mirror sends light down the front of your face. Every feature that projects — brow, nose, chin — casts a shadow directly below it. That's the under-eye hollow you see at home and don't see in a change room or a hotel bathroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTwo sconces at either side send light in from both directions at face height.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each one fills the shadow the other would create. Nothing is left dark. It's the same principle as two-point lighting in a photo studio, and it costs less than a vanity bar.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eThe numbers\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e centre of the fixture at \u003cstrong\u003e66 inches from the floor\u003c\/strong\u003e — roughly eye level for most adults.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e36 to 40 inches apart\u003c\/strong\u003e, which usually means flanking a standard mirror with a few inches of clearance on each side.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIf the mirror is too wide to flank, mount the sconces on the mirror itself if it's a fixed panel, or fall back to a vanity bar above.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eShade choice matters here more than anywhere\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou want \u003cstrong\u003ediffuse, not directional\u003c\/strong\u003e. Frosted glass, opal, or fabric shades spread light softly across a face. A clear glass shade with an exposed filament bulb looks beautiful in a photo and puts a hard glare spot right in your eye line every morning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOpen at both top and bottom is ideal — light goes up onto the ceiling and down onto the counter as well as out toward you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDamp rating and code\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSconces beside a mirror in a normally ventilated bathroom need a \u003cstrong\u003edamp rating\u003c\/strong\u003e. Anything that could catch spray from a shower needs \u003cstrong\u003ewet-rated\u003c\/strong\u003e and generally GFCI protection. Look for the \u003cstrong\u003eCSA or cUL mark\u003c\/strong\u003e — an uncertified fixture in a bathroom is a problem at inspection and with an insurer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eIf there's no wiring where you need it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAdding two boxes flanking a mirror means opening tile or drywall — expensive. \u003cstrong\u003ePlug-in sconces\u003c\/strong\u003e mounted to the wall with a cord run to an outlet are a legitimate answer, especially in a rental or a condo. Cord covers paint over and disappear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBulbs: \u003cstrong\u003eCRI 90 or higher\u003c\/strong\u003e at 2700K–3000K. From a Canadian company.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow high should bathroom sconces be mounted?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentre of the fixture at about 66 inches from the floor, roughly eye level for a standing adult.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow far apart should sconces flanking a mirror be?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e36 to 40 inches between centres — usually just outside the edges of a standard mirror.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre sconces better than a vanity light above the mirror?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes for lighting a face. Two sconces send light from both sides and cancel the shadows that a top-mounted fixture creates under the eyes and chin.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat shade should I choose?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrosted, opal or fabric — diffuse rather than directional. Clear glass with an exposed filament creates a glare spot at eye level.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDo bathroom sconces need to be damp-rated?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes for normal bathroom positions. Anything that could catch shower spray needs a wet rating and usually GFCI protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\n{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How high should bathroom sconces be mounted?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Centre of the fixture at about 66 inches from the floor, roughly eye level for a standing adult.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How far apart should sconces flanking a mirror be?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"36 to 40 inches between centres, usually just outside the edges of a standard mirror.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Are sconces better than a vanity light above the mirror?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes for lighting a face. Two sconces send light from both sides and cancel the shadows that a top-mounted fixture creates under the eyes and chin.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What shade should I choose for a bathroom sconce?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Frosted, opal or fabric, diffuse rather than directional. Clear glass with an exposed filament creates a glare spot at eye level.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do bathroom sconces need to be damp-rated?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes for normal bathroom positions. Anything that could catch shower spray needs a wet rating and usually GFCI protection.\"}}]}\n\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"url":"https:\/\/maisonmonashee.com\/collections\/bathroom-wall-sconces.oembed","provider":"Maison Monashee ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}