✓ Short answer: As a rule of thumb, center a bedside sconce about 60 to 62 inches from the floor, or just above your shoulder when you sit up in bed. Swing-arm reading lamps can go a little lower, about 4 feet, because you aim them. Most important: you should reach the switch without getting up.
How to set the height, step by step
- Sit up in bed and mark the wall. Hunker says the ideal spot is just above shoulder height, so measure from where you actually read.
- Start at 60 to 62 inches to center. That is Arteriors's rule of thumb, measured from the floor to the middle of the fixture.
- Adjust for bed height. Schoolhouse uses 5 feet with a standard 25-inch bed; a taller mattress means a higher sconce.
- Swing arms can go lower. Schoolhouse mounted one just over 4 feet up, since the arm can be aimed to either side.
- Keep the switch in reach. Hunker calls this the most important factor: a switch on the lamp, an in-line cord switch, or touch dimming.
- Line it up with the nightstand. Pairs look calm when both sconces sit at the same height, centered over each table.
- Choose plug-in, hardwired or cordless. Plug-in needs only an outlet, hardwired needs a junction box, and a rechargeable sconce needs neither.
Our picks for beside the bed
House of Troy Newbury Swing Arm Wall Lamp with USB Port
Plug-in cord and a USB port for charging a phone overnight.
House of Troy Townhouse Swing Arm Wall Lamp
Plug-in, with a 26-inch overall extension to reach over a pillow.
House of Troy Studio Industrial Pin-Up Wall Lamp
A pin-up lamp with a plug-in cord, no junction box needed.
House of Troy Home/Office Swing Arm Wall Lamp
Hardwired to a junction box for a clean, cord-free wall.
Artemide Tolomeo Mini Wall Light
Surface or junction-box wall support; the arm aims light where you read.
Koncept Z-Bar LED Wall Sconce
Dimmable LED with 90+ CRI; mounts horizontally, vertically or diagonally.
Modern Lantern Emily Cordless Wall Sconce, Black, Rattan Shade
No cord, no outlet: 8 to 48 hours per charge, and it dims.
Modern Lantern Emily Cordless Wall Sconce, Antique Brass
A removable battery charges while the sconce stays on the wall.
For the chair across the room, see How Should I Light a Reading Chair?
Frequently asked questions
How high should a bedside wall sconce be?
A common rule of thumb is to center it about 60 to 62 inches from the floor, then check that it sits just above your shoulder when you sit up against the pillows.
How high should a swing-arm reading lamp be above the bed?
Because you can aim a swing arm, it can go lower than a fixed sconce. Schoolhouse shows one mounted just over 4 feet above the floor.
Do I need an electrician for a bedside sconce?
Not for a plug-in model. Several of our picks plug into an outlet. Hardwired models connect to a junction box, which is a job for an electrician.
Where should the switch be?
Within reach while you sit in bed. Look for a switch on the lamp, an in-line switch on the cord, or touch dimming.
Can I use a cordless sconce beside the bed?
Yes. A rechargeable sconce such as Modern Lantern Emily needs no wiring or outlet and runs 8 to 48 hours per charge.
Planning a bedroom for a client or for yourself? Our design team is happy to help: contact MetropolitanDecor.