Mounting Heights
How High?
This is a repost of a conversation we had with Remodelista - click to read the full story!
How far from the floor should you mount hallway sconces? How high should pendants hang over a kitchen counter? How far should an outdoor sconce be mounted from a door frame?
The answers are often a matter of personal preference. When in doubt, mock it up. We’re strong believers in eyeballing rectangles of tape on the wall or ceiling to get a clear sense of where you want to mount something.
But while there are no absolutes, there are a couple of things to consider when determining where your light should land.
Show here, our Slide Sconce in a space by Andrei Pogany, photo by Tanveer Badal.
Outdoor Sconces. In our experience, measuring 64 to 70 inches from the ground works well when placing outdoor sconces that cast light up as well down, as many of ours do. Since door frame widths vary, we recommend measuring from the door itself and placing your sconce 4 to 6 inches away from the edge of the door or trim board. Shown here, our Ada Corten 17" Sconce.
Entryway & Living Room Ceiling Lights. Hang your fixture so the bottom lands 84 inches above the floor for standard ceiling heights. If your ceilings are taller than 8 feet, which is the norm, add 2 to 3 inches above the floor for each additional ceiling foot. Shown here, our Church Pendant.
Dining Room Tables. As a rule of thumb the overall size of your light should be about one-half to two-thirds the size of your dining table. You want a fixture that allows you to leave some space from the edge of your table to the outer edges of the light all the way around. Long chandeliers tend to work best over rectilinear tables, and standard chandeliers work well over round tables. Align the bottom of your fixture 24 to 48 inches above your tabletop depending on ceiling height and fixture type. Shown here, our Beam Opal 46".
Kitchen Islands & Countertops. You’ll get the best light if you align the bottom of your fixture(s) 30 to 48 inches above your countertop. If you have higher ceilings or want clear lines of sight, you’ll want to place your lights on the higher end of that range. When hanging several lights, the ideal distance between each depends a bit on the size of the fixture but we have found that somewhere between 2 to 3 feet is about right. Be sure that the outer edge of the fixture stays at least 10 inches from the edge of your counter. Shown here, our Grain Pendant Sconces.
Bedside. Sconces are typically best placed 16 to 24 inches above a bedside table. Or, if you’re hanging lights, aim to align the bottom of pendants at 16 to 24 inches above your bedside tables. When mounting an adjustable swing arm light or a pull-chain fixture, it helps to consider your own height and arm length to determine what’s most comfortable when you're reaching to adjust a light or turn it on/off from bed. Shown here, our Hood Sconce Pull Chain at the Ryder Hotel.
Hallways. Indoor sconces along a hallway are best mounted 62 to 66 inches from the floor, depending on ceiling height, shelving or architecture such as wainscoting. Shown here, our Ada Sconce 9" in Black.