Dining Room Wall Sconces

Dining Room Wall Sconces: Candlelight Mood Without the Table Clutter

A dining room is built for lingering, and the right light makes people stay. A chandelier or pendant covers the table, but it can feel stark if it is the only source. Dining room wall sconces add a quieter second layer along the walls, softening the corners and giving the room that candlelit feel that makes dinner feel like an occasion.

Because they take no table or floor space, sconces suit both a formal dining room and a small eat-in nook. Our collection brings together 26 hardwired designs, with a modern base, plus vintage, boho, Art Deco and Japandi touches, in glass, iron, travertine, wood, brass and rattan.

Why Add Sconces Around the Table

Overhead light alone makes eye sockets look dark. Light from the sides, at roughly face height, softens that and lets guests see one another. That is the main reason designers pair a table fixture with wall lights, and a pair on either side of a sideboard is the easiest place to begin.

Sconces also give you a way to keep the ceiling fixture calm. Without them, you may be tempted to make the chandelier bright enough to fill the room, which leaves it glaring. For ideas on the whole room, read our dining room lighting ideas.

Where They Look Best

• On both sides of a sideboard, buffet or console, at standard eye height.
• Either side of a large mirror or a piece of art on the main wall.
• At the two ends of a long table, on the short walls.
• In an alcove or bay, where there is no space for a table lamp.

Keep the placement symmetrical, since dining rooms tend to be formal. Mount dining room sconces 60 to 66 inches from the floor, and check the exact size in our guide on how high to mount wall sconces. Keep the fixture clear of the heads of seated guests and chair backs.

Pairing Sconces with a Chandelier or Pendant

The two work best together when they share a material or finish, but not a style identical in every detail. If your table has a dining room chandelier, choose sconces that echo its metal or shade shape. With a dining room pendant light, repeat the shade material. For sizing and height, see how high to hang a chandelier in our chandelier height and size guide.

Styles in the Collection

The Travertine Disc and White Veined Stone Cube sconces add a stone look to a modern room. Natural materials come through in the Boho Rattan Swan Neck and the Woven Bamboo Cage, which suit a relaxed table. For glamour, the Fluted Resin Art Deco design brings in rhythm and shine, and a Vintage Wood Hanging Bulb sconce has a warm, aged character. Browse Art Deco wall sconces to go deeper into that style, or pick a rattan piece for a boho feel.

Light Levels and Bulbs

A dining room needs about 10 to 20 lumens per square foot in total, and it is better a little low than too bright. Remember that the food, the faces and the glassware all look best in a soft pool of light, and a harsh bulb takes away that effect. Place each sconce so the bulb or LED is hidden behind a shade or a diffuser when you are seated. Eleven of our dining room sconces have an integrated LED, nine use E26 bulbs and a few use E12 or G9. For a note on the bases, see our E26 vs E12 bulb basics, and for the choice of warmth, 2700 to 3000 K is the rule.

Installing Hardwired Sconces

All 26 designs are hardwired. Turn off the breaker, test that the wires are dead and secure the fixture to a junction box. Ask a licensed electrician to add a new box if there is none on the wall. For a swap of an existing fixture, our guide on replacing a light fixture safely covers the steps.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Placing sconces too close to the table, where a chair or a guest bumps them.
• Choosing a shade so bright it glares at seated guests.
• Mixing very different color temperatures with the chandelier.
• Hanging them off-center against a symmetrical sideboard.

FAQ: Dining Room Wall Sconces

What is a wall sconce?

A wall sconce is a light fixture mounted on the wall. In a dining room it adds a soft layer of light at eye level, so faces look warm and the table is not the only lit thing in the room.

Where do you put sconces in a dining room?

Flank a sideboard, a buffet or a mirror, or place them in pairs on the wall at each end of the table. Keep them clear of the chair backs and any wall art.

How high should dining room wall sconces be?

Aim for a center height of 60 to 66 inches from the floor. Hang them a little higher, near 70 inches, in a room with a ceiling over 9 feet.

Do I need a chandelier if I have sconces?

Not necessarily, but most dining rooms look best with a main light over the table. If you want one, size it using our guide to chandelier height and size, and use sconces for the ambient glow.

What color temperature is best for a dining room?

Warm white, between 2700 and 3000 K, is the classic pick. It flatters food and skin, and it feels relaxed rather than clinical.

Can sconces be dimmed in a dining room?

A dimmer is a good idea in a dining room. None of our dining room sconces is listed as dimmable, so check the product page and think about putting the main fixture on a dimmer.

Explore More Wall Sconces

Take the look beyond the dining room. Hallway wall sconces carry the same warm glow to the entry, and kitchen wall sconces suit an open plan. The wider dining room lighting range includes more fixtures for the table, and the whole wall sconce catalog is there if you want more options.

An Evening Glow at the Table

Aftensol is evening light for the home. Pick a pair of sconces that suit your table, check the product page for details, and let dinner linger. Free shipping on every order and 30-day returns.

Keep exploring: modern wall sconces · travertine wall sconces · dining room lighting