Wall sconces in a bathroom
Key takeaways:
- A bathroom wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture designed for a humid room, with an IP rating of IP44 at minimum, which protects against water splashes.
- Choose a warm white of 2700 to 3000 K for a relaxed mood, or a cool white of 4000 to 5000 K for makeup and shaving.
- The location depends on the safety zones defined by the NF C 15-100 standard around the shower and the bathtub: installation and connection must be entrusted to a qualified electrician.
A bathroom wall sconce is a wall-mounted light fixture designed for a humid room, whose casing protects the electrical parts against water splashes. Among all wall sconces, these are the ones that provide lighting that is both effective and safe: they light the room functionally, and at the same time give it a decorative touch.
Whether the room has a shower or a bathtub, lighting plays a key role in creating a warm, bright atmosphere, especially with modern sconces with LED and dimmer, which give a bright light for the morning routine and a softer one at bath time.
Types of bathroom wall sconces
There are several types of wall sconces, suited to every need. Four main families share the bathroom, and nothing prevents you from combining them, as long as each light point serves a clearly defined purpose:
- Classic sconces: they diffuse a soft light, ideal for areas near the sink.
- LED sconces: energy-efficient and durable, they provide a focused, steady light.
- Sconces with integrated mirror: perfect for saving space, while still playing a decorative role.
- Design and decorative sconces: they bring a contemporary or retro touch to the bathroom.
| Sconce type | Advantage | Recommended location |
|---|---|---|
| Classic | Soft light | Near the sink |
| LED | Energy-efficient, steady light | Around the mirror |
| With integrated mirror | Space saving | Small bathroom |
| Design and decorative | Contemporary or retro touch | Clear wall |
These families are not mutually exclusive, since a decorative sconce can perfectly well house an LED source. Our LED wall sconces suit those who favor low consumption, while our design wall sconces are for those who care about the shape of the fixture as much as its light.
Whatever type you choose, only a model whose water protection suits the intended location can be installed in a bathroom: this information appears on the product page of each item, and it is the first line to read.
Selection criteria for a bathroom wall sconce
Choosing the best wall sconce for your bathroom means taking several important criteria into account, starting with safety, because a model that is not designed for a humid room has no place near a water point:
- IP rating (IP): it indicates the fixture's resistance to water and solid objects. An IP44 rating is the recommended minimum in a humid room such as the bathroom: it protects against solid objects larger than 1 mm and against water splashes. To understand the two digits, see the definition of the IP rating on Futura-Sciences. Depending on the location, a higher rating may be required, such as that of our IP65 wall sconces.
- Materials: chrome, metal and glass are ideal, for their durability as well as their appearance.
- Style and design: from modern sconces to retro styles, the choice depends on the existing decor.
- Type of lighting, warm white or cool white: the color of the light is chosen according to the desired atmosphere. Warm white is ideal for a welcoming mood, while cool white gives a functional light, close to daylight.
On this last point, it all depends on use: our warm light wall sconces create an enveloping atmosphere, pleasant at bath time, whereas our cool light wall sconces give a crisp, invigorating light, which you want for shaving or applying makeup with precision.
The best wall sconces by category
To cover every need, here are the categories of wall sconces best suited to the bathroom, each meeting a specific expectation, whether it is light, space saving or a decorative signature:
- Modern LED sconces: they give a bright, clear light. On some models, the LED is integrated and not replaceable, a design meant to last much longer than a conventional bulb.
- Mirror sconces: perfect in small spaces, they combine lighting and reflection.
- Design sconces: ideal for a unique, aesthetic decor in your bathroom.
The first ones suit bathrooms without a window, where a strong light is needed from the morning. When the LED is integrated, check the fixture's color temperature on the product page, since you will not be able to change it afterwards.
Mirror sconces are useful in a narrow shower room, where every centimeter of wall counts, while design sconces find their place on a clear wall, where they can really be seen.
Installation and maintenance of bathroom wall sconces
For a trouble-free installation and maintenance, remember that the bathroom is the room where electricity is the most strictly regulated. The NF C 15-100 standard defines safety zones there around the bathtub and the shower: the closer you get to the water, the stricter the requirements, both for the fixtures allowed and for their IP rating.
An IP44 rating is a minimum, and some zones require more, which should be checked on the product page before any purchase. This is why the choice of location, installation and connection are entrusted to a qualified electrician, the only person able to say whether the model you have spotted can be installed where you imagine it:
- Installation: it proceeds step by step, from preparing the surface to mounting, then the electrical connection, which the electrician carries out after switching off the power at the circuit breaker.
- Maintenance and durability: clean the sconce regularly, switched off, with a soft cloth, have the connections checked by an electrician at the slightest doubt, and replace the bulbs if necessary.
Maintenance matters more here than elsewhere, because steam leaves a film of limescale on glass and metal that gradually dulls the light. Never aim the shower spray at the sconce, even when its IP rating is high.
Wall sconces and bathroom decor
Wall sconces can transform the decor of your bathroom, bringing it a pleasant light and an attractive look, even when they are switched off:
- Decor ideas: match the sconces with the other decorative elements of the bathroom, such as the faucets or the mirror frame.
- Pairing with other light fixtures: ceiling lights, spotlights and illuminated mirrors combine with sconces to create a complete atmosphere.
A well-lit bathroom relies on several sources: a bathroom ceiling light or a few recessed spotlights provide the general lighting, while the sconces, on either side of the mirror, bring the front lighting that avoids shadows on the face.
For overall harmony, a matte black repeated on the sconces and on the mixer tap is enough to unify the room, and the same logic applies to all of your bathroom light fixtures, which look more elegant when chosen in a single finish.
Where to buy bathroom wall sconces?
Two options are open to you, the physical store and the online shop, and each has its advantages and drawbacks: in a store, you see the fixture lit, but the choice is limited to the models on display, whereas online the catalog is much wider, provided you read the dimensions and characteristics carefully.
On the Lustria online shop, each product page states the sconce's IP rating, materials and bulb type, as well as its price. You can thus easily compare models, and you can pass this information on to your electrician, who will confirm the choice.
Frequently asked questions about bathroom wall sconces
Why choose a bathroom sconce in black metal and opal glass?
Because it combines a modern design with a touch of refinement. The black metal is sturdy, while the white opal glass diffuses a soft, pleasant light, perfect in a bathroom.
This type of sconce adds a focused light point, while bringing a distinctive decorative note, as shown by our black wall sconces and our glass wall sconces.
Why choose an LED sconce in smoked glass and chrome?
For the elegance of its materials and the restraint of its light source. The smoked glass brings a contemporary, refined touch, while the chrome metal withstands the humidity of a bathroom well.
The integrated LEDs also provide efficient, durable lighting, suited to prolonged use, in a modern design that goes with almost any bathroom.
How do you install a two-light bathroom sconce?
By entrusting installation and connection to a qualified electrician, because the location depends on the safety zones defined around water points. The installation proceeds as follows:
- Preparation: the power is switched off at the circuit breaker, and the electrician validates the location.
- Marking: the mounting holes are marked on the wall, using the sconce's bracket.
- Drilling: the holes are drilled, then fitted with suitable wall plugs.
- Electrical connection: the electrician connects the sconce's wires to those of the wall.
- Mounting: the bracket is fixed to the wall, with the screws included.
- Fitting the shades: the glass shades are placed on their supports and carefully secured.
Why is the IP44 rating important in a bathroom?
Because it ensures protection against water splashes from all directions, and against solid objects larger than 1 mm, which matters for safety as well as for the durability of fixtures near the shower, the bathtub or the sink.
It is a minimum: the closer the sconce is to water, the higher the requirements. The electrician determines the necessary rating according to the location.
Why choose an aluminum sconce with an LED dimmer?
Because it combines a material suited to humid rooms with adjustable light. Aluminum is lightweight, durable and resists corrosion.
The dimmer adjusts the intensity to your needs, bright for everyday tasks, soft for a relaxed atmosphere, as on our dimmable wall sconces. If the bulb is replaceable, check that it is marked "dimmable".
Warm white or cool white in a bathroom?
Warm white suits relaxation and cool white suits precise tasks: the choice depends on the mood and function you want.
- Warm white (2700 K to 3000 K): ideal for creating a warm, restful atmosphere, perfect in the evening.
- Cool white (4000 K to 5000 K): a bright, invigorating light, ideal in the morning, for makeup or shaving.
For versatile lighting, some LED fixtures let you switch from one temperature to the other, depending on the time of day.
Why choose a sconce with an integrated mirror in a small bathroom?
Because it combines two fixtures in one, with four advantages:
- Space saving: it combines the mirror and the lighting in a single element.
- Focused lighting: it gives a direct light, ideal for makeup or shaving.
- Aesthetics: it brings a modern, clean touch to the bathroom.
- Simplified installation: it limits the number of electrical installations to plan.
How does a polished chrome LED sconce change the decor?
It brings a touch of modernity and elegance. The polished chrome reflects the light, which increases the brightness of the room and creates a bright, welcoming atmosphere.
The integrated LEDs give powerful, even lighting while consuming little. This type of fixture blends perfectly into a modern bathroom, like our silver wall sconces.
Can any wall sconce be installed in a bathroom?
No, only a sconce whose IP rating matches the intended location can be installed there, because the NF C 15-100 standard divides the room into safety zones.
So check the IP rating on the product page, and have your choice validated by a qualified electrician before installation.
Where should you place the sconces around the bathroom mirror?
On either side of the mirror, at face height, for a front light that does not accentuate shadows.
When there is not enough room at the sides, an elongated sconce, placed above the mirror, is also suitable. The exact location is decided with the electrician, according to the safety zones.
Which bulb should you choose for a bathroom wall sconce?
An LED bulb, whose base and maximum wattage are indicated on the product page: it consumes little, heats up very little and lasts a long time.
Choose its shade according to use, and take a "dimmable" model if the sconce is connected to a dimmer.
How do you maintain a wall sconce in a humid room?
With a soft cloth, wiped regularly over the sconce when it is switched off and cooled down, to remove limescale and soap marks.
Avoid scouring sponges, never spray the fixture, and ventilate the room after showering to limit condensation.