Can wired and rechargeable wall lights be used together? Yes, absolutely. It's a question we're often asked, particularly by customers who already have lighting they love but would like a little more light in the room.
You may well already have wall lights wired into the mains, which makes life easy. But perhaps a corner still feels a little dark, or you would like a cosier atmosphere when the main light goes off. The good news is that you can add a rechargeable wall light without putting in another electrical connection.
The fittings can match exactly, or you can choose something quite different. You don't even need existing wall lights: a rechargeable wall light works just as happily alongside a pendant or table lamp.
Why combine wired and rechargeable wall lights?
Perhaps you have a favourite chair that would benefit from a light beside it, or a sideboard that gets lost in shadow. Sometimes the room is bright enough, but you don't want the ceiling light on all evening. A wall light can make that spot feel much more inviting.
This is where rechargeable wall lights come into their own. There's no need to chase a new cable into the wall and then put the decoration right afterwards. Choose your position, fix the light securely to the wall following its instructions, charge the bulb and it's ready to use.
Our rechargeable wall lights are useful for adding these extra pools of light. If you need a fitting on for long periods every day, think about whether you would be happy with a charging routine or would find a wired light more convenient.
How to combine wired and rechargeable lighting in one room
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Your requirement |
What to consider |
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Reliable lighting used for long periods |
A wired fitting avoids battery charging. Choose its bulb and light output for the task. |
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Extra evening light on an unwired wall |
A rechargeable fitting can add a separate pool of light without extending the mains circuit. |
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A matching pair with only one existing connection |
Choose wired and rechargeable versions of the same fitting, such as the Hartlip, for an identical look. |
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A light for reading |
Check usable brightness, shade direction and glare. Power source alone doesn't tell you whether a light will illuminate a page comfortably. |
Think of a living room with a pendant in the centre and a rechargeable wall light beside the sofa. The pendant gives you light when you need it across the room, while the wall light lets you settle down in the evening with a softer glow. You can have both, and use whichever suits the moment.
For the wider room arrangement, our guide to layering lighting explains how different light sources work together.
Do wired and rechargeable wall lights need to match?
Complement your existing lighting or try a contrast
Not at all. If you already have lights you're happy with, keep them! You can add one of our rechargeable wall lights alongside them without having to find an exact match. Repeat a brass or nickel finish to bring things together, or choose a different finish and shade for a little contrast. A ceramic wall light can look lovely alongside a glass pendant, for example.
Choose identical fittings with different power sources
If you love a matching pair, we can do that too. Our wired Hartlip Ribbed Ceramic Shade Wall Light and Rechargeable Hartlip Ceramic Wall Light use exactly the same fitting and shade. Only the bulb changes, so they look identical. If you have a mains connection on one side of the bed but not the other, for example, you can have a wired Hartlip on one side and a rechargeable Hartlip on the other. The matching look, without running another cable through the wall.
If you have a particular shade in mind, take a look at our Rechargeable Straight Arm Wall Light comes in antique brass, bronze, nickel and polished brass, so you can pick up a finish already in the room or try a contrast. The shade is sold separately; choose one with enough room for the rechargeable bulb.
Coordinate the light as well as the fitting
It's also worth looking at the light itself. You might love the fittings together, but find that one bulb gives a much cooler light than the other. For a cosy evening atmosphere, similar warm-white bulbs are a good starting point.
They don't have to be equally bright. A light beside a chair has a different job from the main pendant, so think about what you want each one to do. If you plan to read by it, check that the bulb and shade will give enough light on the page.
Check proportions and charging access
Before you settle on a design, check how far it comes out from the wall as well as how big the shade is. You don't want to catch it every time you open a cupboard or walk past. Make sure you can also reach the bulb comfortably when it needs charging.
For a smaller ceramic design, the Rechargeable Stockwell Small Ceramic Wall Light has a shade measuring 9.5cm across and 14cm high. It is worth a look where you want something fairly compact, but remember to check the full projection too.
Will wired and rechargeable lights use the same switch?
Usually, they will have separate controls. Your wired lights carry on using their existing switches or dimmers, while the rechargeable light uses the controls supplied with its bulb or fitting.
That can be useful if you want just one light on in the evening. If you'd prefer to operate several rechargeable lights together, ask us about the controls before ordering so we can check the particular bulbs you're choosing.
The other thing to think about is charging. A light used for an hour or two in the evening is a different proposition from one that's on all day. Check the runtime of the bulb you're buying and choose a position where taking it out to charge won't become a nuisance.
Can rechargeable lights sit close to wired wall lights?
Yes. There is no need to keep them apart simply because one is wired and the other is rechargeable. Position them where they make sense in the room, allowing the clearances specified for each fitting.
Just take care when fixing a light near an existing electrical connection: check for hidden cables and pipes before drilling, and leave any changes to the mains wiring to an electrician.
A little extra light can make all the difference
If your room needs a little more light, you don't have to start again with all the lighting. Keep what you love and add a rechargeable wall light where it will make a difference. Matching Hartlips, a contrasting ceramic shade or a brass fitting that picks up a detail elsewhere in the room: there are plenty of ways to make it feel at home.
Send us a photograph of your existing lights and the space you want to illuminate. We can help you compare finishes, shades and suitable configurations, or you can browse the rechargeable wall-light collection to start gathering ideas.
You might also like
· How to Layer Lighting: A Simple Guide
· Our guide to rechargeable wall lights
Written by Hilary Grime, Director.
