Design & Styling of Wall Lights
Which rooms work best with wall lights?
Wall lights are incredibly versatile and can elevate the look and feel of virtually any room in your home. Here are some examples of spaces where wall lights shine:
- Living rooms: Wall lights are a great way to add warm, ambient lighting that complements your overhead fixtures, balancing the overall brightness of the room. Whether you're watching a movie, hosting friends, or enjoying a quiet evening with a book, wall lights help create a cosy and inviting atmosphere.
- Bedrooms: Ideal as space-saving alternatives to bedside table lamps, wall lights provide excellent reading light while freeing up your nightstand for other essentials. With adjustable designs, they can be positioned for maximum comfort, making them perfect for winding down with your favourite novel.
- Hallways: Narrow corridors can feel dark and unwelcoming, but evenly spaced wall lights can transform them into brighter, more inviting spaces. By illuminating the length of the hallway, wall lights can also create the illusion of a larger, airier area.
- Dining rooms: Soft wall lighting is perfect for creating an intimate and atmospheric dining experience. Whether you're hosting a dinner party or enjoying a quiet meal with family, these lights can set the mood, enhancing the elegance of the space without overpowering it.
- Bathrooms: Vanity lights positioned around mirrors not only improve visibility for tasks like grooming or applying makeup but also enhance the overall aesthetic of the space. Their flattering glow can make the bathroom feel more luxurious, offering a spa-like ambience that's perfect for unwinding.
The key to success is choosing the right style, placement, and wattage to suit the unique needs of each room, which we go into more detail below:
Tips for Living Room Wall Lights
Living room wall lights can enhance your space, so choose designs that complement the room's colours and style.
- Space Lights Evenly: Use wall lights for ambient lighting by spacing them evenly around the room. In formal living rooms, lights often look best in pairs next to features like windows, doors, fireplaces, chimney breasts, alcoves, or artworks.
- Create Task Lighting: For a reading light, select one that complements your sofa or armchair and position it over or near your reading nook or desk where you need the most illumination.
- Consider Plug-in Wall Lights: These offer an easy, ready-to-use solution that requires no wiring and can be moved as needed.
We offer an extensive collection of lights for living rooms.
Tips for Bedroom Wall Lights
Bedroom lighting needs to be flexible, allowing for both bright light to facilitate tasks such as reading, dressing, working, or grooming, and softer light to promote relaxation and sleep.
- Consider Bedside Lighting First: Choose a wall light that fits neatly next to or above your bed, providing ample reading light. Installing them at shoulder height allows for easy access to switches from the bed.
- Use Directional Lights: Angled wall lights or spotlights can focus light where needed. These work well as both task and ambient lighting and can be fitted on walls, ceilings, beams, shelves, and wardrobes.
- Swap Bulbs: Replace white/blue light bulbs with warm white LEDs to promote sleep.
- Use Dimmer Switches: Install dimmer switches for greater control over bedroom lighting levels.
Please take a look at our collection of bedroom lighting.
Tips for Hallway Wall Lights
Low ceilings can make a space feel cramped, but installing wall lights high on the wall can draw the eye upward and create a more open feel. Wall lights are especially useful for brightening staircases and landings.
- Space lights evenly - Install lights at regular intervals along hallways or landings to eliminate dark, shadowy spots.
- Position at eye level - Since hallways are usually used while standing, put wall lights at or just above eye level to reduce glare and make sure they look good straight on.
- Consider hallway width - For narrow spaces, choose flush-mounted wall lights. In wider hallways, go for designs with larger arms. Because wall lights are often the only light source in hallways, select a decorative style to add visual interest.
- Add mirrors - Hang mirrors between wall lights to reflect and amplify light across the space.
Explore our range of lighting for hallways
How do I choose the right size picture light?
If you’re illuminating artwork, selecting the proper size picture light is essential for achieving a balanced and polished look. For landscape-oriented pictures, choose a light that is between 1/2 and 1/3 the width of the artwork (excluding the frame). If your picture is portrait-oriented, opt for a light as close to 1/2 the width as possible.
Could you position the picture light centrally above your artwork, making sure it evenly illuminates the entire piece? Many picture lights come with adjustable heads, making it easy to direct light exactly where you need it. This creates stunning accent lighting that highlights your favourite artwork and adds an extra layer of sophistication to the room.
From adjustable wall lights to picture lights, we have the right solution for you.
Installation, Placement & Electrical Tips
How high should I install my wall lights?
The ideal height for wall lights is typically around 152-170cm (5-5.5ft) above the floor, which positions the top of the fitting at or just above eye level. This prevents glare from the bulb while offering comfortable, functional lighting. This height is versatile and works well for most rooms, providing the perfect balance of practicality and aesthetics to create ambient lighting that enhances your space.
When installing multiple wall lights in the same room or hallway, ensure they are spaced approximately 250-300cm (8-10ft) apart. This spacing allows for even light distribution without creating harsh overlaps or leaving dark patches. If you're unsure about where to place them, consider using the 'rule of thirds.' This simple guideline suggests positioning your lights two-thirds of the way up the wall for a visually pleasing, balanced look that complements the room's overall design.
Do you know if I can use wall lights in bathrooms?
Absolutely! Wall lights are an excellent choice for bathrooms, mainly when used as vanity lighting around mirrors or to create a serene, spa-like atmosphere. They provide a flattering, focused light that’s perfect for tasks like grooming or applying makeup while also adding a touch of elegance to the space.
That said, it’s essential to select wall lights with the correct IP rating to ensure they’re safe to use in humid, moisture-prone environments. The IP rating indicates the level of protection against water and dust, so choosing the right fixtures means your lights will be durable and safe over time.
For optimal results, position bathroom wall lights either on both sides of the mirror or directly above it, ensuring they are installed at eye level. This placement minimises shadows on the face and provides even, flattering lighting. To maximise versatility, consider using dimmable bulbs, allowing you to switch between bright task lighting and softer mood lighting, depending on your needs or the time of day.
Lighting & Bulbs
What wattage bulbs should I use in wall lights?
When selecting bulbs for your wall lights, please consider the type of lamp holder they use. For small bayonet (SBC, B15) holders, we recommend sticking to a maximum of 6 LED watts, which is roughly equivalent to a 40-50W incandescent bulb. For standard bayonet (BC, B22) fittings, you can use up to 7.5W of LED watts, which is comparable to a 60- to 70-watt incandescent bulb. This ensures your lighting is both practical and energy-efficient.
We strongly advise against using halogen bulbs, as they generate excessive heat that can damage fabric shades over time. Instead, opt for LED bulbs, which are a much better option. LEDs are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and come in a variety of colour temperatures, making it easy to choose a warm, inviting light that enhances the atmosphere of your space.
Should I choose uplights or downlights?
The decision between uplights and downlights depends on the type of atmosphere you want to create in your room. Uplights, which direct light upwards along the wall and ceiling, are perfect for making spaces feel more open and airy. They work particularly well in living rooms, dining rooms, or any area where you want a welcoming and spacious vibe.
On the other hand, downlights cast light downwards, creating focused pools of illumination that add a sense of intimacy and cosiness. They’re an excellent choice for task lighting, such as in reading corners or for highlighting specific architectural features like a fireplace or artwork. Choosing between uplights and downlights ultimately depends on the room's purpose and the desired mood.
Do you offer plug-in wall lights?
Yes, we do! Plug-in wall lights are a fantastic option for those who want stylish, functional lighting without the need for complicated electrical work. They’re especially ideal for renters or anyone seeking a quick and hassle-free lighting solution.
Plug-in lights offer the style and functionality of hardwired wall lights, with added flexibility. You can move and reposition them as needed, making them a practical choice for spaces where permanent fixtures aren’t an option. Plug them into a nearby outlet, and you’re ready to enjoy their beauty and convenience.
Should I use dimmer switches with wall lights?
We highly recommend using dimmer switches with your wall lights. They provide you with complete control over lighting levels, enabling you to adjust the brightness to suit any mood or occasion. Whether you need bright task lighting for reading or softer ambient lighting for relaxation, dimmers make your wall lights incredibly adaptable.
This feature is particularly valuable in spaces such as bedrooms, dining rooms, and living rooms, where lighting needs fluctuate throughout the day. Dimmer switches not only enhance the versatility of your wall lights but also help save energy by reducing the amount of power used when lower light levels are needed.
Need more personalised advice? Please book your free lighting consultation with our expert team! We’re passionate about helping you create the perfect lighting scheme for your home and are always happy to share our expertise.
