The Complete Guide to Choosing and Placing Wall Lights
Adding depth and warmth to your space can feel like a daunting task, but using wall lights to create a layered lighting scheme not only adds visual appeal, it allows you to use accent lighting without taking away valuable table or floor space. Wall lighting has a unique ability to forge a pleasing and attractive environment by providing functional task light while ensuring you can also safely move around your home, while accentuating the features of the room. Let's look more closely at wall lights inspired by some of this year’s most popular interior design trends.
Where Should You Place Wall Lights?
Wall lights, sometimes known as scones can compliment so many areas around the home, including adjacent to fireplaces, mirrors or beds for a stylish accent or staggered across hallways for a warm glow and added safety. To ensure the lighting in your space remains balanced, wall lights should ideally be placed 8-10 feet apart and at eye level to reduce glare. It is generally recommended to position the top of the fitting or shade approximately 60-66 inches from the floor, which is at or just above eye level.
For high ceilings in particular try using the ‘rule of thirds’, positioning your wall lights two thirds of the way up the wall.
Living Rooms & Hallways
For an ambient, comfortable lighting effect in your living room or hallway, place wall lights 5 to 5.5 feet from floor level. In narrow hallways choosing a wall light that rests as flush to the wall as possible will be beneficial as it will not obstruct your path through the space.
Bedrooms
To create the perfect relaxing light for unwinding before bed with a good book, installing wall lights on either side of the bed or above the headboard are a great alternative to bedside lamps and allow easy access for when you’re ready to switch off for the night.
Staircases & Corridors
By staggering lights along the wall, you can illuminate stairways and corridors safely. For wider staircases or more open stairwells wall lights with shades in fabric, metal or glass are stylish and decorative additions. Swapping out standard wall lights for something bolder, such as LED strip lights creates a clean, contemporary look. They can be neatly installed under handrails or along the wall for a sleek and tidy space.
Bathrooms
In the bathroom or WC, wall lights are a practical tool to help you take care of your appearance, ensuring you're ready for the day ahead. Placing wall lights at eye level on both sides of your mirror provides ample illumination, with no unflattering shadows cast on the face.
Choosing Between Switched and Hard‑Wired Wall Lights
Depending on the room, you may wish to have a switch to operate your wall light. Bedrooms and reading nooks tend to be the ideal place for built-in switch or pull cord wall lights, whereas hallways and living room fixtures are typically hardwired to a main wall or dimmer switch. As an affordable and hassle-free alternative to mains wired wall lights, plug in or rechargeable wall lights are a simple and flexible option.
Dar Lighting Ede Satin Gold & Amber Glass Wall Light
Uplight vs Downlight
Depending on the mood you’re looking to create in your space, your choice of up or down light could make a considerable difference. Downlights or swing arm scones are ideal for reading or for task lighting in kitchens and offices, whereas uplights create mood by shining light upward, bathing the wall with indirect light to highlight your room's features, softening harsh shadows. Alternatively, wall washers create a smooth lighting look with no visible glare.
The Key To Creating Ambiance
Layered lighting typically refers to an interior design technique of combining more than one light source in a room with multiple light fittings at different heights and at different intensities of brightness to add depth and warmth to any room. While an important element when layering light, wall lights are best paired with other light sources and generally aren't recommended as the only light in a room. They are a key player alongside ceiling lights, floor and table lamps, and natural light when curating a room with layered lighting.
Illuminate dark corners and introduce a warm, soft and ambient glow to enhance the mood in any room. Wall lights offer directional lighting perfect for bedtime reading, ideal illumination for bathroom mirrors and focused task lighting, with adjustable and swing arm fittings especially for your home office.
Smart Space Savers
Fireplaces, artwork and alcoves are the ideal locations for wall light illumination. As they eliminate the need for floor or table lamps, mounting directly onto the wall, perfect to smaller, narrower spaces such as stairs and hallways. Not only stylish in the home, exterior wall lights are a practical choice for keeping the outside of your property illuminated and secure. They offer flexibility with many designs and styles to choose from, easily installed in any room from living room to bathroom, with hardwired, plug-in and solar options obtainable.
Contemporary Lighting Styles with Timeless Appeal
Smoked Glass Style Wall Lights
Smoked and tinted glass effects are created by adding metal oxides during the melting process, resulting in grey, bronze, or charcoal tones that soften the light emitted from your bulb, minimise glare, and create a warm and atmospheric fitting, with a sleek modern look. Effortlessly flatters most metal finishes, including matt black, gold, bronze and various chrome finishes. Low-glare illumination compliments industrial, traditional and contemporary home styles with versatile fixtures including matching wall lights, pendant lighting, lamps and chandelier lights.
Dar Lighting Savannah Matt Black & Smoked Glass Wall Light
The Savannah Wall Light, is a beautiful lighting fixture in a modern matt black finish with a complimenting ombre smoked glass shade. The elegant design of the Savannah allows it to blend seamlessly into any space, providing tasteful illumination and adding a touch of contemporary style to your decor. Install the Savannah Wall Light in hallways or living rooms to create a warm and inviting ambiance, or use it in your bedroom for a subtle and intimate lighting experience.
Elegant Bronze Wall Lights
To add a quiet, luxurious feel to your home, bronze wall lights are perfect for creating a sophisticated aesthetic and provide grounded elegance for any room. A bronze finish naturally grounds spaces with a darker, statement look that pairs beautifully with both classic industrial and rustic interior styles. Often used to create an intimate ambience, especially when paired with exposed filament bulbs, bronze wall lights or scones encapsulate richness, providing sensational contrast to soft or neutral colour palettes. Ideal for creating synergy between styles while providing dedicated illumination, highlighting your rooms distinctive features with hammered textures and dark patinas.
Laura Ashley Denston Antique Bronze Wall Light With Shade
The Denston Wall Light from Laura Ashley boasts a warm cream boucle fabric empire shade and an antique bronze finish to bring a timeless and homely elegance to any space. This wall light can be paired with matching Denston ceiling lights and lamps for a cohesive look.
Vintage-Inspired Wall Lights
Covering the 1920’s to the 1970’s, vintage light styles capture the essence of movements such as Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern, adding charm and individuality to your interiors. Including robust brass, copper, iron and hand blown, frosted and stained glass finishes that are quintessential of the era. Wall light fittings inspired by early 20th-century factory and warehouse lighting, embrace classic vintage industrial styles. These characterful fixtures bring warmth and authenticity to interiors while enhancing the atmosphere of kitchens, lounges, bathrooms, and other living spaces.
Endon Berenice Bright Nickel & Faceted Glass Wall Light
The Berenice Wall Light in bright nickel, with an elegant arm and stunning faceted glass beautifully disperses light. This fitting is ideal for creating an inviting living space with matching flush and pendant ceiling fittings available in the Berenice range.
Choosing the Right Bulb for Your Wall Light
Pairing your wall lights with the right bulb can really make a difference. Vintage or industrial style fittings can really come to life when styled with exposed filament LED bulbs. Their visual appeal features glowing LED arrays that are shaped to replicate traditional incandescent filaments, highly complimentary for more exposed light fittings.
Modern light fitting styles are complemented by a wide range of both decorative and functional bulb designs. Popular options include sculptural bulbs with unique shapes, smoked or coloured glass, and frosted finishes that provide a soft, even light. Statement globe bulbs are also widely used, with their large round shape creating an attractive feature when left on display without a lampshade. These bulb styles are ideal for minimalist, contemporary, and modern interiors.
Choosing the right wall lights can transform the look and feel of your home while improving both style and functionality. Whether you're deciding where to place wall lights, choosing between hardwired or switched fittings, or selecting the best light bulbs for your space, every detail helps create the perfect ambience. By combining thoughtful placement with the right lighting solutions, you can achieve beautiful, practical interior lighting that enhances every room and complements your home's décor.