Author: Mark Tregunna
When it comes to transforming a room, few features make as much of an impact as well-chosen lighting. Wall lights, in particular, offer a unique blend of functionality and style.
Whether you’re aiming to create ambience in your living room, add a touch of elegance to your hallway, or introduce reading lights into your bedroom, wall lights are versatile fixtures that deserve thoughtful selection. But with so many designs and finishes available, how do you find the perfect fit?
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about selecting the ideal wall lights for your home, using examples from top UK brands.
Discover everything you need to know about decorative wall lighting. Get expert tips, creative ideas and answers to the top FAQs to help you choose the perfect wall lights for your home.
What can you use Wall Lights For?
Wall lights can serve multiple purposes, before you select a particular style or finish, consider what role your wall light will play in the room.
- Ambient lighting: Used to create a general glow, usually alongside ceiling lights.
- Task lighting: Ideal for reading, working, or accentuating specific areas.
- Accent lighting: Highlights artwork, architectural features, or textured walls.
Example:
If you’re looking to add ambient lighting in a hallway, the Cagney Wall Light is an excellent choice. With its circular wall bracket design and antique brass finish, it gently diffuses light and adds a refined touch to your foyer.
Where Should Wall Lights be fitted?
Common placements include hallways, living rooms and dining rooms, but they can also be used to flank features or furniture within your home such as mirrors, beds, fireplaces or artwork.
Example:
The Nye wall light in brushed natural brass is shown below, either side of a piece of wall art. The angular design and mellow brass finish draw the eye to the artwork rather than distract from it. The light through the clear glass shades will illuminate the canvass at night and transform it into a spectacular feature.
How High Should Wall Lights be placed?
Generally, they should be installed around 1.5m-1.7m from the floor, but this may vary based on use or ceiling height. It’s best practice to have them at eye level to avoid unnecessary glare.
Can I use Wall Lights as a Main Source of Light?
While wall lights can provide sufficient lighting on their own, they are best paired with ceiling lights, which will provide an option for brighter lighting if required.
When using wall lights to light a room without ceiling lights, it’s important to have two different types. Wall mounted up lighters with bounce light off the ceiling and down into the room, whilst wall lights that shine directly into the space offer a second layer of illumination.
What Styles of Wall Lights are Available?
Wall lights should complement your decor, whether it’s modern, industrial, traditional, or something eclectic. Here’s how to match your wall light styles with common interior themes:
- Modern & Minimalist: Choose clean lines, chrome or matt black finishes.
- Traditional & Heritage: Opt for brass or antique tones, and fabric shades.
- Industrial: Think exposed bulbs, cage frames, and distressed metals.
- Art Deco or Classic: Go for polished finishes, frosted glass, and geometric shapes.
Example:
The Nile Wall Light in polished chrome with ivory shade adds a glamorous touch to any modern or Art Deco inspired interior. It’s especially striking when installed on either side of a statement mirror.
In Which Rooms do Wall Lights Work Best?
They can be used in any room in your home, but different rooms require a different approach.
Living Rooms:
Wall lights can be used to create mood lighting or to highlight architectural details in a living room. Placing them symmetrically on either side of a fireplace or artwork provides balance and visual appeal.
The Hoopla Wall Light features a stylish pewter and brown design, offering a contemporary style that’s perfect for framing mirrors or artwork.
Bedrooms:
Use wall lights as an alternative to bedside table lamps in your bedroom. This saves space and brings a clean, hotel style look to your room.
This polished nickel plated wall light with adjustable reading spotlight is ideal for either side of your bed. The adjustable arm allows for directional light, while the fixed shade creates a soothing ambient glow.
Hallways and Staircases:
A row of wall lights can help create a welcoming path through your home and safely illuminating your stairs and landing.
Our Bombazine wall light in natural solid brass and opal glass blends elegance with practicality, especially in period-style homes.
What Finishes are available?
The finish of a wall light can make or break the overall look of a room. Here are some popular options:
- Brass & Antique Brass: Traditional and warm, perfect for classic interiors.
- Chrome & Nickel: Sleek and contemporary, great for bathrooms and kitchens.
- Black & Matt Painted Finishes: Bold and versatile, works well in both modern and industrial settings.
- Glass & Crystal: Adds a touch of elegance or sparkle, ideal for luxurious spaces.
Example:
This Angel polished chrome and crystal wall light with three tiers of crystal coffin drops adds a luxurious opulence to any lounge or dining area. Perfect for those who love a bit of sparkle.
Can I use these Wall Lights in my bathroom?
If you’re installing wall lights in a bathroom, always check the IP (Ingress Protection) rating. The closer the light is to a water source, the higher the rating needs to be.
- Zone 1 (above a bath or shower): Needs at least IP44, but preferably IP65 to protect from water ingress.
- Zone 2 (within 0.6m of a basin or any water source): Required to be at least IP44.
- Zone 3 (further than 0.6m away): No special rating is usually needed, however it’s often recommended that any lights you choose are rated to at least IP44 within zone 3 to ensure lights are protected from unintentional splashes.
Example:
See the Hampton Bathroom Wall Light (IP44 rated) which features a sleek chrome finish and clear glass shade, making it safe and stylish for use in bathrooms.
I’m Looking for Wall Lights that don’t need wiring in, are these available?
Yes, there are plug-in or battery operated wall lights available now, which don’t require hard-wiring by an electrician that are perfect for easy DIY upgrades.
Plug-in lights are simply attached to your wall and plug into a nearby electrical socket outlet. Battery operated lights are rechargeable and will detach from the wall bracket and charge using a USB cable before reattaching to the wall.
Example:
This wall light from Laura Ashley is finished in antique brass and features a ribbed glass shade. You just plug it in to a nearby power socket, attach it to the wall, and it’s ready to use. Shown here being used as a bedside wall light.
What is a Wall washer Light?
Wall washer lights are designed to channel the light upwards, downwards or both directions, so the light is projected onto the wall. They are a subtle way of adding illumination to your room, without glare or visible light source.
First, you need to decide whether you want your wall light to shine upward, downward, or in both directions.
- Wall mounted up lighters will wash your walls with light whilst creating soft, ambient illumination and some of the light will be bounced off the ceiling and back into your room.
- Down lighters are more focused and work well for task lighting and are often directional.
- Dual direction (up & down) lights provide balance and visual interest.
Example:
The Lando Wall Light provides light both up and down, creating a striking wash effect on the wall, ideal for creating a dramatic atmosphere in lounge areas or hallways.
Does my ceiling height affect my choice of wall lights?
Wall lights can be used in both low and high ceiling rooms, especially when paired with matching ceiling lights. In rooms with low ceilings, wall lights help spread the light horizontally, creating a brighter, more open feel without overwhelming the room and should be paired with flush or semi-flush ceiling lights.
For high ceilings, they add warmth and balance, preventing the space from feeling too open or cold. Matched with ceiling lights, the combination provides an elegant feel while pulling the whole room together, making for a polished uniform aesthetic.
Can my Wall Lights be switched independently?
Yes, wall lights can be operated separately from the other lights in the room if they have a switch built in. This is useful when you’re trying to create a low level of light or a relaxed, cosy ambience.
Common types of switches are:
- Pull Cord – Found on bathroom wall lights for safety, but are the most common and can be used in any room.
- Rocker Switch – This is an on/off switch, usually discreetly situated on the wall bracket.
- In-line Switch – A rocker style switch situated along a cable and can often be found on plug in wall lights.
- Touch Switch – A gentle touch onto a pre-determined part of the light may turn it on or off.
If the light fitting you have set your heart on has an integrated switch, but you don’t need it to be switched separately, the good news is that it can still be operated from your normal wall switch as long as the integrated switch is kept in the on position.
Can I Dim my Wall Lights or use Smart Bulbs?
If you’re creating a layered lighting scheme, being able to control brightness is key. Check whether the wall light is dimmable, and make sure it’s compatible with your dimmer type.
Smart home integration is also on the rise, many modern lights can now be controlled via apps or voice assistants due to the growing popularity of smart bulbs.
Can I Replace my Wall Lights Myself?
Fitting instructions are provided with each product we supply, and whilst it sounds easy to take a hard wired wall light down and put your new one on your wall, we would always recommend getting a qualified electrician in to do the work. It’s not always a case of live neutral and earth and if you don’t have the correct test equipment or tools, you risk damaging your wall or causing an electrical hazard.
Budget and Quality
Although it’s tempting to go for budget friendly options, investing in quality lighting can provide better longevity, aesthetics, and better overall quality by utilising premium materials. All of our featured brands offer excellent quality across a range of price points.
In Conclusion
Selecting the perfect wall light is about more than just aesthetics, it’s about balancing function, design and personal style. By understanding your room’s needs and exploring the diverse ranges offered by our trusted UK brand partners, you can confidently choose lighting that elevates your space and enhances your interior design.
Whether you’re illuminating a cosy reading nook or adding a touch of glamour to your hallway, there’s a perfect wall light for every corner of your home.