Interiors
Common wall light mistakes:
How to perfectly style and place wall lights in your home
By Matthew Currington, Technical Director,
The Lighting Superstore
Wall lights, or sconces, are key in interior lighting design. They are ideal for creating ambient lighting and save space compared to table and floor lamps. They create niches of light too which add cosiness to a room, which large ceiling lights lack. However, improper placement and poor style choices can make them look out of place or less functional.
One frequent mistake is installing lights at the wrong height. Lights placed too high or too low leave an odd void beneath or above them.
Wall lights should generally be mounted between 150-180cm from the floor for even light distribution without being at direct eye level. However, in rooms that have unusually high ceilings, this approach might need to be tailored.
Overcrowding wall lights make a space feel cluttered. Rather focus on strategic placement – each light should have a clear purpose, such as highlighting art or flanking a dining sideboard for ambient evening lighting.
Choose lights that complement the room’s décor, enhancing rather than detracting from the overall design and maintaining a sense of flow throughout. Selecting the appropriate colour lightbulb will have a dramatic effect on the room's atmosphere too. For example, bright white lights are suitable for either side of a bathroom vanity mirror but not alongside a bed. As different rooms serve different functions, wall lights should reflect this in the positioning and direction of the light they emit. So, considering this, here is a top tip for each room in your home.
#1 Living room
Often wall lights are positioned as pairs on either side of a fireplace, bookshelf, artwork or sofa to create balance with ambient lighting. But remember, if you’re positioning wall lights above a piece of furniture, the proportions of that item are important.
For example, a large console table with a single wall light looks poorly balanced. Rather, create balance with three lights mounted evenly along the length of the console table.
#2 Bedroom
Wall lights next to a bed are a great way to save space on the bedside table and offer ambient light for evening reading. However, if they are positioned too low and close to the bed, it can be a hazard.
Balance is key when positioning the light to ensure they are both easy to reach but also high enough to distribute the light effectively for reading. If the light is too low, it will cast light unhelpfully onto the bed and floor.
Some may prefer traditional wall sconces with decorative shades but others might prefer the extendibility of more modern options. Wall lights with string pull switches that are ideal for beside a bed as they are easier to access.
#3 Bathroom
The most important consideration here is the Ingress Protection (IP) rating which indicates how well a light fixture handles moisture exposure, and the needed rating depends on the bathroom zone.
Inside the bath or shower (zone 0), use a low-voltage light with IP67. For lights above the bath or shower up to 2.25m (zone 1), IP65 is required. Lights within 0.6m of the bath perimeter or 60cm of a tap or basin (zone 2) need at least an IP44 for splash resistance. Outside these zones, there are no specific IP requirements.
#4 Hallway
Spacing wall lights evenly along a hallway will ensure consistent lighting throughout, making them perfect for highlighting artworks or architectural details while adding a touch of elegance to an in-between space.
Choose fixtures that aren’t too bulky to avoid making the hallway feel claustrophobic and also consider what you want to achieve with these lights. If you want to enhance the perceived size of the space consider directing the light upwards and not downwards.
For increased focus on artwork, and to create a gallery-like feel, place wall lights above an artwork.
#5 Dining Room
In the dining room, a dimmable central chandelier light positioned in the middle of the dining table is dramatic and beautiful. But complementing this drama with well-positioned dimmable wall lights is a great way to enhance the elegance and decorative feel of the room, especially as there are so many styles to choose from.
Use these wall lights to frame an entrance, buffet console table or fireplace, adding sophistication, charm and ambience.
#6 Home office
A home office should be both functional and cosy. Wall lights can enhance this warmth, supplementing desk lamps and reducing the need for a glaring central light. If a writing desk is placed up against a wall, a horizontal sconce that directs light downwards is best positioned above it and will add both a decorative and functional touch.
In a home library, decorative wall lights mounted on the vertical dividing beams of the bookshelves can add warmth and create the perfect reading spot with an armchair positioned underneath.
Matthew Currington, Technical Director
