What are wall lights used for?
Wall lights are used for reading, ambient light, wayfinding, picture lighting or to pick out architectural features. They can free up surface space beside the bed and sofa and set an even rhythm along a hallway. The right model depends on whether the light is to be directed, diffused through a shade or bounced off the wall. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed.
Which wall lights are most popular?
The models include Avant Wall Light Large, Covet Wall Light, Leighton Wall Light Small and Rousseau Wall Light. They range from graphic and slender to more decorative. Choose by the direction of the light and the wall width available. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed. Judge the result in both daylight and evening light before you decide.
How high should a wall light be mounted?
The height is governed by the use. Beside a bed or reading chair the light should reach the page without glare. In a hallway the light can sit higher and aid orientation. Beside a mirror the fitting's height needs to suit the face. Start from the actual seated or standing height and mark the position on the wall before installation. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed.
Which wall light works as a reading light?
A reading light should have a directed or adjustable arm and be placed so that neither hand nor body shades the page. Clarkson Wall Light Medium and Frankfort Articulating Wall Light are more functional than purely decorative models. Check the reach of the arm and where the switch ends up in relation to the seat. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed.
What sets different wall lights apart?
The difference lies in the direction of light, the projection from the wall, the shade and the mounting. A double fitting such as Clemente Double Wall Light spreads light across a greater width, while Palati Wall Light Small is more concentrated. Always measure the light's projection so that it does not get in the way in narrow passages. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed.
Can I get help choosing a wall light?
Yes. Use the visualisation on the product page when you are logged in, then mark the intended height and width on the wall. Bring photos, measurements and details of the electrical outlets to the showroom at Sturegatan 20 in Stockholm. There we can compare models from Visual Comfort, AERIN and Vaughan. Test the position with tape on the wall and check it both seated and standing before the electrical point is fixed.
Reading light beside the bed and armchair
Beside a bed or armchair the light needs to be controllable without the lamp taking up table space. Calliope Wall Light Tall and Calliope Wall Light Short show how the same expression can be adapted to different heights. In the bedroom the light should be positioned according to the actual height of the mattress and headboard, not a general wall measurement.
Hallway, passage and architectural rhythm
In the hallway several smaller wall lights can create an even rhythm and reduce the need for strong ceiling light. Presidio Wall Light Petite suits where the depth needs to be kept down, while Melange Elongated Wall Light gives a clearer vertical accent. Always check doors, mirrors and walking lines before drilling.
Art, mirrors and directed light
For art and mirrors the light needs to be positioned with precision. Eaton Linear Wall Light can cast a broader light across a surface, while Aspect Library Wall Light works in a more directed way. Avoid reflections by testing the angle against glass and gloss paint. On dark wallpapers a wall light can add drama, but it often needs to be complemented with general lighting.
Scale and combinations
A large wall light needs air around it. Petrel Wall Light 30 inch demands more wall space than Asalea Single Wall Light. Combine the wall light with lighting at ceiling or floor level so that the room gains several layers. In the living room a pair of wall lights can frame art, while the dining room often uses them to balance a dominant ceiling light.
A pair or a single fitting
A pair of wall lights creates symmetry and suits a mirror, bed or a central piece of furniture. A single fitting, on the other hand, can mark out a reading corner or a work of art. Decide whether the light is to be part of the architecture or a free-standing accent. If several lights are placed in a row, spacing and height need to be consistent, otherwise the wall looks restless even when the fittings are small.
Projection in narrow rooms
In a corridor or hallway the light's depth from the wall is decisive. A wide shade or long arm can end up at shoulder height and become an obstacle. Measure not only the width of the fitting but also its maximum projection, shade included. Mark out the volume with cardboard and walk past it. A shallow fitting can still give good light if the wall or shade helps to spread it.
Electrical point and later adjustment
Wall lights require more precise planning than freestanding lamps. Once the electrical point is set, the height is hard to change. Take into account the headboard, pictures, mirror and future furnishing. Adjustable models offer some flexibility, but they need room to move. Also check whether the switch sits on the fitting, on the wall or is controlled centrally.
Light across materials
Side light brings out texture. On a plastered wall or textile wallpaper it can give beautiful depth, but also reveal unevenness. Polished stone and mirror can create reflections. So test the direction of the light before final mounting. A shade that gives both up- and downlight can create distinct beams, while a diffuse shade gives softer transitions and suits better where the wall is not meant to dominate.
Plan symmetry with real measurements
Symmetry looks simple in a picture but demands exact measurements in the room. Measure from the furniture, mirror or artwork the lights are to relate to, not just from the corner of the wall. Check that the centres of the fittings land correctly even if the wall surface is asymmetrical. Beside a bed the position should follow each sleeping place, while lights beside a mirror often need to balance the mirror's frame. If a wall light is used on its own, a somewhat freer position can work, but it should still have a clear relationship to the nearest piece of furniture.
Maintenance and access
Wall lights often sit where dust and fingerprints show clearly. Check that the shade and light source can be reached without dismantling the fitting. In stairwells and tall hallways, easy cleaning can be decisive. An attractive but hard-to-service model otherwise risks giving poorer light when the shade or glass is not kept clean.
The final measurement check
Finally, compare the light's spread with the width of the wall. A slender fitting may need to sit closer to an object, while a double model can carry a larger wall surface. Check how the beam looks both fully lit and dimmed so that it does not create unintended hard edges.
Coordinating several wall lights
When several fittings are used in the same room, shades, colour temperature and brightness should be coordinated. They need not be identical, but should give a similar rhythm. Try switching them on together with ceiling and table light so that the wall is not over-lit relative to the rest of the room.
