How To Select Wall Lights For Your Home

Which Room Is Ideal For Wall Lights?

Wall lights can be placed in any space, classic or contemporary, to add a decorative element, set a mood or provide task lighting.  

In a bedroom, install a wall light on either side of a bed to provide the perfect light for reading or as a decorative piece radiating a warm glow to create a sanctuary into which you can retreat at the end of a long day.

In place of table lamps, a bedside wall light allows for a clean, uncluttered aesthetic, leaving the bedside table free to place your books, phone or glasses.

In a Hamptons-style bathroom, a clear, textured glass wall light above a vanity mirror is perfect, whereas in a contemporary powder room, an oversized mid-century modern-inspired wall light may best suit the space. If simplicity and function is your priority, a minimalist, linear LED wall light or an integrated LED vanity mirror will be the ideal choice, providing perfectly even task illumination for makeup application and grooming. 

A bold feature wall sconce in an entrance will welcome your guests as they step inside your home, complementing a foyer lantern or void chandelier. A hallway can be warmly lit by a row of strategically placed wall lights, highlighting artwork or photos, while guiding the way through the interior of your home.

Add a touch of elegance or drama to a dining room, by placing decorative, sculpted wall lights on either side of a dining table that can be dimmed to create the desired atmosphere when hosting your family and friends.

In the living room, wall lights maintain a neat and sophisticated look as the cables and plugs are out of sight. Place them near your favourite armchair where you like to read or create a warm and inviting atmosphere in the lounge area where you entertain your guests. 

In the kitchen, complement your island bench pendants with a pair of wall lights over your kitchen sink or turn them on in your dining area to set the mood for a relaxed family meal.  

Selecting The Perfect Light Fitting

Well-chosen wall lights will add lasting visual appeal to your space as well as serve all your functional needs. Consider these factors when deciding:

Purpose
A wall light can serve many different purposes, from lighting a vanity to highlighting artwork and guiding your way up a staircase or through a hallway.

The desired purpose of a wall light will influence the type of light that you select. Decorative wall lights can add a design element while providing a warm ambient light, whereas an adjustable LED wall light will provide optimal illumination for a specific task, from reading to applying makeup.

Spacing
Application depends on the size of a space however, wall lights are often evenly spaced between 150 – 200 cm apart, allowing each piece to cast its own individual glow or shadow. A bright light should be installed above eye level to produce optimal light output without the glare, whereas a feature wall may have an artistic installation of lights placed at various different levels to create a powerful statement.

Size
When selecting a wall light for any room, the scale of the space needs to be taken into consideration. In a vanity area, an oversized wall light will beautifully complement a large mirror, whereas in a narrow hallway, a more compact wall sconce is ideal.

Selecting The Perfect Light Fitting

Interior style and finishes

A wall light may be selected to seamlessly blend into an interior or stand out as a feature piece. The texture and finish of a wall light will either complement or contrast its surrounding space, enhancing design elements. You’ll find an endless variety of contemporary, classic and vintage-inspired wall lights in every colour, finish and shape to suit every style – Hamptons, mid-century modern, rustic farmhouse, French Provincial, classic elegance, transitional, minimalist, Art Deco or Hollywood glam – at Custom Lighting.

Mid-century modern-inspired designs with curved, geometric forms add an effortless, vintage touch to a contemporary or modernist space.  

For traditional style interiors, wall lights in a polished nickel or soft winter gold finish combined with crisp fabric or textured glass shades add a classic touch of elegance to a bedroom, dining room, hallway or bathroom.

For a more luxurious interior that will impress, a Schonbek or Swarovski crystal wall light will add sparkle, perfectly complementing a magnificent crystal chandelier.     

If you would like assistance in creating a lighting plan with world-class lighting designs, we encourage you to book a personal consultation with one of our highly experienced lighting consultants today.