Wall lights guide: choose the right wall lights for your home with these top tips

By Dusk Lighting / February 10th, 2023 / There are currently 0 comments

Choosing the right wall lights relies on combining both aesthetic appeal and functionality, requiring you to consider ambience and purpose in a way that augments your home’s interior design.

Whilst ambient lighting is important for general illumination, there are other factors to consider when it comes to wall lights, including whether or not you need task lighting for focused activities or accent lighting to highlight certain aspects of your home, including architectural features.

Thankfully, when it comes to wall lights, the options are many, ranging from modern fixtures for contemporary spaces to classic sconces for traditional settings, with a range of colour temperatures, shades and other adjustable features available.

If you’re looking for wall lights for your home and need some guidance, this blog is for you: read on to find out how to choose the right wall lights for your home.

Table of contents

How do I choose wall lights that complement my interior design?
What style of wall lights should I choose?
What types of wall lights are ideal for hallways and corridors?
What are the advantages of dimmable wall lights?

How do I choose wall lights that complement my interior design?

When addressing this question, it’s important to think about the aspects of a home that fall under the bracket of ‘interior design’, from the size and layout of rooms to their aesthetic qualities, including ornaments, furniture, wallpapering and paintwork.

Living spaces, for example, generally use wall lights for mood lighting or altering the general ambience provided by overhead lights, meaning you can change the atmosphere depending on its use. Making use of sconces to bounce gentle pockets of light off the walls is the perfect way to do this, providing a soft glow if you’re relaxing or entertaining guests.

Kitchens and bedrooms are a little different from living spaces, as they often require focused lighting as well as lighting for ambience and mood. Whilst most wall light fixtures can help with the latter, focused lighting requires narrower directional lighting that can help you with a task, from chopping vegetables to reading.

What style of wall lights should I choose?

Your choice of wall lighting will largely depend on the style you’re aiming for in your home. Are you drawn to a minimalist design, or do you prefer a more striking, statement-making light fixture? The style you select will have a significant impact on the overall ambience of your space, so browsing through a wide range of wall lights should be your first port of call.

The materials of your wall lights also play an important role in your design. Wall lights with a wood finish complement neutral tones for a calm, soothing atmosphere, while galvanised finishes can add a bold, modern touch.

Finally, when selecting wall lights, think about the lighting effect you want to achieve. Exposed bulb fixtures are ideal for creating a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, whereas concealed bulbs offer focused illumination.

How should I install wall lights in my hallways and corridors?

Choosing the right hallway wall lights can help you create a warm, inviting atmosphere in your home, providing linear spaces with welcoming, even lighting throughout. Regardless of whether you’re lighting short corridors or long, broad hallways, the key to getting the ambience right is through even spacing and height.

What is the recommended spacing between wall lights?

As a general rule of thumb, hallway lights should be spaced between six and eight feet apart, as this ensures even illumination throughout the corridor. Prioritising function is essential due to hallways being primarily functional spaces, so be sure to go for consistent lighting over lighting that is solely aesthetic.

How high should wall lights be installed?

Once you’ve decided on the distance between each fixture, installing hallway wall lights at eye level is generally considered best practice, as this prevents glare and creates a more comfortable, less straining ambience.

What are the advantages of dimmable wall lights?

Dimmable wall lights offer several benefits over traditional lighting, including comfort, energy efficiency, and extended longevity.

Not only do they allow you to adjust brightness, but they also reduce glare and eye strain, helping create a more comfortable environment. They are particularly effective in bedrooms and living spaces, allowing you to make use of lower brightness levels whilst promoting relaxation, saving energy in the meantime.

For even more control over your wall lights, dimmable LED bulbs can be integrated into smart lighting systems, which are controlled via an app on your phone, tablet or remote control, adding to their versatility, ease of use, and furthering their capacity for energy efficiency.