WALL LIGHTS FAQ

HOW HIGH DO I FIT A WALL LIGHT?

Generally, you should aim to fit your wall light so that the top sits at eye level, or just above, so you avoid the glare of the bulb.

However, you will need to consider the height of your ceiling, the size of your fitting and features like windows, doorways, architraves and dado rails.

As a rule of thumb, wall lights should be positioned around 152-170cm (5-5.5ft) above floor level and around 250 - 300cm (8-10ft) apart, space allowing.

If in doubt, use the 'rule of thirds' and fit the lights two thirds the way up the wall.

To find our more, see our Complete Guide to Lighting Your Home.

HOW BRIGHT SHOULD MY WALL LIGHTS BE?

We recommend using LED bulbs as they are not only the most energy efficient but also don't give off much heat so are ideal for use with glass and fabric shades.

Generally, we suggest the maximum strength should be no more than 12W LED (equivalent to a 100W incandescent).

Most Standard Bayonet (BC, B22) or E27 screw type LEDs are around 5/6W LED (60W incandescent), while Small Bayonets (SBC, B15) or screw type (E14) LEDs  are around 4W LED  40/50W incandescent).



Discover more at Everything You Need To Know About Bulbs

WHERE CAN I USE WALL LIGHTS?

In any room where you'd like ambient lighting. They are great for living rooms to create a sense of warmth and cosiness.

As bathroom wall lights for tasking light around a mirror. Remember, they need to be IP-rated if near a sink, bath or shower.

As hallway lights to brighten up a dark or narrow corridor.

In bedrooms to save space on bedside tables and provide adequate reading light.




For more information, see our What to Consider for Wall Lights guide.

WHY USE A WALL LIGHT?

VERSATILE - wall lighting is the most versatile of light types as it can work on many levels providing ambient light for a even spread of light in a room; accent lighting for a feeling of warmth and security, and if you opt for a fitting with a focused beam of light - tasking light for reading or working by.

LAYERED LIGHT - combined with ceiling lights and table and floor lamps, they help create those all important layers of light in a scheme, ensuring a balanced spread of light and sense of harmony across the space.

CHARACATER - Wall lights are ideal as reading lamps in a bedroom or gentle tasking light near a mirror in a bathroom. They make a great alternative to table lamps for a bedside; fitted over a work surface or preparation area in a kitchen and near a sofa, fireplace or shelving unit for characterful living room wall lights.

WIDE CHOICE OF DESIGNS - at Jim Lawrence we make wall lights that plug in, wall lights with a switch, IP rated bathroom wall lights and kitchen wall lights that instil your space with soft, relaxing illumination. Our wall lighting is available in a range of designs - modern, industrial, traditional, rustic and vintage - to suit your personal style, and come in a choice of painted, plated and antiqued finishes in brass, black, nickel, polished and copper.

WHAT DO YOU NEED?

Consider what you are using your lighting for. Do you need general ambient lighting for a warm, cosy atmosphere?

Are you looking for brighter, tasking light for reading or working by? Or, are you wishing to create decorative accent lighting to showcase a piece of artwork, furniture or introduce dramatic impact?

PICK YOUR PLACEMENT

Start the process by thinking about where you want your to lighting to come from.

Consider the amount of natural light that is available and think about where you have dark corners or shadowy sections that need brightening up.

If you want to create a reading corner or home study, consider fitting a wall light above or near this spot so you have a specific light source.

BULB POINTING UP OR DOWN? 

Wall lights with bulbs that point upwards (uplights) are designed to throw their light upwards along a wall and will open up the room giving it more sense of space.

Wall lights that point down (downlighters) cast the majority of their light downwards creating a brighter, more specific and dramatic pool of light that will make a room feel cosy and is better as tasking lights for reading or working

INCORPORATE MULTIPLE LAYERS

Remember, wall lights should be just one of the layers of light you use in a room.

Incorporate other layers using floor and table lamps for accent lighting and spotlights and directional lamps for tasking light.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN FITTING WALL LIGHTS

SPACE LIGHTS EVENLY - use wall lights as ambient lighting by spacing them evenly around a room. Living rooms are often formal in character so lights look better fitted in pairs next to architectural features like windows, doors, fireplaces and chimney breasts, alcoves or works of art.

PLACE THEM AT EYE LEVEL - to eliminate glare, consider fitting them at standing eye level, or just above and choose a wall light that looks as good straight on as it does from the side.

CONSIDER THE DIMENSIONS OF THE ROOM - opt for flush wall lights if you have a narrow space, or wall lights with more generious arms if you have a wide room. If you have a room with a high ceiling, you may need to fit wall lights higher than normal to keep a sense of proportion and when lighting a landing or hallway, opt for a decorative desgin to add visual interest.

INCORPORATE MIRRORS - bounch light around your hallway by hanging a mirror inbetween your wall lights.

For more lighting ideas, see our full collection of Wall Lights

What is a flush fitting wall light?

In order to retain the classic look of a traditional wall light, many of our designs have a flush fitting back plate enabling them to sit neatly up against the wall.

However, in order to achieve this, the plastic connector box will need to be housed within a cavity in the wall as there is physically no room within the light fitting itself.

This means that if you do not already have such a cavity, need to consult a qualified electrician about fitting a mounting box into your wall.

For more information about our backplates, lighting pattresses and mounting boxes, see our guide: Our Backplates Explained