A wall light is fixed to the wall: it provides light without taking up floor or furniture space. It can serve as ambient lighting in the living room, a reading lamp instead of a bedside lamp, pathway lighting in a hallway or staircase, mirror lighting in the bathroom, or a welcome light outdoors, and it is also a decorative object, whether on or off. Adjustable, LED, rattan, industrial, or designer: find the wall light that suits your interior, with a 2-year warranty, free returns within 30 days, and shipping within 72 hours.
Why choose a wall light?
- It frees up space. Fixed to the wall, it takes up no floor or furniture space, which is valuable in a bedroom, hallway, or small living room.
- It creates ambient lighting. Less direct than an overhead light, it softly illuminates the wall or room, upwards, downwards, or with indirect light.
- It decorates even when off. Rattan, wood, black metal, brass, glass, or fabric: it dresses a bare wall and stands out without being overwhelming.
- It complements the main lighting. Paired with an overhead light, pendant light, or floor lamp, it adds depth and zones of light.
- It adapts to every use. Reading, highlighting a painting, nighttime pathway lighting, mirror lighting, or entryway lighting: there is a model for everyone.
Wall light, ceiling light, pendant light: what's the difference?
The wall light is fixed to the wall and provides supplementary or ambient lighting. The ceiling light is fixed to the ceiling and generally illuminates the room. The pendant light hangs from the ceiling by a cable, rod, or chain. Generally, a wall light is used to complement a central light, or on its own in small spaces (bedroom, hallway, bathroom).
Which wall light for which room?
- Living room and dining room: several understated wall lights in wood, glass, or metal create a soft atmosphere around the sofa, a sideboard, or a painting. Light wood and frosted glass for a Nordic living room, black metal or brass for an industrial living room.
- Bedroom: a wall light with an adjustable arm or adjustable spotlight replaces a bedside lamp and frees up space on the nightstand. Choose a soft light, ideally dimmable.
- Children's room: a soft light and a model with playful shapes (cloud, star, animal), securely fixed and out of reach.
- Hallway and staircase: spaced wall lights mark the path and guide your steps, even at night with low or dimmed light.
- Bathroom: a wall light on each side of the mirror, or above, illuminates the face without shadows. Choose an IP rating suitable for the area.
- Kitchen: prefer stainless steel, brass, or glass, which are easy to clean, with neutral white (3000 to 4000 K) for functional lighting.
- Office: an adjustable wall light projects directed light onto the work surface. Choose neutral white and a dimmable bulb to reduce eye strain.
- Entryway and outdoors: models designed for outdoor use (IP65) illuminate the front door, patio, or garden. Some are solar-powered and require no wiring.
Browse the selection above and use the collection filters to find the wall light that suits your room.
What type and style of wall light should you choose?
- Adjustable wall light or wall light with an adjustable arm: you direct the light wherever you want, ideal for reading, working, or highlighting an object.
- Accordion wall light: its arm extends and retracts, practical for saving space in a bedroom.
- Reading wall light: designed for reading in bed or in an armchair, with direct light and sometimes a built-in switch.
- Wall light for bathroom mirror: waterproof and bright, with even lighting on the face.
- Staircase and pathway wall light: compact, to illuminate steps or the hallway with low lighting.
- Outdoor and solar wall light: waterproof, wired or wireless, for the front door, patio, or garden.
- Designer LED wall light: clean lines, flat panels, or geometric shapes, uniform light, and low energy consumption.
- Industrial wall light: matte black metal, brass, or tinted glass, for a loft or contemporary living room.
- Scandinavian wall light: light wood, soft lampshade, and natural materials for a warm atmosphere.
- Rattan or bamboo wall light: natural materials that filter the light and create plays of shadow, for a bohemian or natural style.
- Brass, gold, or crystal wall light: for an elegant and luminous touch, from understated chic to a more classic style.
- Baroque wall light: gilding, scrolls, tassels, or curved arms, for a living room, entryway, or bedroom with a classic and theatrical decor.
- Mediterranean wall light: wrought iron, ceramic, blown glass, or wicker, in white, terracotta, or blue tones, for a sun-drenched atmosphere.
- Retro, fabric, or country wall light: fabric lampshade, classic shapes, and soft colors, for a warm and timeless atmosphere.
A tip: look around the room and pick up a material or shade already present (wood from the furniture, metal from the handles). Stick to two or three finishes to keep the room harmonious.
At what height should a wall light be fixed?
The basic rule: you should not be able to look directly into the bulb, neither from the sofa nor from the bed. A lampshade, diffuser, or frosted glass limits glare.
| Location | Reference height (from the floor) | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Living room, dining room (ambient lighting) | 1.60 to 1.80 m, in the upper third of the wall | Light upwards and downwards, away from the line of sight |
| Bedroom (reading in bed) | 1.10 to 1.30 m, or 60 to 80 cm above the mattress | Adjustable, on each side of the bed |
| Hallway | 1.60 to 1.70 m, spaced 2 to 3 m apart | Soft light to guide without glaring |
| Staircase, pathway lighting | About 30 to 50 cm above the level of the steps | Low and dimmed light |
| Bathroom (mirror) | About 1.60 m on each side of the mirror, at face height | Check the IP rating for the area |
| Kitchen (worktop) | About 1.60 to 1.70 m, 50 to 70 cm above the worktop | Washable material, away from grease splashes |
| Entryway | 1.60 to 1.80 m, on either side of a mirror or console | Warm light for a welcoming atmosphere |
| Office | Above the worktop, slightly to the side | Adjustable, to avoid reflections on the screen |
| Outdoors (front door, patio) | 1.80 to 2.10 m | IP65, out of reach of children |
These heights are indicative guidelines, not standards. Adapt them to your room, the size of the wall light, the ceiling height, and your eye level. Before drilling, hold the wall light against the wall (or a piece of cardboard cut to its size) and check the effect sitting as well as standing.
Outlet or direct connection: what's the difference?
- Wall light with cable and outlet: it is fixed to the wall and plugged in like a lamp, without any work on the electrical installation. The cable remains visible, unless hidden with a conduit or cable cover. This is the simplest solution, especially when renting.
- Wall light with direct connection: it is connected to the wires of the installation, which come out of the wall (wire outlet) and are connected by a terminal block or connector. The cable is invisible and the finish is neater, but you must cut the power and be comfortable with these connections. At the slightest doubt, entrust it to an electrician.
- No wire outlet in the desired location? A model with an outlet is the simplest. Creating a new electrical supply in a partition wall requires an electrician.
For the bathroom and outdoors, the connection must comply with the safety rules of the area: do not do it yourself if you are not sure.
Bulb, lumens, and light color
- The socket. E27 (large socket), E14 (small socket), or G9, common on wall lights. Some models have a built-in LED. The reference is on the product sheet.
- The maximum power. It is indicated on the wall light and on the product sheet: never exceed it.
- The lumens. Allow about 150 to 300 lumens per wall light for ambient lighting, 300 to 500 lumens for reading in bed, and 400 to 800 lumens in total around a bathroom mirror.
- The temperature. Warm white (2700 to 3000 K) for the living room and bedroom, neutral white (4000 K) for the hallway, kitchen, office, and bathroom mirror.
- Built-in LED or replaceable bulb. The built-in LED requires no maintenance, but the wall light itself is replaced at the end of its life. A socket lets you choose the shape, shade, and power.
Dimmer: you need a dimmable bulb and a compatible dimmer. An ordinary dimmer changes the intensity, not the shade: to also change the color of the light, choose a model with adjustable temperature or a remote control.
IP rating: what waterproofing for which room?
- IP20: dry rooms (living room, bedroom, hallway).
- IP44 at minimum: areas exposed to splashes, such as around a bathroom mirror.
- IP65: outdoors, or in the immediate vicinity of the shower or bathtub.
The required rating depends on the zone of the bathroom: at the slightest doubt, ask an electrician for advice.
Installing a wall light safely
- Cut the power at the circuit breaker.
- Mark the location and the wire outlet. Some wall lights simply plug into an outlet: no electrical installation is then necessary.
- Choose the right wall plugs according to your wall: expansion or toggle wall plugs for a plasterboard partition, suitable wall plugs for concrete or brick. The mounting must support the weight of the wall light.
- Connect the wires (phase, neutral, ground if necessary) with a terminal block or connector.
- Fix the wall light, insert the bulb, then restore the power and test.
At the slightest doubt about the mounting or wiring, call an electrician.
Maintenance
Before any cleaning, turn off, cut the power, or unplug, and wait for the bulb to cool down. Never use water directly on the wall light or any abrasive product.
- Rattan, bamboo, wicker: dust dry with a soft brush or a low-power vacuum cleaner. Avoid moisture, which damages and causes the fiber to swell. Keep them away from splashes.
- Fabric and textile lampshade: use a lint roller or a soft brush. For a stain, dab with a barely damp cloth, without rubbing.
- Black metal, brass, gold: wipe with a soft, slightly damp cloth, then dry immediately. Avoid stripping products, which dull the finish.
- Glass and crystal: clean with a microfiber cloth, a little glass cleaner on the cloth (never on the wall light), then wipe.
- Wood: dust with a dry or barely damp cloth. Avoid overly aggressive products and prolonged moisture.
- Kitchen and bathroom: clean regularly to prevent grease and limescale, with a soft cloth and a mild product.
- Bulb: dust it too, a dusty bulb illuminates less. Replace it with a bulb of the same socket and power equal to or less than the indicated maximum power.
Our commitments
- 2-year warranty on our lighting fixtures
- Unconditional returns within 30 days, return shipping costs borne by us
- Responsive customer service for your questions before and after purchase
- Shipping within 72 hours
Frequently asked questions
At what height should a wall light be fixed?
Between 1.60 and 1.80 m for ambient lighting, lower (1.10 to 1.30 m) for reading in bed. The important thing is that you cannot look directly into the bulb.
Can a wall light be installed without doing electrical work?
Yes, with a wall light equipped with a cable and an outlet: you fix it to the wall and plug it in. For a direct connection to the electrical network, cut the power and call an electrician if in doubt.
Which wall light should you choose for a bathroom?
A waterproof model with an IP rating suitable for the area (IP44 at minimum in areas exposed to splashes, IP65 near water), in neutral white to illuminate the face without shadows.
What light for reading in bed?
An adjustable wall light or wall light with an adjustable arm of 300 to 500 lumens, in warm or neutral white, ideally dimmable, fixed 60 to 80 cm above the mattress.
Which bulb for a wall light?
Look at the socket (E27, E14, or G9) and the maximum power indicated on the wall light. In the living room or bedroom, a warm white (2700 to 3000 K) is suitable in most cases.
What warranty and what deadlines?
Our lighting fixtures are guaranteed for 2 years, we ship within 72 hours, and you can return your order within 30 days, unconditionally, at our expense.
Ready to choose your wall light? Browse our selection of living room wall lights and find the model that will dress your wall.
Updated in October 2026 · Tips from the Lumiine team