Wall lights

At what height

The general reference is 1.60–1.70 m from the floor: eye level for someone standing.

Beside a headboard, drop to 1.20–1.40 m so you can read. Flanking a mirror, place them at the eye level of whoever is looking, never above: light from overhead casts shadows under the eyes.

What size

In a hallway or beside a mirror, 25 to 30 cm is enough.

As the main piece on an empty wall, from 40 cm upwards. A useful rule: the wall light should not exceed a third of the width of the furniture or mirror it accompanies.

How many

In a hallway, one every 2–2.5 m so the light does not break up between them.

In a bedroom, two symmetrical lights either side of the bed work better than one in the middle. Over a sofa, a single off-centre light has more character than two.

Direct or indirect light

A wall light that washes the wall creates a soft halo and makes the room feel larger.

One that throws light downwards is good for reading but leaves the rest in shadow. Translucent materials do both at once.

Colour temperature

2700 K is warm, restful light: bedroom, hallway, sitting room in the evening.

4000 K is neutral, the one that does not distort colour: bathroom, kitchen, work area.

6000 K is cool and alerting; use it only where you need to see precisely.

Before you buy

Check where your cable outlet is: moving a light point on an already painted wall is the expensive part.

And look at the IP rating if it is going in a bathroom. IP20 is for dry areas; the splash zone needs more protection.