Indoor Wall Lights

Wall lights are valuable additions to your home, especially in hallways and stairwells. They create a welcoming atmosphere and add mood lighting to dark corners.

A rough guide to spacing is one fixture every six feet, although the height of family members, ceiling and room size should be considered before deciding on placement.

Decorative

Lighting doesn’t have to be an afterthought or an aftermarket addition; it can be a design element all on its own. For example, a textured wall light can serve as a decor piece while also providing an efficient source of ambient, accent or task lighting. Designed to blend in with their surroundings, modern indoor wall lights often don’t draw much attention to themselves, making them a great option for spaces where the focus is on art and architecture.

Designers can elevate the look and feel of a room with innovative wall light designs that complement their aesthetic. For instance, a picture light with a hand-rubbed antique brass finish that wall lights indoor directs soft, indirect light towards a work of art can add a touch of sophistication to any space. Yufe used this type of fixture in a client’s home to brighten the gallery wall and enhance the dimensionality of each painting without overpowering them.

Traditional lamp-plus-fixture systems have a bulb at their core and deliver illumination through the use of a reflector. They are typically recessed into the wall and can be placed either vertically or horizontally, depending on the room’s layout. They are the most common type of wall sconce and can be found in spaces with contemporary, traditional or rustic style decor. They can be paired with table lamps, floor lamps, close-to-ceiling fixtures and chandeliers to create a layered lighting composition or they can stand on their own as a design statement in a narrow space or out-of-the-way area.

Task

A skillful mix of ambient, accent and task lighting is essential in a well-lit room. Wall sconces can be used to add accent to art, sculpture and architectural features or to light up a hallway or staircase. They also offer supplementary light for reading, writing or other tasks in living rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms. They can even serve as décor on their own or provide a homely feeling to non-residential spaces by bringing a sense of residential lighting to meeting rooms and waiting areas.

With an emphasis on industrial influences, rugged designs and a distinctly urban aesthetic, contemporary wall sconces are popular. Cottage, coastal, farmhouse and glam styles also find expression in this type of lighting. Some of the more functional options include up/down lighting to create a wash effect or spotlighting an artwork, piece of architecture or other decorative feature. They can also be used to light a stairway or hallway, providing directional lighting and helping to guide people as they move through a space.

Flank wall sconces are the ideal choice for task lighting around a bathroom vanity mirror, illuminating the area without casting shadows on safety sensitive surfaces. They can also free up floor or nightstand space in a bedroom or living room by eliminating the need for table lamps. Look for sconces with dimming capabilities and an adjustable arm to best suit your needs.

Ambient

Wall lights are a fantastic ambient counterpoint to general overhead lighting. They provide a balance of horizontal and vertical illumination to highlight decor and architectural features while serving as a visual accent. This layered composition of light can help create depth and dimension to any space, even in tight, narrow spaces where recessed ceiling fixtures would be too visually obtrusive.

While the versatility of indoor wall sconces makes them suitable as any type of lighting solution, there are some specific types of wall light fixtures designed for particular purposes. Picture wall lights like the PL1 are a simple and effective solution for illuminating portraits, paintings or other wall art. Wall-mounted uplighters, such as the naughty Nukav and playful Modular designs serve as orientation lighting along hallways and stairways.

Flush mount wall sconces are a great option for a variety of applications, ranging from uplights to accent lighting to wash lighting. Some models, such as the minimalistic PL2 by FLOS, offer up and downlights for a balanced distribution of light. Others, such as the Porta Wall Light by Naica, use a combination of slim lacquered tabs that splay outward and then meet in the middle for a unique architectural dome design.

Concealed

There are a number of wall light fixtures that blend in perfectly with your walls. They sit flush with the surface and are hidden from view during the day. These are ideal for illuminating bathrooms, hallways and stairways. Choose from recessed lighting, track lighting, uplight fixtures or sconce lighting. Once you understand your purpose for purchasing a wall light, it’s wall lights indoor important to consider the bulb type and brightness. Many of these luminaries are dimmable, allowing you to set the mood of your space at different times of the day.

Some types of wall sconces are designed to highlight artwork or photographs that hang on your walls. Picture lights and art glass sconces, for example, can add a dramatic uplighting effect and can become the focal point of the room. Some sconces also come with adjustable arms, making them perfect for focusing light towards a specific work of art.

Other types of wall sconces are designed for more general illumination. These are perfect for illuminating a bathroom or hallway, and they can be used to create a romantic ambiance. These types of sconces are often designed with a more minimalist aesthetic and can be a great way to add a pop of color in a space. Choose from a range of designs, including classic shapes like the Mini Glo-Ball Sconce and more contemporary styles by lighting design icons Michael Anastassiades, Antonio Citterio, Ron Gilad, Patricia Urquiola and Achille Castiglioni.