How To Set The Mood With Wall Lighting

Every home should have the right lighting to set the mood for any space. Good lighting design is important because it combines lighting from the ceiling and lamps around the home to create a layered lighting look which provides the depth and atmosphere to your space. This is especially true for both shared and private spaces; like living rooms or bedrooms. Both of these spaces should have soft mood lighting to evoke a sense of calm. 

However, aside from ceiling lights and lamps, you can also consider the oft-forgotten wall lights. Wall lights are a great addition to any room. They free up the much needed floor space in a room, while still providing a cast lighting look to light up your space completely. Plus, wall lights tend to make a room feel more inviting, and remains a key fixture in any layered lighting scheme. 

Today, we’re going to take a look at some of the ways you can light up your space and set the mood using wall lights. 

Before we start, remember to check out our store for the best lighting needs for your home.  You can also check out our selection of wall lights to brighten up your home here.

Go single

Sometimes, having a single wall light centered over a space is sufficient to light up most spaces. For example, in the living room, you can opt to have the wall light mounted over the sofas to help illuminate the seating area. 

The light provided will be sufficient to provide a contrast by reflecting off the surfaces of the room. The Kalicia LED Wall Sconces is a great fit if your room needs a bit of earthy tones, with its chrome finish providing an industrial look to the space. 

Go all in on vintage

Vintage wall lights are the new in-thing. Wall lights don’t only provide your guests with lighting, but they also serve as a focal point in your overall space design. Usually pairing off well with a minimalist design, the Boly Oil Rubbed Bronze Wall Light brings a classic design that will look great when paired with midcentury styled furniture. You may want to go simple, because the wall lights are stylish on their own. 

Flexibility and modular designs

Image from: Matchness

Flexibility and modularity are at the core of many modern wall lights. The Leon Polished Chrome Wall Light is an example of a wall light that can be used in a variety of styles and designs. These lights are also modular, in that you can combine the designs with other wall decorations to come up with different variations and combinations to suit your decor. With its metallic finish and frosted glass covers, this can be a simple and elegant look that will make your space shine. 

Go two for two

While wall lights can be an absolute space saver, there comes a time when practicality comes above it all. In this case, opt for a dynamic duo; a 2-light option that will not only be able to save space, but also provide you with multiple light sources. The Poleis 2-Light Chrome Wall Light is a great example of practicality with stunning design. It works great for rooms in which you may only have space for one light, and gives you a design that really makes a statement.

Showcase your art

If you are an avid collector of paintings and artworks, you can enhance and showcase your precious works of art with wall lights. By flanking your art with wall lights, you are able to highlight the painting in the center. The Kalicia LED Wall Sconces work very well in this aspect, as their unique design can enhance your artwork in the center. Another way you can feature your art is by using wall lights placed above the artwork to illuminate them. The Boly 1-Light LED Wall Light is subtle enough to highlight your artwork, while itself not being too prominent and taking away the focus from your art. 

Image from: Home Design Ideas

Make sure there is a contrast between light and dark

Make the most of your wall lights by painting the surface they’re on a darker shade. This will make sure that the wall lights give off a layered lighting look that adds more depth to the surface. Plus, when you contrast light and dark, the combination is able to give your room a more intimate and balanced look and feel. 

Blend wall lighting into the wall

If you want ambient lighting that doesn’t encroach into your space, go for a classic wall sconce like the Kalicia LED Wall Sconces. With their lean and upright design, they can be flush with the wall surface, blending in and giving your guests more focus on the rest of the room. Plus, the lights will be able to cast a soft flow on the wall surface to give you an overall cosy atmosphere. 

Conclusion

While wall lighting has its design benefits, it’s often one of the most overlooked lighting design choices for our homes. Considering that most homes have an eclectic mix of  chandeliers, pendants, lamps or a combination of these options, perhaps it’s time to consider bringing in wall-mounted light fixtures for their usefulness, practicality and of course, amazing design. 

What did you think about our article? We’d love to hear from you. Share your thoughts in the comment section below! If you haven’t already done so, take a look at our store for all your lighting needs at the most affordable prices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What room is the best place for a wall sconce?

Wall sconces are very versatile fixtures that can look and perform well in almost any room in the house. Install wall sconces in the hallway, stairway, bathroom, bedroom, dining room, living room, entry, flanking a fireplace, or in the basement.

Image from: Lightology

2. How do I light art on my walls?

You have several options for lighting art and pictures on the wall. The route you go depends on the nature of your space, as well as the amount of time and money you are willing to spend. 

 You can opt to use the wall monorail, ceiling monorail, or track lighting systems. This gives you the flexibility to add more lighting on the art work or move/change the artwork along the rail, and it is a great solution if you do not yet know exactly where the art will go. You can also go for the recessed adjustable fixtures, which can be more costly as they need to be installed within the ceiling itself. Here’s a tip when lighting artwork on the walls; be sure that the light hits the art at a 30 degree angle. 

3. What do I need to know about lighting my stairs with a wall sconce?

Install wall lighting in a stairway to illuminate a walking path and prevent injury, as well as provide decorative accents in the area. Step lights mounted directly into a stair's rise, or recessed above the steps in an adjacent wall are popular choices for a clean, modern look. 

Wall sconces are also a nice touch and illuminate the area adequately. When choosing a wall sconce on your stairs make sure all sides are enclosed to prevent glare - you don't want to stand at the top of the staircase and be able to look directly at the bulbs of the sconces below. Also be aware of how far the sconce projects from the wall. If your sconces project further than 4" from the wall, mount them 6' above the step on the wall.