Buying guide

The best wall lights for every room.

Wall lights for six spots around the house, from the sofa to the bathroom mirror. Every pick comes from our own range, and every figure is taken from that product's listing.

Where's it going?

By Enso Lighting · Updated 23 October 2026

Viena, our pick for a living room. See it

The quick list

  1. 1 Best soft glow Viena Flush Uplighter Wall Light £32
  2. 2 Best natural stone Alabaster Globe Wall Light £185
  3. 3 Best for reading in bed Callas Wall Spot Light £56
  4. 4 Best for a shared bed Defoe Recessed LED Wall Light £110
  5. 5 Best for a narrow hall Halo Ribbed Wall Sconce £80
  6. 6 Best for a tight landing Wara Travertine Wall Light £105
  7. 7 Best for a run of lights Fay Modern Square Up Down Wall Light £22
  8. 8 Best pair by a mirror Visby Caged Bathroom Wall Light £125
  9. 9 Best above a mirror Isola LED Bathroom Wall Light £115
  10. 10 Best natural texture Bloc Travertine Up & Down Wall Light £85
  11. 11 Best statement Gatsby Art Deco Wall Light £310
01

In the living room

What matters here

  • Fix them 1.5–1.7 m up, measured from the finished floor.
  • Put uplighters at 1.7–1.8 m so nobody looks into the bowl.
  • Sit on the sofa and check: if you see the bulb, move it.
All living room lighting (205)

Best soft glow

1. Viena Flush Uplighter Wall Light

Viena Flush Uplighter Wall Light — Glass, Antique Brass

£32 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Viena Flush Uplighter Wall Light

A frosted opal-swirl glass half-bowl on an antique brass bracket, 30.5 cm wide. It sends all of its light up to the ceiling, which spreads it back across the room, so nothing shines at you from the sofa. Takes one E27 bulb and dims with a dimmable one.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES, bulb not included
Best height
1.7–1.8 m from the floor
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 30.5 cm · H 13 cm · D 15 cm
Material
Metal / Glass
Finish
Antique Brass
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Uplight only, no glare from seats
  • Opal glass hides the bulb
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • Projects 15 cm from the wall
  • E27 bulb not included

Best natural stone

2. Alabaster Globe Wall Light

Alabaster Globe Wall Light — Satin Brass

£185 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Alabaster Globe Wall Light

A sphere of alabaster on a satin brass arm. Lit, the stone glows from within and shows its veining, so the fitting is the decoration. At 18 cm wide and 12 cm deep it sits comfortably beside a sofa or either side of a chimney breast, and it dims.

Specifications

Light
G9
Best height
1.5–1.7 m from the floor
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 18 cm · H 23 cm · D 12 cm
Material
Alabaster & Solid Brass
Finish
Satin Brass
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • The whole alabaster globe glows
  • 12 cm deep, tidy beside seating
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • A glow, not a reading light
  • Veining varies, so pairs never match exactly
02

Beside the bed, for reading

What matters here

  • Fix reading lights 90–110 cm above the top of the mattress.
  • Set each light towards the reader's outer shoulder, not over the pillow.
  • Choose a light with its own switch, one for each side.
All bedroom lighting (181)

Best for reading in bed

3. Callas Wall Spot Light

Callas Wall Spot Light — Antique Brass, Opal Glass Shade

£56 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Callas Wall Spot Light

An opal glass shade on an antique brass coil stem that turns and holds its angle, so you can aim the light at the page. It has an on/off switch on the fitting, which lets one person read while the other sleeps. It stands 15 cm out from the wall and takes one G9 bulb.

Specifications

Light
G9
Best height
90–110 cm above the mattress
Size
W 10 cm · H 15 cm · D 15 cm
Material
Metal
Finish
Antique Brass
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • On/off switch on the fitting
  • Opal glass softens the beam
  • Head turns and holds its angle

Good to know

  • No dimming listed for this fitting
  • Hardwired, so an electrician fits it

Best for a shared bed

4. Defoe Recessed LED Wall Light

Defoe Recessed LED Wall Light — White, Adjustable Reading Spot

£110 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Defoe Recessed LED Wall Light

A recessed reading spot with a slim 6.7 by 16.9 cm face that sits back in the wall. The small head swivels to aim 300 lumens of warm 3000K light at one pillow, and folds flush when you are done. Fit one each side and each beam stays on its own page.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 300 lumens, 3000K
Best height
About 100 cm above the mattress
Size
W 6.7 cm · H 16.9 cm · D 14 cm
Material
Aluminium
Finish
White
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Warm 3000K, 300 lumens
  • Tight beam for one reader
  • Folds flush when not in use

Good to know

  • Recessed: needs a wall it can sit into
  • No dimming listed for this fitting
03

In a hallway

What matters here

  • Keep the projection under about 12 cm in a narrow hall.
  • Space them 2–2.5 m apart, centre to centre.
  • Stagger lights on opposite walls rather than facing them in pairs.
All hallway lighting (152)

Best for a narrow hall

5. Halo Ribbed Wall Sconce

Halo Ribbed Wall Sconce — Glass, Antique Brass

£80 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Halo Ribbed Wall Sconce

A clear ribbed glass cylinder on an antique brass plate, 20 cm tall and only 8.3 cm wide. It projects under 9 cm, so shoulders clear it in a one-metre hallway, and the ribs lay soft vertical bands of light on the wall. One E14 bulb, dimmable.

Specifications

Light
E14 SES, bulb not included
Best height
1.5–1.7 m from the floor
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 8.3 cm · H 20 cm · D 8.7 cm
Material
Antique brass plate / clear ribbed glass
Finish
Antique Brass
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Projects under 9 cm
  • Ribbed glass bands light on the wall
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • E14 bulb not included
  • Max 6W, so an LED bulb only
04

On the stairs and landing

What matters here

  • Measure 1.7–1.8 m straight up from the tread below each light.
  • Walk down at night: you should see every tread, never a bulb.
  • Switch stair lights from both the top and the bottom.
All stairs lighting (12)

Best for a tight landing

6. Wara Travertine Wall Light

Wara Travertine Wall Light — Semi-Circular, Beige

£105 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Wara Travertine Wall Light

A half-moon of travertine that projects just 5 cm, so nobody catches it on the turn of the stairs. Light grazes the wall above and below rather than out into the stairwell, which keeps glare out of your eyes on the way down. One G9 bulb, dimmable.

Specifications

Light
G9, bulb not included
Best height
1.7–1.8 m above the tread
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge (with dimmable bulb)
Size
W 17.5 cm · H 13 cm · D 5 cm
Material
Travertine
Finish
Travertine Beige
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Projects just 5 cm
  • Light grazes up and down the wall
  • Natural travertine, each one differs

Good to know

  • G9 bulb not included
  • Max 5W, so an LED bulb only

Best for a run of lights

7. Fay Modern Square Up Down Wall Light

Fay Modern Square Up Down Wall Light — Black with Gold

£22 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Fay Modern Square Up Down Wall Light

A small black square, 8 cm across and 8 cm out from the wall, lined in gold inside, with crisp beams above and below. It is plain enough to repeat every 2–2.5 m up a flight, and the closed body keeps the G9 bulb out of sight as you come down.

Specifications

Light
G9
Best height
1.7–1.8 m above the tread
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 8 cm · H 10 cm · D 8 cm
Material
Aluminium
Finish
Black with Gold
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Compact: 8 cm wide, 8 cm out
  • Gold lining warms the light
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • Tight beams: a stripe, not a wash
05

In the bathroom

What matters here

  • Use IP44 or higher in zones 1 and 2.
  • Zone 2 runs 60 cm out from the bath or shower, to 2.25 m.
  • Light the mirror from both sides at face height, 1.5–1.7 m.
All bathroom lighting (13)

Best pair by a mirror

8. Visby Caged Bathroom Wall Light

Visby Caged Bathroom Wall Light — Antique Brass, IP44

£125 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Visby Caged Bathroom Wall Light

An antique brass cage around a glass shade, rated IP44 so it can sit beside the basin in zone 2. At 11 cm wide it fits either side of a mirror, where a pair lights your face evenly instead of from above. One E27 bulb, dimmable with a dimmable bulb.

Specifications

Light
E27 ES
Best height
Face height, either side of the mirror
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge (with dimmable bulb)
Size
W 11 cm · H 28.6 cm · D 16.2 cm
Material
Metal & Glass
Finish
Antique Brass
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • IP44, so fine in zone 2
  • 11 cm wide, pairs by a mirror
  • Cage throws a soft pattern

Good to know

  • Max 6W, so an LED bulb only
  • Projects 16.2 cm from the wall

Best above a mirror

9. Isola LED Bathroom Wall Light

Isola LED Bathroom Wall Light — Travertine & Gold, IP44

£115 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Isola LED Bathroom Wall Light

A 60.8 cm bar of warm 2700K light with travertine end blocks, made to run along the top of a mirror. It gives 740 lumens of even light over the basin and is rated IP44, so it is fine in zone 2. The LED is built in and dims on a trailing-edge dimmer.

Specifications

Light
LED built in: 740 lumens, 2700K
Best height
Just above the mirror
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge
Size
W 60.8 cm · H 9 cm
Material
Travertine and metal
Finish
Gold
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician
IP rating
IP44

What we like

  • IP44, so fine in zone 2
  • 740 lumens, warm 2700K
  • LED built in, dimmable

Good to know

  • Lights from above, not from the sides
  • Suits a mirror about 60 cm wide or more
06

Up and down on a feature wall

What matters here

  • Centre closed up-and-down lights around 1.6 m from the floor.
  • Choose a textured or panelled wall: grazing light shows the surface.
  • Set a pair at exactly the same height, centred on the feature.
All up and down wall lights (11)

Best natural texture

10. Bloc Travertine Up & Down Wall Light

Bloc Travertine Up & Down Wall Light — Sand Beige

£85 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Bloc Travertine Up & Down Wall Light

A small block of travertine, 18 cm tall, with a G9 lamp at each end that grazes light up and down the wall. Grazing light picks out the grain of the stone and the texture of the wall behind it, which is what makes a feature wall read after dark. Dimmable.

Specifications

Light
2 × G9, bulbs not included
Best height
About 1.6 m from the floor
Dimmable
Yes · Trailing edge (with dimmable bulb)
Size
W 8 cm · H 18 cm · D 8 cm
Material
Travertine (natural stone)
Finish
Sand beige
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Two lamps: one up, one down
  • Natural travertine, each one differs
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • Two G9 bulbs, not included
  • Max 5W per lamp

Best statement

11. Gatsby Art Deco Wall Light

Gatsby Art Deco Wall Light — Glass, Champagne

£310 Free UK delivery over £40 · 30-day returns
Quick look: Gatsby Art Deco Wall Light

A curved brushed-champagne frame holding glass rods, 32 cm tall. Lit, it throws geometric shadows above and below, so the wall itself becomes the pattern. At 20 cm wide and 12 cm deep it wants a wall with room around it, and it dims.

Specifications

Light
E14 SES
Best height
1.6–1.8 m from the floor
Dimmable
Yes
Size
W 20 cm · H 32 cm · D 12 cm
Material
Metal And Glass
Finish
Brushed Champagne
Fitting
Wired in by an electrician

What we like

  • Geometric shadows up and down
  • Art deco glass rods
  • Dimmable

Good to know

  • Projects 12 cm: not for a tight hall
  • Needs clear wall around it to read well

Questions we get asked

How high should wall lights be?

Fix the centre of the fitting 1.5–1.7 m above the finished floor, roughly eye level. Go to 1.7–1.8 m for uplighters and open-topped shades, and on stairs measure 1.7–1.8 m up from the tread below.

How far apart should wall lights be?

Space them 2–2.5 m apart, centre to centre, along a hallway or a long wall. Pairs either side of a bed, mirror or fireplace are centred on that feature and set at exactly the same height.

How high should bedside wall lights be?

Measure from the top of the mattress, not the floor: 90–110 cm clears the headboard and angles the light down at the page. Set each one towards the reader's outer shoulder.

What IP rating does a bathroom wall light need?

In zones 1 and 2, which include the wall within 60 cm of a bath or shower up to 2.25 m, a fitting needs at least IPX4, and IP44 meets that. Outside the zones no rating is specified, though IP44 is good practice in a steamy room.

Do I need an electrician to fit wall lights?

Swapping an existing wall light like for like, with the circuit isolated, can stay DIY. A light in a new position, and most bathroom work, is a job for a registered electrician. A rechargeable wall light needs no wiring at all.

Which bulb should I use in a wall light?

Check the cap (G9, E14 or E27), the maximum wattage and whether a bulb is included on the listing. A warm 2700K LED suits most rooms, with 3000K at a bathroom mirror for true skin tones.

Not sure yet?

Let the light finder narrow it down.

A few questions about your room, then a short list of lights that fit.

Find your lightor email help@ensolighting.com