Smart Ways to Work Wall Lights into Your Living Room Scheme
Check out these illuminating wall light ideas to brighten your living space
Amanda Pollard
7 November 2017
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
A good lighting scheme combines ceiling lights with lamps to create a layered look that has depth and atmosphere. This is particularly important in a living room, where you want to evoke a calm feel with soft mood lighting. When you’re renovating your space, it’s a good idea to consider wall lights. They will cast light around the walls and also free up surfaces in the room. We’ve picked out some of our favourite ideas for using wall lights in the living room to help you get some inspiration for your own home.
Go for single measures
In this boho-style living room, the designers have opted for a single industrial-style wall light centred over the sofa to illuminate the seating area. The picture below is a good idea, as without something next to it the light might have looked a little lost on the vast blue wall.
There are a lot of earthy tones and natural surfaces in this room, so the choice of a black and burnished gold angled wall light provides a cool contrast. The sharp lines of the light add an industrial edge to the laid-back space.
In this boho-style living room, the designers have opted for a single industrial-style wall light centred over the sofa to illuminate the seating area. The picture below is a good idea, as without something next to it the light might have looked a little lost on the vast blue wall.
There are a lot of earthy tones and natural surfaces in this room, so the choice of a black and burnished gold angled wall light provides a cool contrast. The sharp lines of the light add an industrial edge to the laid-back space.
Embrace a simple vintage look
The owners of this eclectic living room have carried through the midcentury style of the furniture to the retro-look wall lights. A moulded polycarbonate shade is a classic design that looks great in the room.
There’s a lot going on in this space, so the simple design and choice of white works well. The lights are stylish, but don’t fight against the other bright elements in the room.
Find ideas for divine dining room lighting
The owners of this eclectic living room have carried through the midcentury style of the furniture to the retro-look wall lights. A moulded polycarbonate shade is a classic design that looks great in the room.
There’s a lot going on in this space, so the simple design and choice of white works well. The lights are stylish, but don’t fight against the other bright elements in the room.
Find ideas for divine dining room lighting
Elevate with elegance
In this traditional-style living room, the wall lights the designers have chosen are the perfect fit. The metallic finish adds a feeling of opulence, but the simple, elegant shape of the lights keeps the look understated.
The designers have used symmetry here to continue the calm feel of the space, so the wall lights help to balance the central fireplace and mirror.
In this traditional-style living room, the wall lights the designers have chosen are the perfect fit. The metallic finish adds a feeling of opulence, but the simple, elegant shape of the lights keeps the look understated.
The designers have used symmetry here to continue the calm feel of the space, so the wall lights help to balance the central fireplace and mirror.
Try two ways
No space for two wall lights? Opt for one lamp that has multiple light sources instead. This rotating, two-armed wall lamp is super practical in this space, where only one alcove is available. The arms can be angled wherever they’re needed to direct light around the room. It’s not just functional, of course – a light like this is unusual enough to make a stunning design statement in the room. It’s taken this already beautiful space and made it even more unique.
No space for two wall lights? Opt for one lamp that has multiple light sources instead. This rotating, two-armed wall lamp is super practical in this space, where only one alcove is available. The arms can be angled wherever they’re needed to direct light around the room. It’s not just functional, of course – a light like this is unusual enough to make a stunning design statement in the room. It’s taken this already beautiful space and made it even more unique.
Make it minimal
If you’re aiming for an ultra pared-back space, you’ll probably want to keep furnishings to a minimum. The elegant grey sofa here looks lovely on its own without a side table cluttering up the area next to it. So when you don’t want to add surfaces for table lamps, a wall light is the ideal solution.
This one has a lead to plug into a socket, making it stylish and practical. The gold shade and arm add a shiny accent to the neutral space, while keeping the whole area streamlined and simple.
Discover ideas for updating your bedroom wall lights
If you’re aiming for an ultra pared-back space, you’ll probably want to keep furnishings to a minimum. The elegant grey sofa here looks lovely on its own without a side table cluttering up the area next to it. So when you don’t want to add surfaces for table lamps, a wall light is the ideal solution.
This one has a lead to plug into a socket, making it stylish and practical. The gold shade and arm add a shiny accent to the neutral space, while keeping the whole area streamlined and simple.
Discover ideas for updating your bedroom wall lights
Frame an artwork
Is there a special piece of artwork in your living room? Why not enhance it by framing it with wall lights? The clever designers of this space have managed to find lighting that perfectly matches the painting. The gold discs, each with an exposed bulb inside, resemble the metallic bubbles on the artwork. The wall lights punctuate either side of the canvas, but are discrete enough to let the painting take centre stage.
Is there a special piece of artwork in your living room? Why not enhance it by framing it with wall lights? The clever designers of this space have managed to find lighting that perfectly matches the painting. The gold discs, each with an exposed bulb inside, resemble the metallic bubbles on the artwork. The wall lights punctuate either side of the canvas, but are discrete enough to let the painting take centre stage.
Show off your gallery
Another way to make the most of artworks you love is to use wall lights to illuminate them. Here, a track system allows slim lights to protrude out above each painting. The owners can enjoy their art in the evening in their own cosy gallery.
You could install a single light above each piece of art, but it’s important to mark out each location at the planning stage of a renovation. A track system like this one would give you a little more flexibility to move your paintings around.
Another way to make the most of artworks you love is to use wall lights to illuminate them. Here, a track system allows slim lights to protrude out above each painting. The owners can enjoy their art in the evening in their own cosy gallery.
You could install a single light above each piece of art, but it’s important to mark out each location at the planning stage of a renovation. A track system like this one would give you a little more flexibility to move your paintings around.
Contrast dark and light
Make the most of your wall lamps by painting the surface they’re on a dark shade. The lights here give the panelled wall a glow that adds interest and depth to the surface. It makes the room feel intimate and cosy, and the charcoal hue is balanced by the dark floor and fireplace.
Make the most of your wall lamps by painting the surface they’re on a dark shade. The lights here give the panelled wall a glow that adds interest and depth to the surface. It makes the room feel intimate and cosy, and the charcoal hue is balanced by the dark floor and fireplace.
Light up your reading area
When you’re planning the lighting for your living room, think about where you’ll need task lighting. If you like to read in the evening, for example, a cosy corner like this one is ideal. The angled wall lamp has been positioned between the bookcase and the window, so the owners can place their armchair below. The lamp can be pulled out with a concertina arm, in order to place the light at exactly the right angle.
When you’re planning the lighting for your living room, think about where you’ll need task lighting. If you like to read in the evening, for example, a cosy corner like this one is ideal. The angled wall lamp has been positioned between the bookcase and the window, so the owners can place their armchair below. The lamp can be pulled out with a concertina arm, in order to place the light at exactly the right angle.
Blend into the walls
If you want some ambient lighting that doesn’t impinge on your space, try some classic wall lights such as these. The flush design of the lights sits neatly on the wall, so it blends into the surface. During the day you might not even notice the lamp shades, and would focus on the rest of the room instead. In the evening, the lamps can be turned on to cast a glow on the wall surface.
Which of these living room wall light ideas are your favourites? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
If you want some ambient lighting that doesn’t impinge on your space, try some classic wall lights such as these. The flush design of the lights sits neatly on the wall, so it blends into the surface. During the day you might not even notice the lamp shades, and would focus on the rest of the room instead. In the evening, the lamps can be turned on to cast a glow on the wall surface.
Which of these living room wall light ideas are your favourites? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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