Wall lights are a great way to give a whole new dimension to a room’s lighting scheme and can enhance the overall décor and atmosphere when place carefully. Although table lamps and floor lamps are a popular due to their ease to install and the fact that they offer attractive lower lighting levels for relaxing in the evening, not everyone has the spare surface/floor which these need and in a minimalist setting plug in lamps can add unwanted clutter. With fitted wall lights, you can achieve the same mood lighting effect as plug in lamps, with sacrificing precious space. Smaller wall light fittings, especially flush wall light fittings are great for getting sufficient light into more awkward places such as hallways and alcoves.
Wall lights generally are available in ranges to match other lighting fitments, either central pendants or table lamps and floor lamps. There are some very striking wall lamps to be found matching chandelier fitments and these look lovely in any room with classic furnishings, as they provide a restful lighting level as well as the sparkle and twinkle of a chandelier. So whatever your taste you can create a flowing and consistent light plan. If you are fitting wall lights after setting your general lighting style you might not be able to find a fitting that matches your existing light fittings, but in this case it is easy enough to get a plain wall lamp option which will blend into the rest of your interior design even though it’s not a direct match. In these cases there more neutral fittings such as plain polished chrome or antique brass fittings with plain shades often make for great “stand alone” pieces and don’t necessarily have to be consistent with the decor to make a positive impact.
Wall lamps can be wired to a single switch or can be individually wired to switch on one by one. This second option is best suited to a multi-purpose room, such as a lounge-diner, as this will give you the opportunity to effectively close off one area if it is not currently being used. For example, when you have finished eating and are at the ‘lounge’ end of the room watching TV or chatting, the dining area can have the wall lights switched off, making it more of a background. This option is also an energy saver, of course as bulbs are not lit needlessly. If you enjoy knitting or embroidery work, the single lamp option is also very handy. Seated below one you can see clearly what you are doing while the rest of the family can enjoy television in the lower light levels which make for restful viewing.
All in all when it comes to wall lights, the positive far and away out-weigh the negatives. If you have the option and the means then why not take the plunge and reap the rewards of this versatile light fixture.