A wall light hangs where people walk, sit and lean, so a few centimetres matter more than they do with a pendant. Hang it too low and shoulders knock it; too high and the glow ends up on the ceiling. These are the measurements designers and lighting makers work to.
The three numbers
- Height: 150-170 cm to the centre. Mount the centre of the light about 60-66 in (150-170 cm) above the finished floor. In a hallway, a living room or a dining room, that puts the light close to eye level.
- Spacing: 1.8-2.4 m apart. Along a corridor, about 6-8 ft (1.8-2.4 m) between lights is the usual starting point. Some designers stretch it to 3 m (10 ft) in a long, simple hallway.
- Clearance: away from heads and shoulders. Wherever people sit or pass close to the wall, keep the light out of the space their head or shoulder will move through.
Room by room
| Where | Height | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Hallway, corridor, stairs | Centre about 150-170 cm from the floor | 1.8-2.4 m apart |
| Beside a bed | Just above shoulder height when you sit up: about 13-18 cm above the top of the headboard, or a centre near 150-165 cm | 15-30 cm out from the edge of the bed, one on each side |
| Above a mirror or a picture | About 5-13 cm above the top edge | Centred on it |
| Either side of a mirror | Centre about 150-170 cm | About 5-15 cm out from the edge |
| Living room, beside a sofa | Clear of seated heads and shoulders | Either side of a focal point: a fireplace, a picture, a console |
U·013 is rated IP20, for dry indoor spaces. In a bathroom it can only go outside the zones where your local wiring rules require a higher rating.
Our wall lights, measured
| U·013 | Aureole Sun VXS | Aureole Sun V1, V2, V3 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | 27 × 9 × 35 cm (W × D × H) | About 40 cm | About 97, 77 and 66 cm |
| Material | Plant-based PLA, high gloss, any RAL colour | Black quartz sand | Black quartz sand |
| Light | Integrated LED, 2000K, 5 W, dimmable | G9 LED bulb, 1800K, 2200K or 2700K | Made on request |
| Power | Hardwired, or a 2 m plug-in cord | ||
| Weight | 2.3 kg | ||
| Availability | Made to order, 4-6 weeks | In stock, dispatched within 5 working days | Lead time confirmed on enquiry |
Worked examples
- A 6 m corridor. Three U·013 about 2 m apart, centred along the length, each with its centre about 160 cm above the floor.
- A double bed. One U·013 on each side, 15-30 cm out from the edge of the bed, a little above the headboard. U·013 is at its best in pairs.
- A sofa wall. A pair either side of a picture, high enough that no one leaning back meets them. At 35 cm tall, a U·013 with its centre at 165 cm runs from about 148 to 183 cm.
- A statement wall. One Aureole Sun V1, about 97 cm across, centred on a console or a stretch of bare wall.
Wiring and fixing
- Hardwired. A wall light without a plug is wired into the mains by a qualified electrician, following the wiring rules of your country. The wall and the fixings must carry the weight of the lamp, plasterboard needs cavity fixings or a fixing into a stud, and the wall is checked for hidden cables and pipes before drilling.
- Plug-in. No wiring point where you want the light? U·013 also comes with a 2 m plug-in cord. Fix the cord to the wall so it can’t be pulled.
- Dimming. U·013 is dimmable. Use a dimmer suitable for LED lighting, and ask us if you are not sure which.
Questions
How high should a wall light be from the floor?
About 150-170 cm (60-66 in) to the centre of the light, which keeps it close to eye level.
How far apart should wall lights be in a hallway?
About 1.8-2.4 m (6-8 ft) apart. In a long, simple corridor some designers go up to 3 m.
How high should a bedside wall light be?
Just above shoulder height when you sit up in bed: roughly 13-18 cm above the headboard, 15-30 cm out from the edge of the bed.
Can I install a U·013 without new wiring?
Yes. It comes hardwired or with a 2 m plug-in cord. Fix the cord to the wall so it can’t be pulled.
Can a wall light go in a bathroom?
U·013 is IP20, for dry indoor spaces. In a bathroom, only outside the zones where your local wiring rules require a higher IP rating.
Sources Lights.com, how to choose and install wall sconces · MOD Lighting, how to position wall lights · Regina Andrew, wall fixture tips · Kin, how high should a wall light be
