Wall lights

10 mistakes to avoid with a wall light

By the Alméa team 12 October 2026 8 min read

A badly chosen or badly placed wall light dazzles, looks lost on the wall or will not stay fixed in the partition. Here are the 10 mistakes to avoid with a wall light, from fitting height to fixing, each with the right approach.

The wall light is a demanding fitting: it sits at eye level, you see it both on and off, and its position is final once the wall has been drilled. A mistake of a few centimetres is noticeable every day.

Before drilling, take the time to check these ten points. They apply to a bedside wall light as much as to a row of wall lights in a hallway.

Contents

Fitting the wall light at the wrong height
Choosing a size out of proportion
Forgetting the direction of the light
Ignoring the IP rating
Using the wrong wall plug
Overlooking the cable outlet
Spacing wall lights badly
Mixing colour temperatures
Forgetting the switch
Letting the bulb dazzle
In short
Frequently asked questions

1. Fitting the wall light at the wrong height

Too low, the wall light dazzles people sitting down and gets knocked. Too high, it lights the ceiling and loses its purpose. The height depends on the room and the use: it is generally measured at the centre of the light or at the fixing point.

Position	Indicative height from the floor
Living room, dining room	1.60 to 1.80 m
Hallway, entrance	1.70 to 1.90 m
Bedside	about 1.20 to 1.50 m, depending on the height of the bed
On either side of a mirror	at eye level, around 1.60 to 1.70 m
Staircase	about 1.80 to 2 m above the stair nosing

For the distance from the ceiling, see our article how far from the ceiling to fit a wall light, and for the bedroom our guide to lighting a headboard.

2. Choosing a size out of proportion

A small wall light on its own on a large bare wall looks lost. A bulky wall light in a narrow hallway becomes an obstacle. Take two dimensions into account: the width in relation to the wall and the projection, that is the depth from the wall. In a passage less than a metre wide, keep the projection small, around 10 to 12 cm. Our guide to wall light shapes and sizes helps you find the right scale.

Decorative spiral staircase shown off by elegant lighting

3. Forgetting the direction of the light

A wall light that shines upwards makes the room feel larger and creates a soft atmosphere. A wall light aimed downwards lights a specific area. A double-beam wall light does both. Choosing without thinking about it means risking a reading light that does not light the book, or a hallway light that leaves the floor in shadow.

Light output	Effect	Recommended use
Upwards	Ambience, ceiling that opens up	Living room, bedroom, low ceiling
Downwards	Useful, precise light	Hallway, staircase, reading
Up and down	Graphic effect, wall highlighted	Entrance, living room, outside wall
Diffuse (stone, glass, fabric)	Soft halo all around	Bedside, dining room
Adjustable	Adjustable beam	Reading light, desk, painting

The principle is explained in detail in direct, indirect and grazing light.

4. Ignoring the IP rating in damp rooms or outdoors

A standard indoor wall light, rated IP20, has no place near a shower or on an outside wall. In the bathroom, the zones defined by the wiring regulations (BS 7671) set a minimum rating: IPX4 in zone 2, for example. Outdoors, aim for at least IP44 under a porch roof and IP65 on a wall exposed to rain. Everything is summed up in our article to understand IP ratings in 5 minutes.

Natural stone, wood or metal: wall lights for every wall and every mood.

Discover our wall lights

5. Using the wrong wall plug

A concrete wall plug will not hold in plasterboard, and a stone wall light weighing several kilos will pull out an undersized fixing. Identify the wall before buying the plugs: plasterboard, hollow brick, concrete or old stone. For stud partitions, follow our guide to fixing a wall light to plasterboard, and for heavy models the one on the weight of a stone wall light.

Wall	Suitable fixing	Watch out for
Plasterboard	Metal cavity anchor	Reinforcement behind the board for a heavy wall light
Hollow brick	Long expansion plug or chemical anchor	Drill without hammer action so as not to break the cavities
Concrete, solid brick	Standard nylon plug	Masonry bit and hammer drill
Old stone	Long plug or chemical anchor	Aim for the stone, not the crumbly joint

SafetySwitch off the circuit at the breaker, check that there is no voltage with a tester and locate any hidden cables before drilling. Follow the wiring regulations (BS 7671) and call an electrician if in doubt.

6. Overlooking the cable outlet

The wall light's backplate must cover the flush box, and the cable must come out in the right place. If the wire comes out at 1.50 m and you want the wall light at 1.75 m, you will have to chase the wall or choose another model. Check the size of the backplate and the position of the cable entry. If there is no outlet at all, our guide to hiding a wall light cable suggests alternatives.

Minimalist living room with a grey sofa and cushions in soft light

7. Spacing wall lights badly

Wall lights placed too close together create overlapping pools of light. Too far apart, they leave dark areas between them. In a hallway, spacing of 2 to 3 metres is a good starting point, to be adjusted to the output. On either side of a bed or mirror, keep them symmetrical about the centre line. Our article on spacing wall lights in a row gives the calculations.

Round wooden bedroom wall light, Nordic style, Maison Alméa — Discover it in the shop: Round wooden bedroom wall light, Nordic style

8. Mixing colour temperatures

A 4,000 K LED wall light next to a 2,700 K lamp paints two lights on the wall that do not go together. Choose the same colour temperature as the other sources in the room, generally 2,700 to 3,000 K in living spaces. Mineral materials such as travertine look especially beautiful in warm white.

Alméa tipIf your wall light has a built-in LED, note its colour temperature and buy the bulbs for the other lights in the room to match. It is easier than the other way round.

9. Forgetting the switch

A bedside wall light you have to get up to switch off, or a pair of hallway lights without two-way switching, quickly becomes a nuisance. Think about the switch when choosing: switch built into the light, wall switch, pull cord or touch control. Our guide to adding a switch to a wall light presents the options.

Elegant living room with a grey sofa and abstract art, walls that deserve good lighting

10. Letting the bulb dazzle

A bare bulb visible at eye level, in a hallway or near a sofa, tires the eyes. Choose a model that hides the source, a low-intensity filament bulb or an orientation towards the wall. The lower the wall light, the more the source should be hidden.

Alméa tipBefore drilling, hold the wall light against the wall at the planned height, switched on, and sit in your usual spot. If the source bothers you, raise it or change its direction.

Clean lines and controlled light output for a wall that never tires the eyes.

See the modern and design collection

11. In short

Getting a wall light right starts with measuring: height, projection, spacing and position of the cable outlet. Then come the direction of the light, the IP rating and the colour temperature. To go through each step, from choosing to fitting, see our complete guide to wall lights and our method to install a wall light step by step.

Frequently asked questions

At what height should a wall light go in a living room?

Generally between 1.60 and 1.80 m from the floor. Above a sofa, fit it high enough that the source cannot be seen from the seat. Under a low ceiling, a model that shines upwards can go a little lower.

What distance between two wall lights?

In a hallway, allow 2 to 3 m between two wall lights. On either side of a bed or mirror, place them symmetrically, a few centimetres from the edges of the furniture or frame.

Which IP rating for a bathroom wall light?

It depends on the zone: IPX4 at least in zone 2, and a suitable light in zone 1. Outside the zones, a standard rating is enough, but IP44 gives more peace of mind in a damp room.

How do you fix a heavy wall light to plasterboard?

Use metal cavity anchors suited to the load or, better still, fix it to a stud or a reinforcement placed behind the board. Above a few kilos, a reinforcement is strongly recommended.

Can you fit a wall light without a cable outlet in the wall?

Yes: with a plug-in model whose cable is dressed or hidden in trunking, or with a rechargeable cordless wall light. Creating a new light point is possible, but means running a new circuit.

Which colour temperature for a wall light?

2,700 K for a warm atmosphere in the living room and bedroom, 3,000 K for the entrance or dining room. Keep 4,000 K for work areas such as a kitchen worktop or a workshop.

How many lumens for a wall light?

For ambient light, 200 to 400 lumens are enough. To light a hallway or a reading spot, aim for 400 to 800 lumens depending on the area and the colour of the walls.

Do you need an electrician to fit a wall light?

Not necessarily if there is a cable outlet and you are confident with basic wiring, with the breaker switched off. To create a new light point, or if in doubt, call an electrician.

Further reading