Smart Ways to Work Wall Lights Into Your Living Room
Mood-setting sconces cast light where it’s wanted while keeping horizontal surfaces clear
A good lighting design 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 feeling with soft mood lighting. When you’re renovating your space, it’s a good idea to consider wall lights. They cast light around the walls and free up surfaces in the room. We picked out some of our favorite ideas for using wall lights in the living room to give you inspiration for your own home.
Embrace a simple vintage look. The owners of this eclectic living room carried the midcentury style of the furniture to the retro-look wall lights. A molded 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 work well. The sconces are stylish but don’t fight against the other bright elements in the room.
There’s a lot going on in this space, so the simple design and choice of white work well. The sconces are stylish but don’t fight against the other bright elements in the room.
Elevate your room with elegance. These wall lights are the perfect fit for the traditional living room. The metallic finish lends an aura of opulence, but the simple, elegant shape keeps the look understated.
The designers used symmetry to continue the soothing vibe of the space, with wall lights on both sides of the central fireplace and mirror.
The designers used symmetry to continue the soothing vibe of the space, with wall lights on both sides of the central fireplace and mirror.
Try a dynamic duo. No space for two wall lights? Opt for one lamp that has multiple light sources instead. This rotating, two-armed wall lamp is very 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.
Make it minimal. If you’re aiming for a pared-back space, you’ll probably want to keep furnishings to a minimum. The elegant gray 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 include surfaces for table lamps, a wall light is the ideal solution.
This one has a cord to plug into an outlet, 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.
10 Ways With Wall Lights That Don’t Need to Be Wired In
This one has a cord to plug into an outlet, 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.
10 Ways With Wall Lights That Don’t Need to Be Wired In
Flank a piece of art. If your living room contains a special artwork, why not enhance it with sconces? The clever designers of this space managed to find lighting that perfectly matches the painting. The gold discs, each with an exposed bulb in the middle, resemble the metallic bubbles on the artwork. The wall lights highlight the canvas on both sides but are subtle enough to let the painting take center stage.
Show off your gallery. Another way to feature artworks that 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 little 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 gives you more flexibility to move your paintings around.
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 gives you more flexibility to move your paintings around.
Contrast dark and light. Make the most of your sconces by painting the surface they’re on a dark shade. These lights give the paneled wall a glow that adds interest and depth to the surface. The combination makes the room feel intimate, and the charcoal hue is balanced by the dark floor and fireplace.
Illuminate 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 cozy corner like this one is ideal.
The angled wall lamp is 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 to angle the light just right.
The angled wall lamp is 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 to angle the light just right.
Blend sconces into the walls. If you want ambient lighting that doesn’t impinge on your space, try some classic wall lights like these. With their flush design, the lights sit neatly on the wall, blending into the surface. During the day, you may not even notice the lampshades and be able to 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.
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Browse wall lights
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Read other stories about lighting design
Browse wall lights
There are a lot of earthy tones and natural surfaces in this room, so the choice of an angled wall light in black and burnished gold provides a cool contrast. The sharp lines of the light add an industrial edge to the laid-back space.