Want to change how your room looks? Try LED wall lighting. It's easy. It's cheap. It works wonders.
I put LED wall lights in my kitchen last year. What a difference! Now I have them all over my house. Let me tell you why they're so great.
What Is LED Wall Lighting?
LED wall lighting means lights that go on your walls. Not the ceiling. Not the floor. Just walls.
LED means Light Emitting Diode. These are tiny light makers. They use very little power. They last for years. They stay cool to touch.
Wall lights come in lots of types:
- Sconces
- Reading lights
- Wash lights
- Picture lights
- Accent lights
Each type does something different. Some shine up. Some shine down. Some do both.
Benefits of LED Wall Lighting
Why pick LED wall lighting? So many reasons!
Save Money
LEDs use 75% less power than old bulbs. My electric bill went down right away. One LED can last 25,000 hours. That's years of use!
Fit Any Style
There's an LED wall light for every home style. Modern. Rustic. Classic. Fancy. Simple. You name it.
Great For Small Rooms
No floor space? No problem. Wall lights don't need any room on your floor. Perfect for tiny apartments. Great for narrow halls.
Change The Mood
Want bright light for cooking? Done. Soft light for movies? Just dim them. Many LEDs change brightness. Some even change colors.
Show Off Your Walls
Wall lights make boring walls pop. They show off brick texture. They highlight art. They create cool shadows.
Types Of LED Wall Lights
Here are the wall lights people love most:
Wall Sconces
These are the most common. They mount flat to walls. They come in all styles. Some are very plain. Others look like art.
Reading Lights
These swing out from walls. Put them by beds or chairs. They focus light just where you need it. Perfect for night readers.
Wall Washers
These spread light evenly on walls. They make rooms feel bigger. They show off wall colors. Very popular in modern homes.
Picture Lights
These go above art pieces. They shine down on photos or paintings. They make art stand out. Museums use these a lot.
Outdoor Wall Lights
These are made for rain and snow. They light up your house from outside. They make paths safer. They keep burglars away.
Best Places For LED Wall Lighting
LED wall lighting works almost anywhere. Here are my favorite spots:
Living Room
Put wall lights on both sides of your TV. Or beside your sofa. They make movie nights better. They help when you read or craft.
Bedroom
Mount reading lights by your bed. No more big lamps taking up space. Your partner can sleep while you read. So handy!
Bathroom
Wall lights beside mirrors are best. They light your face evenly. No more shadows under your eyes. Great for makeup or shaving.
Hallways
Dark hallways feel scary. Wall lights fix this fast. Space them out along long halls. They guide your way at night.
Dining Room
Wall lights make dinner time special. Food looks better. Faces look warmer. Meals feel fancier with soft wall lighting.
Outside Areas
Light up your home's outside walls. Make your address visible at night. Keep steps and paths safe. Show off your landscaping.
How To Choose LED Wall Lighting
Not sure which lights to buy? Think about these things:
Light Direction
Where do you want light to go? Up lights make ceilings feel higher. Down lights help for tasks. Some lights do both.
Match Your Style
Pick lights that fit your home's look. Clean lines for modern spaces. Curves and details for older homes. The fixture shows even when off.
Right Size
Don't put tiny lights on huge walls. Don't put huge lights in small spaces. A good rule: wall lights should be about 1/4 as tall as your wall.
Light Color
LEDs come in three main whites:
- Warm white feels cozy (2700-3000K)
- Neutral white looks clean (3500-4100K)
- Cool white feels like day (5000-6500K)
Most people like warm white in living spaces. Cool white works in kitchens and work areas.
Brightness
For LED lights, check lumens not watts. For main lighting, get 300-800 lumens. For reading, try 400-1000 lumens. For accent lights, 100-400 lumens works.
Dimming
Want to change brightness? Get dimmable LEDs. Not all LEDs dim well. Check before buying. Make sure your dimmer switch works with LEDs.
Installing LED Wall Lighting
Ready to put up wall lights? Here's what to know:
Height Matters
Mount lights at these heights:
- Living room: 5.5 to 6 feet up
- Dining room: 5 feet up
- By a bed: 4 to 4.5 feet up
- Hallways: 6 to 7 feet up
Spacing Tips
Space hallway lights 8 to 10 feet apart. For pairs of lights, make sure they're even. Measure twice!
Wiring Issues
Replacing old lights? Easy. Adding new ones? You'll need wiring. Some new LEDs use batteries. Others plug into outlets. No wiring needed!
When To Call A Pro
Not sure about electrical work? Call an electrician. Safety first! Bad wiring causes fires. Better safe than sorry.
Cool Ways To Use LED Wall Lighting
Get creative with LED wall lighting! Try these ideas:
Mix Light Types
Use wall lights with ceiling lights and lamps. Turn some on, some off. Different combos for different tasks.
Light Up Texture
Have a brick wall? Stone? Wood panels? Wall lights show off texture. They create shadows that make flat walls pop.
Frame Features
Got a nice doorway? A built-in shelf? Wall lights draw eyes to special spots. They frame features like a picture frame.
Bounce The Light
Some wall lights point at walls or ceilings first. This gives soft, no-glare light. Very cozy. Very fancy looking.
Try Colors
Some LEDs change colors. Red for parties. Blue for movie nights. Green for holidays. Kids love these!
Go High Tech
Many LED wall lights work with smart homes now. Turn them on with your phone. Set timers. Link them to your TV or music.
Taking Care Of LED Wall Lights
LED wall lighting needs little care. But do these few things:
Quick Dusting
Wipe lights with a soft cloth monthly. Dust blocks light. It looks bad too.
Check Mounts
Make sure screws stay tight. Loose lights can fall. Check twice a year.
Wipe Glass
Clean glass parts with soap and water. Do this twice a year. Dry them fully before turning on.
Replace Bulbs
When LEDs finally die, match the old ones. Check size, base type, brightness, and color. Write down details before shopping.
Money Savings With LED Wall Lighting
Let's talk real savings. Old 60-watt bulbs cost about $5 per month to run. LED wall lighting uses just 9 watts for the same light. That's only 75 cents per month!
My hall has six lights. Switching to LEDs saves me $25 monthly. That's $300 yearly! The lights paid for themselves in months.
Many power companies offer rebates too. Ask yours! You might get money back for buying LEDs.
What's New In LED Wall Lighting
LED wall lighting keeps getting better. Here's what's coming:
Thinner Designs
New LEDs are super slim. Some are as thin as a pencil. They barely stick out from walls.
Smart Features
Newer wall lights have cool extras. Speakers. Phone chargers. Motion sensors. Camera links. All in one unit!
Health-Smart Lighting
Some LEDs now mimic sunlight patterns. They change from morning bright to evening warm. This helps your body's clock.
Green Materials
More lights now use recycled parts. Better for our planet. Some even use bamboo or other fast-growing materials.
Final Thoughts
LED wall lighting changes rooms fast. It's easy. It's cheap to run. It looks great.
I started with just two lights. Now I have them in every room. They save me money every month. They make my home look better.
Try LED wall lighting in just one room. See how you like it. I bet you'll add more!
Wall lights fill that middle space. They work between ceiling lights and table lamps. They complete a room's lighting plan.
LED wall lighting is the smart choice. It lasts years longer than old bulbs. It uses less power. It gives better light. What's not to love?
Ready to try LED wall lighting? Start with one room. Pick lights you really like. The right lights make all the difference.
LED Wall Lighting: Transform Your Home in Minutes