Globe wall light

A globe wall light brings together a glass sphere, clear, opal or smoked, on a metal, iron or brass mount, and often replaces the bedside lamp by freeing up the nightstand. Mount it at shoulder height, on either side of the bed or sofa, then choose the socket according to the space available: E27, E14 or G9.

What is a globe wall light and what light does it give?

A globe wall light is a wall light whose source is enclosed in a glass sphere, set on a metal, iron or brass mount. Opal glass diffuses a soft light, clear or smoked glass lets the bulb show. The warm or cool result depends on the bulb, in an E27, E14 or G9 socket.

Glass globe wall light: what the sphere changes

The sphere decides what the eye perceives even before the bulb is switched on. Clear glass shows the source and draws the filament, smoked glass filters the light and lowers the contrast on the wall, opal glass smooths everything and avoids too harsh a light patch. The shapes found in our glass wall lights are mostly the ball, the globe and the round shape, with a few ovals and a few narrower tubes.

Opal globe wall light or vintage globe wall light: what light on the wall?

The light tone comes from the bulb, not the fixture: count around 2700 to 3500 K for a warm white, and 4500 to 6500 K for a cooler, crisper white. An opal sphere with a warm bulb gives an enveloping light, close to the old frosted glass wall light. The same globe in clear glass, on an iron or rope mount, takes on a rawer look, the one sought in a ball wall light.

Which wall light to light a living room well?

In a living room, the wall light serves as accent lighting: place it on either side of the sofa or a painting, at shoulder height. An E27 socket accepts a more powerful bulb than an E14 or a G9, and some models work with a dimmer. Two well-placed light points are worth more than a single point on the ceiling.

Powerful living room wall light: which socket and which wattage?

Look first at the socket: an E27 opens the door to common bulbs, easy to replace and available in more powerful versions. The E27 socket is the most frequent in the selection, ahead of the E14 and the G9. On consumption, LED models show low wattages for a result equivalent to a classic bulb, and some fixtures remain compatible with a dimmer. The maximum accepted wattage is shown on each product page.

Modern living room wall light: ball, globe or oval shape?

The contemporary style dominates the selection, often in black or gold. A black sphere on a slim arm stays discreet on a light wall, a gold sphere brings a warm reflection near dark furniture. For a very pared-back interior, also look at the modern wall lights with a reduced mount, and compare with the black models if you want a strong contrast.

Which globe wall light to choose for a bedroom?

In a bedroom, the globe wall light replaces the bedside lamp and frees up the nightstand. Mount it on either side of the bed, at the shoulder height of the seated person, with a warm light. Small formats with an E14 or G9 socket and opal globes avoid glare when reading next to someone who is sleeping.

At what height should a bedside wall light be installed?

Think in landmarks rather than absolute centimetres: the bottom of the sphere should sit just above the mattress, at shoulder height once seated, so you can read without lifting the bulb into your eyes. A long arm or an overhanging mount moves the source away from the wall and widens the halo. For a small space, aim for a compact model in bedroom wall lamp.

White or smoked glass globe wall light in a bedroom: what result?

White and sand white blend into a light wall and leave all the room to the light. Smoked glass, on the other hand, lowers the perceived brightness and gives a more muted atmosphere, appreciated in a bedroom and in an office. The Faro glass bedside wall lamp combines metal and glass in a 28 cm format, useful when space is short. For a lower and very graphic sphere, the Éclat Mystique in smoked glass measures 60 cm long in an E27 socket.

How to light a hallway, an entryway or a staircase with a wall light?

In a hallway, an entryway or a staircase, the wall light lights the circulation without taking up floor space. Choose a compact shape for narrow passages, an E27 socket for broader lighting, and plan a two-way switch at both ends of the path. Opal glass suits it better than clear glass, which glares when you walk along the wall.

Staircase wall light: at what height and at what distance?

Place the wall light at hand height along the stringer or on the staircase wall, so as to mark the steps without lighting them from the front. One point every two or three steps is enough to follow the path, and a two-way switch at the top and bottom avoids hunting for the switch. The staircase wall lights with a long mount also fix to a straight stairwell wall.

Hallway and entryway wall light: what light for a small passage?

In a narrow passage, a round or oval shape of shallow depth stays within the wall's footprint. In an entryway, place the light point high enough to light the face without casting a shadow on the floor, and at a distance from the door to clear the passage. Browse the hallway wall lights for compact formats.

Which wall light for a bathroom or toilet?

In a bathroom and in a toilet, humidity makes it necessary to check the protection rating on the product page: most models are IP20, reserved for dry rooms, while a few models show IP44 or IP54. An opal globe placed above or beside the mirror lights the face without glare. The small format in E14 or G9 is enough in a small space.

Which weatherproof outdoor wall light to choose?

For outdoors, only a model whose product page shows a high protection rating is suitable: the selection is mostly made up of IP20 wall lights, intended for indoors, and a few IP44 or IP54 models. Also check the mount material and the glass, because those are what age outdoors. No model should be placed outside without this check.

IP20, IP44, IP54: what do these ratings mean?

The IP rating is read in two digits. The first concerns solid bodies, the second water: IP20 protects against fingers and ordinary dust but not splashes, IP44 resists water splashes from all directions, IP54 adds better dust tightness. The product page is what counts for each model, never a visual impression.

Which material to choose for a wall light placed outside?

Painted metal and aluminium withstand temperature swings better than a bare, poorly treated mount, and thick glass resists impacts better than thin glass. Look at the screws and seals when installing: those are the points that oxidise first. A rope wall light keeps a rustic charm but needs a sheltered spot.

How to choose an original, bohemian or country chic wall light?

For an original wall light, move away from the smooth globe: ball, oval or tube shapes, gold, black or white finishes and materials such as brass, iron, rope, linen or fabric change everything. A country chic wall light often combines rope and black metal, a bohemian wall light prefers warm metal and natural materials.

Country chic wall light: which materials and which colours?

The rope and black metal duo is the basis of the genre, with simple glass that lets the material speak. A linen or fabric shade softens the light further and echoes country interiors. Find these mounts in the metal wall lights, to place in a kitchen, a bedroom or near an entryway.

Bohemian chic wall light: which finishes to choose?

Brass and gold bring the warm reflection that signs the bohemian style, especially on a white or sand wall. A generous sphere, an exposed arm and a warm light around 3000 K are enough to create the mood. The gold models also work very well in white finishes for a softer version.

How to install and care for a globe wall light?

Installation is done with the power off, on a recessed box or surface-mounted, with plugs suited to the wall. The socket is then chosen: E27 for a common bulb, E14 or G9 for a more compact size. The glass is cleaned dry, with a soft cloth, without abrasive products.

At what height should a round or ball wall light be placed?

Cut the power at the breaker, identify the wires, then fix the box with plugs that match the wall, plasterboard, brick or concrete. The height depends on the use: shoulder height for a bedside, above the worktop or the mirror for task lighting. A wide mount requires a stronger fixing than a small globe.

Changing the bulb: E27, E14 or G9, how to find your way?

The E27 screws in and accepts common bulbs, the E14 also screws in but in a smaller format, the G9 comes as a pin bulb that is pushed in without screwing. Never force a socket: glass is often removed before unscrewing the bulb. To compare families of fixtures, start from indoor wall lighting and the Designix lighting catalogue.

Two examples from the selection: the Halo glass ball wall light in 30 x 15 cm with an E14 socket, and the Lumière Céleste glass and iron globe in 41 x 12 cm with a G9 socket. Both are placed in a dry room, IP20.

Frequently asked questions about the globe wall light

Ordering a globe wall light from Designix

Payment is secure, delivery is tracked and returns are possible if the model does not suit the wall or the room. Designix customer service answers questions about socket, dimension and protection rating before the order. One last landmark before choosing: note the width of the available wall, the accepted socket and the bulb temperature you want, then carry these three elements over to the model's product page.