Wired wall light

A wired wall light connects straight to the mains and switches on with the room's light switch, with no visible cord or plug. The choice comes down to three practical points: the size relative to the wall space you have, the light you want on the wall, and the electrical supply already in place where you plan to fix it.

What is a wired wall light and how does it switch on?

A wired wall light is a wall fixture connected directly to the room's electrical circuit, with no visible cord or plug. It switches on with the existing wall switch or a dedicated switch. Installation requires a power supply at the wall, prepared before the bracket is fixed.

Wired wall light

The term always refers to the same thing: a wired wall light, sometimes called a hardwired wall lamp. What sets it apart from a plug-in wall light is the absence of a visible cable: the wires arrive behind the cover and disappear into the wall. The result on the wall is clean, with no dangling wire, which matters in a living room or a through hallway. To compare sizes, browse our indoor wall lights and keep in mind the space left by furniture.

Wall light with switch

There are two cases. Either the light switches on with the room's wall switch, the one that already controls the ceiling light or the switched socket: nothing more to plan. Or the model has its own control, a built-in switch or a dimmer: handy above a bed or in a toilet, where you want to switch on without leaving the room. If no wire comes out of the wall, a supply must be created: call an electrician before buying.

Which light source and socket should you choose for a wired wall light?

The choice depends on the model: integrated LED, E27 or E14 socket depending on the light. An integrated LED cannot be replaced and gives a fixed light; a socket lets you change the bulb and its colour temperature, from warm white to neutral white. Exact wattage and lumen output are given on each product page.

Integrated LED or replaceable bulb

An integrated LED gives a flat light, often slimmer on the wall, and needs no maintenance. In return, the light is fixed: if you do not like the result, you have to change the fixture. A socket model takes a bulb you can replace or upgrade, and it is the flexible solution when the same light has to provide soft evening lighting and then reading light. See our LED wall lights for models without a bulb.

Warm white or neutral white: which colour temperature

As a general guide, warm white sits around 2700 to 3000 K, neutral white around 4000 K. The first creates an end-of-day atmosphere, suited to a bedroom or a reading corner; the second renders colours more faithfully and suits a desk or a work room. A socket light lets you switch from one to the other simply by changing the bulb.

Which wall light should you choose for a living room?

In a living room, the wall light provides accent or reading light: place it on either side of a sofa, a bookcase or the head of a piece of furniture. Light directed upwards washes the wall, light directed downwards is for reading. The size follows the free wall width.

Modern living room wall light: which shape

A modern living room takes simple volumes: disc, cylinder, slim rectangle, articulated arm. The wall light for a living room should stay discreet when switched off, because you see it all day. An identical pair on either side of the sofa balances the wall better than a single off-centre model. To go further on shapes, compare our living room wall lights and the models designed for a modern-style living room.

Powerful living room wall light: aim for useful light

A powerful living room wall light is not necessarily the one with the biggest number: it is the one whose output falls where you need it. A reflector directed at the wall sends back a soft, wide light; an adjustable arm places the beam on a book. The exact wattage and lumen output of each model are on its product page. For another use, also see the lights designed for around the table.

Which wired wall light for a bedroom or a child's room?

In a bedroom, the wall light replaces the bedside lamp and frees the nightstand: fix it above or beside the bed, at shoulder height when sitting. For a child's room, choose a soft light, a model without sharp angles and a control within reach from the bed.

Wired bedroom wall light: where to fix it

The right reference is simple: sitting in bed, the top of the light reaches shoulder height, the light falls on your lap and not in your eyes. A control within reach saves you getting up. One light on each side is better than a single central model. Find compact sizes in our bedroom wall lights, including the light versions among our white models.

Wired child's wall light: soft light and a shape without sharp angles

In a child's room, look for a round or rounded volume, a filtered light and a low intensity for the evening. A light whose control is at child height makes the child independent to switch it on alone. The model must stay firmly fixed to the wall: a sound bracket and suitable plugs matter as much as the style.

Which style of wired wall light for a country chic or boho feel?

A country chic wall light plays on wood, patinated metal and simple shapes; a boho wall light prefers rattan, woven braid and round volumes. Both work with light-coloured walls. A black finish stands out, wood and rattan warm the light.

Country chic wall light: wood and patinated metal

Wood gives a warmed light, patinated metal sharper shadows. A metal light paired with a socket bulb lets you choose the exact shade of white, which changes the result a lot on a beige wall. Compare our metal finishes and, if you want a strong contrast, our black models.

Wood, rattan or black wired wall light: the result on the wall

A wood or rattan wired wall light filters the light and draws a woven pattern on the wall, perfect for an entrance or a reading corner. A black wired wall light cuts a clean silhouette on a light wall and frames a bed well. For more elaborate shapes, look at our glass wall lights and gold models.

Which wall light for a staircase, hallway or toilet?

In a hallway or on a staircase, the wall light marks the way and avoids dark areas: align it with the handrail, repeating the same model at regular intervals. In a toilet, a compact size and light directed downwards are enough, with an easy-to-wipe finish.

Staircase wall light: rhythm the climb

Repeat the same model from bottom to top, aligned with the handrail: the eye follows the line and each step stays readable. Up-and-down diffusion avoids dazzling the person climbing. A shallow size does not get in the way. Suitable models are in our staircase wall lights and, for circulation areas, in our hallway and passage wall lights.

Design toilet wall light and bathroom wall light

An original toilet wall light is judged on three points: small size, light directed downwards, smooth surface that wipes clean in one go. A design toilet wall light can also serve as a decorative detail if the wall stays clear. The electrical supply must be present at the wall, otherwise a switched socket or a dedicated supply is needed.

Can a wired wall light be installed outdoors or in a bathroom?

Yes, provided the model is designed for these rooms: the IP rating on the product page tells you, not the style. Outdoors, the light must be protected from rain; in a bathroom, keep it away from direct splashes. Check the IP rating before ordering.

Weatherproof outdoor wall light: what matters

The decisive criterion is protection against water and dust, stated on the product page. An indoor model placed outside will not last. Fixing matters just as much: a sound wall, plugs suited to the surface, and a position under a roof overhang if possible. Models for facades and terraces are in our wall lights in the broad sense.

Bathroom wall light: away from splashes

A bathroom wall light is best placed above the mirror or to the side, away from the shower and sink to limit splashes. A non-dazzling light is better than a strong output reflected in the mirror. Again, the IP rating on the product page decides which room the model can go in, not its appearance.

How do you install a wired wall light?

Switch off the power at the consumer unit, locate the wires behind the wall outlet, fix the light's bracket then connect live, neutral and earth according to the instructions. Close the cover and restore the power. If no wire comes out of the wall, a supply must be created: call an electrician.

Mains connection and switch

Locate the three conductors, follow the marking given in the model's instructions and tighten the terminals without forcing on the insulation. Connect the earth if the light provides for it. Once the cover is in place, restore the power and test: the light should switch on with the wall switch. If in doubt about the circuit, an electrician settles it faster than a trial.

Fixing: choosing the right point on the wall

Tap the wall to find solid and hollow areas, choose plugs suited to the surface and screw the bracket into a sound area, not a cracked one. The height follows the use: shoulder height when sitting near a bed, aligned with the handrail on a staircase. A badly fixed light moves and ends up marking the wall. For a first purchase, compare all our wired wall lights and our entry-level models before drilling.

Ordering: secure payment, tracked delivery, returns available and Designix customer service for any question about a model before drilling. Our lighting catalogue brings together the whole range, and modern-style wall lights complete the selection for a contemporary interior. Unsure about the shape? Also look at our ball wall lights, easy to pair up. To choose with peace of mind, start with the room, then the light, and keep the style for the end.

Frequently asked questions