Choosing a plaster wall light

The first decision with a plaster wall light is power. You can buy the shade only and fit it over an existing light, choose a battery LED version with a remote that needs no wiring, or choose a UK mains hardwired version that connects to your lighting circuit. Mains wiring must be done by a qualified electrician.

After that, choose a size that suits the wall, place it at a comfortable height and decide whether to leave it as natural plaster or paint it. Plaster wall lights throw light up and down the wall rather than straight into the room, so they work best as mood and accent lighting alongside a main light.

Three ways to power it

Each of our wall lights comes in the same three options. The right one depends on your wiring, your tenancy and how much work you want to take on.

• Shade only. The plaster shade without electrics. It suits anyone with an existing wall light point who wants to choose their own fitting, or an electrician who is already rewiring the room.
• Battery LED with remote. No cables and no electrician. The shade fixes to the wall and the light is switched by remote. It is the obvious choice for renters, for walls with no light point and for spots like an alcove or a stairwell where running a cable would mean chasing plaster. The trade-off is that batteries need replacing or recharging, and it is not linked to a wall switch.
• UK mains hardwired. Connected to your lighting circuit and switched from the wall like any other light. It is the most permanent option and needs no batteries. It does need a light point in the right place, or a new one, and a qualified electrician to connect it.

Renting, wiring and Part P

If you rent, battery is usually the sensible route. Most tenancy agreements do not allow changes to the electrics, and a battery light can come down when you move with only small fixing holes to fill. Check your agreement before drilling.

For a hardwired light, use a qualified electrician. In England and Wales, electrical work in homes falls under Part P of the Building Regulations. Some work, such as adding a new circuit or work in a bathroom, is notifiable and must be certified, either by a registered electrician or through building control. An electrician will tell you whether your job is notifiable and can position the light point before any plaster goes up.

Choose the power option first. Size, placement and colour all follow from where the light can actually go.

Choosing the size

Wall lights read larger on the wall than they look in a photo. Before you order, check the dimensions on the listing, cut a card template to that size and tape it up.

• Small hallways and landings. A compact light keeps the walkway clear and suits the shorter viewing distance.
• Living rooms and bedrooms. Medium to large pieces work well in pairs, either side of a fireplace, bed or mirror.
• Tall period rooms. Larger lights hold their own against high ceilings and deep cornices.
• Corridors. A row of identical lights at even spacing gives rhythm and an even wash of light.

Where to place it

A common rule of thumb is to mount wall lights at roughly 1.5 to 1.8 metres from the floor, a little above eye level, so you see the glow rather than the light source. Adjust to the room: lower on a landing, higher in a tall room. Pairs should be centred on the feature they flank and level with each other.

Think about what is in the way. Keep lights clear of door swings, curtains and shelves, and make sure you can reach the light or its remote easily. In a bathroom, the rules on electrical zones are stricter, so ask your electrician before choosing a spot.

Painting and finishing

Our wall lights arrive as natural plaster and are paintable with ordinary emulsion. Seal the raw plaster with a thinned mist coat first, then apply your colour. Painting the light the same colour as the wall makes the shape quieter and lets the light do the work. A contrasting colour, or a deep shade inside a pale room, makes it a feature. Our guide to painting plaster covers the method in detail.

Next steps

Every light is hand-cast to order in our Shrewsbury workshop. Browse the full range in our wall lights collection, choose your power option on the listing, and read our fitting instructions before you start. If you are not sure which option suits your wall, get in touch.