Types of wall lights and mounting height: hallway, mirror, bedside, stairs and outdoor

Short answer: A wall light is any fitting mounted on a wall: indoors in hallways, on stairs, beside the bed, above the mirror and in living rooms; outdoors beside the front door, on façades, balconies and garden walls. Common mounting heights in practice: hallway and living-room wall lights about 160–200 cm from the floor, a mirror light level with the top edge of the mirror, lights either side of a mirror at face height (about 150–170 cm), bedside reading lights 30–50 cm above the mattress, and outdoor lights beside the door 170–200 cm from the ground. Bathrooms need at least IP44 and exposed outdoor walls higher protection (e.g. IP54–IP65). These are not fixed rules but practical values that avoid glare and put the light where it is needed; adjust them to the light direction and ceiling height.

Wall lights by light direction

• Downlight: lights the floor; in hallways, on stairs and beside doors it lights the way without glare.
• Uplight: throws light onto the ceiling for soft, indirect general light; beautiful in high-ceilinged living rooms and bedrooms.
• Up-and-down light: draws two beams on the wall as a decorative pattern; common on façades, entrances and hallways. Leave enough clear wall above and below so the pattern shows (a common recommendation is at least 50 cm).
• Linear wall light: a long slim body giving a line of light above mirrors, in hallways and on stairs.
• Adjustable (spot) wall light: points light where you need it for reading or a picture; used at the bedside and in reading corners.
• Decorative wall light: the fitting itself is the feature and the light comes second; it adds character.

Mounting height by room

The values below are common practical ranges, measured from the floor to the centre of the fitting (or to the stated edge).

1. Hallway: about 170–200 cm. Above eye level, so it does not dazzle as you walk. Space them roughly 2–3 m apart; in narrow hallways prefer up-and-down or downward-only models.
2. Living room: 160–190 cm. With uplights, leave at least 50–60 cm to the ceiling so the light spreads evenly. For layered living-room lighting see living room lighting without a chandelier.
3. Above the mirror (washbasin): at or just above the top edge of the mirror, about 190–210 cm from the floor in most bathrooms. Light should fall on the face from above and in front; a ceiling spot alone leaves shadows.
4. Either side of the mirror: the most shadow-free light for make-up and shaving comes from lights at both sides, at face height, about 150–170 cm from the floor and 60–90 cm apart.
5. Bedside: a reading light 30–50 cm above the top of the mattress and slightly outside the edge of the bed, usually 110–140 cm from the floor. An adjustable head lights the book without disturbing your partner.
6. Stairs: about 170–190 cm above the line of the step nosings, on a line parallel to the stair pitch. Alternatively, low recessed step lights are fitted 20–30 cm above the tread.
7. Outdoor beside the front door: 170–200 cm from the ground, on one or both sides; often near the top of the door or at about two-thirds of the door height. A single light above the door sits 15–30 cm above the frame.
8. Façade and balcony: 200–250 cm and above; up-and-down lights create rhythm on a façade. See our facade lighting guide.

With a low ceiling choose the bottom of the range, with a high one the top. Keeping all lights on the same wall at the same height matters more than the exact figure.

IP rating in bathrooms and outdoors

• Bathroom: mirror and basin lights need at least IP44, depending on the zone relative to the bath and shower. See bathroom lighting zones; local wiring rules apply.
• Under eaves, covered balconies: where no rain hits directly, IP44 is often enough.
• Exposed façades and garden walls: protection against dust and splashing water (e.g. IP54); in exposed spots with driving rain and water jets, IP65. See IP ratings explained.
• Outdoors choose aluminium or powder-coated metal and 2700–3000 K warm white; a motion sensor model beside the door adds security.

Where to leave the cable outlet

Leave the wall outlet before plastering and tiling, at a height where it will sit right behind the fitting's mounting plate; otherwise the cable shows or the plate does not cover it. For a mirror light, do not set the outlet until the mirror's size and position are fixed. With several lights in one room, mark the outlets at the same level with a laser. If the lights will have their own switch or a dimmable circuit, plan this at the wiring stage. Have an electrician make the connection; bathroom and outdoor circuits must be protected by a 30 mA RCD.

Alternatives to a wall light

• In hallways and on stairs, recessed step lights or hidden LED strip give a very clean look; see how to make cove lighting.
• At an outdoor entrance with no suitable wall, or if you do not want to drill, use a ground-standing fitting. Our own ENGN Lento, designed and made by us, does the job of a wall light from the ground when placed either side of the front door: a frame-shaped anthracite sheet-steel body, 10 W LED, 3000 K, downward light, IP54; 600 and 1000 mm heights.

You will find linear wall lights and outdoor wall lights in our linear lighting and garden lighting categories.

• → Garden lighting and outdoor wall lights
• → Linear lighting
• → ENGN Lento garden light
• → Bathroom lighting zones
• → Facade lighting guide
• → Garden lighting guide
• → Motion sensor lighting