Imagine you have to choose wall mounted lighting for your home for the very first time. You do not know where to start and what to consider before buying. It is totally natural to feel confused. You may open a catalogue and pick the light that you like the most. But stop for a moment. Check a few important things before you choose the light that looks stylish. Wall lighting is not about style. You should choose a light that works well for years and does not cause problems within months. When you know these basics, it becomes easier to choose the right wall light. 

Factors You Should Check Before Choosing Wall Mounted

1. Check the Wall Before You Choose a Light

The first thing to do before buying a wall light is to check the junction box. You just have to see if it is present where you want to install it. If there is no box, then that means you need new wiring. That also means opening the wall. It costs more than most people think.

If you’ve got an electrician helping out, just ask them to check a few things:

• The box needs to stay reachable once the wall is finished. It should not be covered by drywall, tile or cabinets.
• If the junction box is made of a metal box, it needs proper grounding. This is for safety.
• Areas such as bathrooms and outdoor spaces need a box that is made for damp or wet areas. A regular indoor box is not the right choice.

If you cannot run new wiring right now, a plug-in wall sconce with a cord cover is also a good option. It is not only for renters. It also works well for many homeowners.

2. Decide What the Light Is Actually For

Before anything else, figure out the job you want the light to do. Take help by asking some questions. Do you want to light up the whole room? Do you want it for task lighting like help you read or work? Do you want it to shine on a picture or a wall? 

First, decide the purpose of your light. Then pick the right fixture. 

3. Install the Light at the Right Height 

No single height can be right for every room.

• In the hallways and living rooms: Put the middle of the light about 5’6″ to 6′ above the floor.
• Bedside lights: Put them a little lower like keep them at your eye level when you sit on your bed.
• Bathroom lights: Place lights on each side of mirror. 
• Stairways: Give the same space between each light. So every step gets light.

One rule works for every room. You should never see the bare bulb at eye level. Also, check how far the fixture sticks out from the wall. In tight hallways, anything too bulky becomes something people bump into. 

4. Think About Spacing Between Lights

Do not put lights close to each other. Keep enough space when putting more lights in a row. Place each light 6 to 8 feet apart. 

So the light reaches the whole room. Now there are no dark corners anywhere. Move them slightly. You should not place them in one perfect straight row. It looks more natural.

5. Pick Light Output Based on the Job

Different wall lights give different lights. They do one of three things. 

• Some uplights shine light upwards. They give a soft glow. 
• Some downlights give light downwards. They are a better choice to use over stairs or work areas. 
• Some lights spread light evenly across a wall. These are called wall washers.
• Some lights like Windfall 8 Outdoor Wall shine light where you need it. They work well for outdoor walls, doors and entryways. 

When you compare fixtures, check by lumens, not watts. Lumens tell you about brightness and watts tell you about power it uses. 

6. Don’t Mix Your Light Colours

Light colour is measured in kelvin. For many homes, light between 2700K and 3000K is the best. These are warm and easy on the eyes. Do not mix 3000K wall lights with 5000K ceiling lights. They do not look good together.

When you are buying LED lights, check the CRI number. A light with a CRI below 80 makes things in a room look dull. It is better to choose 90 or higher. This works well in the bathroom, especially.

7. Make Sure It Works With Your Dimmer

LED lights use a driver. That driver needs to match your dimmer. Old dimmers were made for old bulbs. They make LEDs flicker. Trailing-edge dimmers work well with LEDs. So they are the safer pick. 

Before you install it, check the specifications of the fixture. This way, you know the dimmer type it needs. 

8. Check the IP Rating for Wet Spots

Anything going outside, in a bathroom or near a shower needs an IP rating that fits that spot. This matters most for wall mounted outdoor lights. They are exposed to rain and humidity all year. IP44 is fine for the odd splash, but a fully exposed outdoor wall needs IP65 or higher. A light made for dry indoor use won’t last in a damp spot. That is a safety issue too.

9. Think About Costs in the Long Run

Don’t judge a fixture by the price tag alone. LED lights cost more at first. They use 90% less power than the old bulbs. They also last much longer. You do not need to replace them often. This saves you money. 

It is also important to choose the right brand. Brands like Circ Lighting offer many energy-saving lights. They use the latest LED technology in their products. 

10. Match the Finish of Your Home

Whatever you pick should fit the room. It should also match your switch plates and door hardware. You can choose brass, matte black or brushed steel. A fixture can look beautiful on its own. But it may not look good on your wall. This happens if it does not match the room. 

11. Set Your Budget First

It is easy to fall for a fixture that costs more than what you meant to spend. Decide roughly what you want to pay before you start looking. It keeps the style decision focused on the practical one.

Conclusion

Once you’ve worked through wiring, height, light output, colour temperature, dimmer compatibility and IP rating, you’re in a strong position to choose wall mounted lighting for your home. You do it with confidence. At that stage, the fixture you fall for on style is also the one that will perform the way it should and last for years. This is really the whole point of choosing wall lighting carefully in the first place.