10 (good) reasons to use wall lights in kitchens

April 30, 2025

Wall lights are one of my favourite ways to light just about any space, including kitchens. When lighting is positioned beside you, and not above you, it's psychologically pleasing as well as functional. In addition to the psychological and functional benefits of using wall lights in kitchens, they solve a myriad of lighting challenges. Make room for wall lights in your kitchen, you won't regret it!

Check out this blog to see 10 instances when wall lights become the lighting hero in kitchens.

Call Autumn Morrison, residential lighting designer, to find the right light for you (m) 07943469433 or send a message here.

1. There's a sky light in the way

Natural light is the best kind of lighting, hands down. A sky light in your kitchen makes perfect sense. But what do you do at night when you can't hang a light from the void? Wall lights to the rescue! Depending on the layout (this is where a lighting expert can help massively), you can supplement daytime lighting at night with cleverly positioned wall lights - either mounted near by, stretching across the void or inside the sky light shining down.

In the example below, you may not spot the wall lights at first, but there are two small white square wall lights mounted inside this large sky light pointing down onto the kitchen island over the sink area. I love this solution. The design is discreet, the position is spot on and the lighting quality is excellent. There's a few lights we could look at to do this job, but the Parma by Astro lighting is the closest match to this light (and you can paint it to match the ceiling).

Bring in a lighting expert to help you find clever wall lights to complement sky lights. Call or contact Autumn Morrison to show you options (m) 079434469433

2. Sloped ceilings can be tricky to put lights on/in

More and more kitchens have vaulted ceilings (sloped ceilings) and this can be a real lighting challenge due to joists, insulation, and mounting incompatibilities. Wall lights are a great solution to get useful light where you need it when the ceiling is a no-go. There's usually a little wiggle room for wall lights between the ceiling and a window, as seen below, especially with vaulted ceilings lifting the ceiling away. Additionally, wall lights positioned between yourself and the work surface provide the best lighting in terms of avoiding shadows.

There are a few things to look out for when choosing wall lights between the ceiling and a window, such as projection - call or contact Autumn to find wall lights that will work (m) 07943469433

3. Fill an open span of wall with pretty lights

Wall lights on an open span of wall space is a beautiful way to light your kitchen. Not only will you get useful lighting, you'll create a sense of elegance as well as emotional comfort. Having an illuminated object of beauty as a focal point in your kitchen is a sure way to elevate the overall feel. Furthermore, if you've splashed out on a stunning backsplash, this is a brilliant way to light it.

These Circ wall lights work beautifully in this kitchen, especially because they are IP44 rated, meaning they can get splashed with water. They look and work great in pairs or on their own.

There are many choices for this type of kitchen lighting, and should be selected with a few factors in mind, such as proximity to water, wall finish, mounting height and projection into the space. Save time and call Autumn Morrison at 07943469433 or send a message to help you find beautiful options.

4. You want a pendant but need to mount the electrics from the wall

Sometimes you just can't get electrics from the ceiling but you still want a decorative pendant light effect. Often, walls are easy to get electrics from, whether from nearby sockets or power located behind the walls, shelves, etc. If the walls are already closed and you don't want to channel them out and there's a nearby socket, there are quite a few wall lights with plugs you can use to get a similar effect. Plug the light into the wall and angle it where you want it.

The Tolomeo wall light series has a wide range of choices with plugs. Check out the Tolomeo Mega wall with parchment shade which plugs into a socket and has a pendant effect.

Ask Autumn Morrison, residential lighting designer, which wall lights or pendants will work best mounted from the wall to hang over a surface (m) 07943469433 or send a message.

5. You want flexible lighting

When I first started out in lighting, flexible lights delighted me and continue to this day. Perhaps it's the dance they do with you, to'ing and fro'ing as needed. Come close, go away. Flexible lights are fantastic in both large and small kitchens. Kitchens are hard-working rooms, and having lighting at your beck and call is a huge help.

Below, you can see that the Le Gras N214 adjustable wall light by DCW Editions is highly functional and extremely stylish. Designed in 1921 in Paris, where it is still manufactured today, this light is a timeless winner.

Call or contact Autumn to discuss which flexible wall lights might work for your project (m) 07943469433

6. You want to make a feature of your lighting

There are a few ways to make a house feel like a home and good lighting does just that - makes you feel at home. Wall lighting is one of the best choices for creating a sense of well-being and belonging. When planning your kitchen, consider dedicating a zone to include a wall light (or two), even if you have lighting elsewhere. Chances are, you'll use the wall light(s) more than the other lights. They are a very charming way to light a space.

The Plume wall light (below) lights this section of the kitchen with a generous beam of wide light for illuminating the work surface below and provides a welcoming glow from the shade.

There are many choices to choose from for decorative wall lights in kitchens - call or contact Autumn to show you some beauties (m) 07943469433

7. You need to embrace low ceilings

Low ceilings happen. I have a cottage with low ceilings. Low ceilings are charming and cosy but they can be difficult to light, especially in kitchens. This is when wall lights are your best friend. They'll provide great illumination and a sense of space and breathing room. If you choose a wall light in a space with low ceilings, consider the shade carefully - best to find wall lights that glow all around so you cast some light onto the ceiling as well as the space below. This trick will visually 'lift' the ceiling, giving the room a sense of expansion.

In the example below (which I love) they not only embraced low ceilings and beams, they have wonky walls framing the window, and the wall lights are far from perfectly plumb but they work perfectly well. The glass shades provide ambient (all around lighting) as well as task lighting. Adorable.

8. You want to incorporate art work into your kitchen

Art in a kitchen? Much more popular than you might think, just have a look at Pinterest. It's a wonderful touch. Art in kitchens is sophisticated, elevated and soaked with personality. After all, there's few things more personal than art. So how do you light it? There are a few ways, actually. You can use traditional picture lights as shown below, or flexible wall lights angled onto the art work or opt for wall lights that provide all-around lighting, casting a gentle glow. If you have a few pieces of art on the wall, mix in a beautiful glowing wall light, something that complements the vignette.

The Mondrian picture light by Astro suits modern and traditional spaces. Give Autumn a ring to find the best wall light to complement your artwork (m) 07943469433

9. Make a feature of your chimney breast

If you've invested in having a feature chimney breast, complement it by flanking it with beautiful wall lights. You can really play with design here - these lights are mostly for looks, they don't have to work too hard. Is your chimney breast tall or wide? Traditional or minimal? The wall lights should match the tone and style, like a pair of earrings would match a gown.

Don't be afraid to mix and match finishes - as you can see in the example below, the wall light and linear pendant light are brass whilst the tap and pulls are nickel. It all works well, the element that ties them together is quality and good taste.

Get the very best designer wall lights for your kitchen, call Autumn to show you stunning options (m) 07943469433

10. You have a shelf with pretty things you want to light

Wall lights above shelves is perhaps the most practical and popular kitchen wall lighting technique. We all love storage but sometimes we want to display certain objects, and wall lights are perfect for the job. You don't want to light shelves from above with downlights, that lighting is impersonal and shadowy. Best to find the perfect wall light(s) in terms of style, size and lighting requirements. This light is as personal as the things on your shelf.