No regulation sets the height of a wall light, only common practice. And depending on the website, the “right” figure for a living room ranges from 1.60 m to 1.90 m. Both can be right: it all depends on what you measure, the shape of the light and the ceiling height. Here are our guidelines room by room and, above all, how to adapt them to your wall.
Key points
- Living room: 1.60 to 1.80 m from the floor.
- Above the bed: 1.10 to 1.30 m, i.e. 60 to 70 cm above the mattress, and 15 to 25 cm out from each side of the bed.
- Hallway: 1.70 to 1.90 m, one light every 2 to 3 m.
- Stairs: 1.80 to 2 m, measured vertically from the stair nosing.
- Bathroom: 1.80 to 2 m above the mirror, or 1.50 to 1.60 m on either side.
- Ceilings above 2.70 m: go 10 to 20 cm higher.
How to measure: finished floor, centre line, bottom of the light
This is where most of the differences between the advice you read come from. Three points:
- Measure from the finished floor, i.e. with the wood or tiles laid. If the cable outlet goes in before the flooring, add its thickness.
- Our figures refer to the centre of the light (usually in line with the cable outlet). Some guides give the height of the bottom of the light, hence figures 10 to 15 cm lower.
- Check where the fixing sits on the light. On a 40 cm tall model with the backplate at the top, the centre of the light will be 15 cm below the cable outlet. Product pages give these dimensions.
The principle to keep in mind: you shouldn't be able to see the bulb directly, whether sitting or standing. A shade that opens upwards can go higher. A light that shines downwards can go lower.
Summary table
| Room | Height from floor (centre of the light) | Remember |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | 1.60 to 1.80 m | Above the eye line of someone seated |
| Bedroom, ambient lighting | 1.60 to 1.80 m | Same as a living room |
| Above the bed, reading | 1.10 to 1.30 m | 60 to 70 cm above the mattress |
| Hallway, entrance | 1.70 to 1.90 m | 2 to 3 m apart |
| Stairs | 1.80 to 2 m above the stair nosing | Or step lights 20–40 cm above the treads |
| Bathroom, above the mirror | 1.80 to 2 m | IP rating suited to the zone near water |
| Bathroom, either side of the mirror | 1.50 to 1.60 m | At face height, fewer shadows |
| Kitchen, above the worktop | 50 to 65 cm above the worktop | Below the wall cabinets |
| Outdoors, beside a door | 1.80 to 2.20 m | IP44 minimum, IP54 if exposed |
Living room
In a living room, you spend most of your time sitting down. Your eyes are then around 1.10–1.20 m from the floor. A wall light between 1.60 and 1.80 m stays above that line and doesn't dazzle. Fit it at around 1.80 m if it shines upwards (indirect light bouncing off the ceiling), or around 1.60 m if it shines downwards or is a reading light beside an armchair.
Either side of a sofa, fireplace or mirror, line the two lights up at the same height and space them a little wider than the piece of furniture: usually 20 to 30 cm on each side.
Bedroom and headboard
Above the bed, a wall light is for reading. So the right height depends on the bed, not the floor. With the top of the mattress at around 55 cm, you end up at 1.10–1.30 m from the floor, just above your head when you read sitting up against the headboard.
- High bed or thick base: go up by the same amount.
- Tall upholstered headboard: fit the light 10 to 15 cm above the headboard, or to the sides.
- Spacing: 15 to 25 cm beyond the edge of the mattress, on each side.
A wall light with an adjustable reading arm is the best compromise: soft light for the room, a focused beam for your book. See our bedside wall lights. And to avoid chasing a cable into the wall, many customers choose a cordless rechargeable wall light.
Hallway and entrance
In a hallway, you're always standing and moving. The light should be above eye level, between 1.70 and 1.90 m, and stick out no more than 10 to 15 cm from the wall if the hallway is narrow (under 1 m). Allow one light every 2 to 3 m, plus one within a metre of each end so doors aren't left in shadow.
Stairs
The classic mistake: measuring from the bottom landing. On a staircase, the height is taken vertically from the stair nosing, i.e. the edge of the step directly below the light.
- Main wall lights: 1.80 to 2 m above the stair nosing, one every 2 to 3 m, roughly every 5 to 6 steps.
- Step lights: small recessed lights 20–40 cm above the treads, every second or third step. Ideal at night, with a sensor.
- Winding stairs: put a light at each turn, that's where people miss a step.
For switching, you need a switch at the top and the bottom (two-way switching). See our staircase wall lights.
Bathroom and kitchen
Bathroom: above the mirror, 1.80 to 2 m. If you have room, two lights either side of the mirror at 1.50–1.60 m light the face better. Near the bath or shower, electrical rules come before looks: we cover them in our guide to bathroom zones.
Kitchen: a wall light above the worktop goes 50 to 65 cm above it, i.e. around 1.45–1.55 m from the floor for a standard 90 cm worktop. It should light the worktop without being in your line of sight. Above a sink or open shelving, 1.80 m.
High ceilings, low ceilings
The guidelines above assume a ceiling of around 2.50 m. A handy rule when the ceiling height changes: fit the light at about two-thirds of the ceiling height, never below 1.60 m in a living space.
- 2.40 m ceiling: 1.60 m.
- 2.70 m ceiling: 1.80 m.
- 3 m ceiling: 1.90 to 2 m.
- 3.50 m ceiling and above: 2 to 2.20 m, with a larger light to stay in scale with the wall.
Above 2.20 m, a wall light mainly lights the ceiling and becomes less useful day to day. In a very high room, combine wall lights with a chandelier suited to high ceilings.
Frequently asked questions
How high should a wall light be in a living room?
Between 1.60 and 1.80 m from the floor, measured to the centre of the light. Nearer 1.80 m for light aimed at the ceiling, 1.60 m for a light that shines downwards.
How high should a bedside wall light be?
Between 1.10 and 1.30 m from the floor, i.e. 60 to 70 cm above the mattress, and 15 to 25 cm out from each side of the bed.
What height for a wall light on the stairs?
1.80 to 2 m above the stair nosing, with one light every 2 to 3 m.
What height for a hallway wall light?
1.70 to 1.90 m, spaced 2 to 3 m apart, with a slim model in a narrow hallway.
Is there a regulation on wall light height?
No. The UK wiring regulations (BS 7671) don't set a height for wall lights. Only bathrooms have restrictions, based on the zones around the bath and shower.
See also: all our wall lights, our hallway wall lights and how to wire a wall light.
