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The best illuminating wall lights to buy now

From the architectural to the decorative, these are the wall lights that have brightened up our year so far

By Kate Worthington and Alice Finney
ixa xl artemide
Artemide

Not only are wall lights an excellent way to introduce a more subtle and sophisticated glow to a space, but they are also a space-saving alternative to floor or table lamps.

A wall light can have a noticeable impact on a room’s overall ambience and aesthetic as they are often seen as a decorative piece and take pride position on the wall. From sleek and elongated to soft and round, our hand-picked selection is a trusty guide to the best available now.

1

‘Flumo’ wall lamp, Pooky

wall light
Monologue

The smooth alabaster stone that fronts this opulent lamp gives the light a mellow glow reminiscent of sunset. Select two and place them on either side of your bed to help you settle in for a night’s sleep. £135, pooky.com

2

‘Press Surface’ wall lamp, Tom Dixon

press surface lamp by tom dixon
Tom Dixon

Few wall lights are suited to indoors and outdoors but British designer Tom Dixon’s ‘Press Surface’ is the exception thanks to its thick glass construction. The ribbed transparent material has been moulded in concentric circles to make it look like an old-school spinning top toy. The light’s effect however is much more sophisticated – it creates diffusion of the light source and projects linear and stripy patterns. £420, tomdixon.net

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3

‘Matin’ wall lamp, Hay

matin wall lamp inga sempé hay
Hay

Why buy a fan when you can have a lamp that looks like one? This playful design by Inga Sempé combines delicacy with sturdiness – while its pleats may appear flimsy, don’t be deceived, it is made from cotton, PVC and a thermoplastic. From £199, hay.dk

4

‘Capsule’ wall lamp, Square Circle Studio

wall light
Monologue

Available in brushed brass, medium bronze or dark bronze, ‘Capsule’ is so named for its cylindrical shape. Fix it to the wall beside a mirror in the bathroom to make your skincare routine that bit more glamorous. £760, monologuelondon.com

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5

‘IXA XL’ wall lamp, Artemide

'ixa xl wall lamp' by artemide
Artemide

Renowned architecture studio Foster + Partners is behind the design of this nifty wall lamp. With a spherical head that can rotate 360 degrees, it’s your go-to companion for reading a book in a quiet corner of the house. £366, hollowaysofludlow.com

6

‘Bellhop Wall Up’ light, Flos

bellhop wall up light edward barber jay osgerby
FLOS

After the success of Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby’s 2017 ‘Bellhop Wall Up’ table lamp, the design duo has created a wall version. Whether you mount it facing up or down, it’s sure to add character and vibrancy to any space. £255, flos.com

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7

‘Sfera W’ wall lamp, Cattelani & Smith

sfera w cattelani smith
Cattelani & Smith

Inspired by the famous self-portrait painting by Escher, the ‘Sfera W’ lamp by Catellani & Smith reflects its surroundings thanks to its shiny mirror surface. It even shines when the light isn’t on. Designed as a sphere, it has no visible wall fastening and the direction of the beam of light can be changed depending on how the invisible bracket is secured to the wall. £1,250, cattelanismith.com

8

‘Balancer Mini’ wall/table lamp, Northern

balancer mini wall table lamp yuue
Yuue

If you’ve got commitment issues when it comes to fixing a light to a wall permanently, the ‘Balancer Mini’ by Yuue may be the solution. Thanks to its magnetic metal plate, it transforms from a wall lamp into a table lamp in seconds. £230, northern.no

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9

‘Pantheum Surface Light’, Lee Broom

pantheum surface light lee broom
Lee Broom

Taking cues from the distinctive concrete ceiling of Rome’s ancient temple, The Pantheon, ‘Pantheum Surface Light’ is a tile-like square lamp made from Jesmonite. Hang it on its own or alongside several matching lights to form a charming mosaic along the ceiling or wall. £1,392, leebroom.com

10

‘Liila’ wall light, Nuura

liila wall globe bronze nuura
Nuura

Shine a light on your garden patio or doorway with the ‘Liila’, an outdoor lamp made from a thin, metal sheet in a dark bronze finish. The opal white glass globe provides a soft and diffused glow that will tastefully illuminate your front door. Approx £220, nuura.com

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11

‘La Roche’ wall light, Nemo Lighting

la roche wall light le corbusier
Holloways of Ludlow

This classic wall light by Le Corbusier features a unique and modern design, with a distinctive crumpled shade that creates a beautiful play of light and shadow on the walls. It is made from high-quality materials, including a metal frame and a shade made from hand-blown glass. From £480, hollowaysofludlow.com

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