We often choose a wall light for its light. We forget that it spends half the day switched off. During that time, it's the thing we look at on the wall. A wall light in raffia, alfa or palm rope, woven by hand, keeps its presence even without the bulb on: the fibre, the weave and the shape are enough to dress a bare wall. A wall light gives a room character, far more than a ceiling light.
Here are four places where we love to hang them, with a few practical guidelines. The heights given are guidelines, not rules: they depend on the shape of the light, the ceiling height and your furniture.
1. In the bedroom, instead of a bedside lamp
Fixed above the bedside table, a wall light frees up space for a book, a glass of water, a small plant. Allow roughly 1.20 m to 1.40 m from the floor as a guide, and offset it 15 to 20 cm from the edge of the bed so you don't knock it when sitting up. A tight weave, like our IRIS raffia lights, filters the light and gives that golden glow we love in the evening.
A customer wrote to us: “A craftsmanship that enhances our bedroom with its artisanal style, exactly like the photos.”
2. In the entrance or hallway, to break the tunnel effect
A narrow hallway often means a white wall and a ceiling light that's too harsh. Two open-weave wall lights, like our COSEI palm rope wall light, hung at around 1.70 m and spaced 2 to 3 m apart depending on the length of the hallway, completely change the atmosphere. The light passes through the weave and casts shadows on the wall. During the day, they work as decoration on their own.
This is actually the use we see most among our professional customers: guesthouses, inns and hotels hang our wall lights all along their corridors, for example our SAIKO raffia wall light. Repeated over several metres, the same light creates a common thread and makes the passage warm, without harsh lighting.
3. In the living room, as a composition
Next to a sofa, a single wall light can be enough. But the strongest effect is a composition: three or four LULE flower wall lights, in gold brass, silver nickel silver or palm rope, grouped on the same wall. Switched on, they reflect the light. Switched off, they form a picture.
4. In the bathroom, on each side of the mirror
Two wall lights framing a mirror is the simplest set-up and one of the most successful. The light reaches both sides of the face without harsh shadows, and the woven fibres warm up a wall of zellige or white tiles. A customer shared this arrangement in the bathroom of her master suite: “I already love this side, especially with our new wall lights.” Another customer did the same in his living room, around a wooden mirror: “Superb product, great result.”
In a bathroom, choose a spot away from the shower and bath, in a well-ventilated room. Check beforehand that the light fitting and its electrical installation are suitable for this use.
No wall outlet?
It's the question we're asked most. Our IRIS and LULE wall lights come ready-wired, with a 3 m cable and a plug: fix them, plug them in, done. The switch is supplied unfitted so you can place it wherever you like on the cable: near the bed, within reach in a hallway… For our other woven models, like our KUR palm rope wall light, simply add our wall bracket and our 3 m electrical kit with plug and switch, also supplied unfitted.
Want to install a wall light without a wall outlet? Simply plug it into a power socket. To hang a light away from a ceiling outlet, we explain three methods in our article How to hang a light without a ceiling outlet.
What about the cable?
It's twisted fabric, black or gold, and it shows. We embrace it as a decorative feature. Between a visible cable and a cordless lamp you constantly have to recharge, we prefer the cable: it never lets you down at bedtime.
If you prefer it discreet, guide it along the wall or a skirting board with small cable clips. At the socket, one of our woven power strip cover boxes hides the plug, the power strip and the extra cable.
Tight or open weave?
We're often asked whether a natural fibre wall light really gives enough light. It all depends on the weave. A tight weave softens the light: ideal in a bedroom, for a gentle atmosphere in the evening. An open weave lets more light through and casts shadows on the wall: perfect in a hallway or living room. For main lighting, choose an open-weave model, or add another light source.
Which bulb?
A warm white (2700 K) E27 LED, 4 to 7 W. It stays cool, which protects the fibres, and gives them a honey colour. On an open-weave model or a LULE, a filament bulb shows through the weave and becomes decorative. In a small shade, choose a compact bulb (G45 globe or mini) that doesn't touch the fibres.
How to care for a natural fibre wall light?
Raffia, alfa and palm rope are living, durable materials that last for years if dusted regularly. The best solution: a vacuum cleaner with the brush nozzle, on low power. It removes the dust lodged in the weave without damaging the fibres. Between two cleans, a dry brush or a feather duster is enough. Never use water or household products, and keep your wall lights away from damp.
For LULE lights in brass or nickel silver, a soft dry cloth is enough if you like the patina and vintage look the metal takes on over time. To bring back its shine, use a brass cleaner or a silver polishing stone.
See all our woven wall lights in the Woven Wall Sconces collection.
Frequently asked questions
Can you install a wall light without a wall outlet?
Yes. Our IRIS and LULE wall lights come ready-wired, you just plug them into a socket. All our other wall lights can also be installed without a wall outlet: SAIKO, KON, KUR, HEN, BUN, COSEI, CUTE, WASI, CARO, PALMA, EJJ, Alfa, Brise-Lumière and Indirect lighting. Simply add our wall bracket and our 3 m electrical kit with plug and switch.
How do you hide a wall light cable?
Guide it with cable clips along the wall or a skirting board, and hide the plug in a power strip cover box. The twisted fabric cable can also stay visible, as a decorative feature.
Which bulb for a natural fibre wall light?
A warm white 2700 K E27 LED, 4 to 7 W, that doesn't touch the fibres.
Does a woven wall light give enough light?
A tight weave gives ambient light; an open weave gives more light.
How do you clean a woven wall light?
With a vacuum cleaner, using the brush nozzle on low power, then a dry brush. No water.
Can you put a natural fibre wall light in a bathroom?
Yes, away from the shower and bath, in a well-ventilated room, after checking that the light fitting and installation are suitable.
