Glass Wall Lights

Placing glass wall lights around the home

Most of our glass wall lights suit a living room, and many work well in bedrooms, hallways and dining rooms too. In a living room, a pair either side of a fireplace, mirror or sofa adds a gentle layer of light at eye level.

In a bedroom, a wall light either side of the bed frees up the bedside table. Some have a switch on the fitting, so you can turn the light off without getting up. In a hallway or on a landing, check the projection on the listing so the glass sits clear of shoulders and doors.

Clear, opal and ribbed glass wall lights

The glass sets both the look of a wall light and the way its light falls. We stock clear glass, which shows the bulb and casts bright, crisp light across the wall, and opal glass, a milky white that hides the bulb and glows evenly. Ribbed glass blurs the bulb and adds texture while letting plenty of light through.

Some designs have frosted glass, which takes the edge off glare and spreads the light more softly. A few of our glass wall lights have smoked glass, which lets less light through, so treat it as mood lighting rather than a light to read by. Some have amber glass, which warms the colour of the light. Crystal features on some, catching the light and scattering it.

Finishes and styles for a glass wall light

Most of the range combines glass with metal, so the finish matters too. We stock brass, gold, chrome, nickel, silver and black finishes, in polished, satin, brushed, matt and antique sheens. Polished chrome and nickel bounce light around and suit a crisp, modern room, while antique brass and bronze bring warmth to a period home. Matt black outlines the glass sharply against a pale wall.

In style, most designs are modern and many are traditional, with art deco, industrial and vintage looks too. To tie a room together, match the metal to your door handles, switch plates or a mirror frame.

Choosing a bulb for a glass wall light

We stock glass wall lights that take E14, E27 or G9 bulbs, so check the cap on the listing before you buy. E14 is the small screw cap, E27 the standard screw cap, and G9 a compact capsule bulb with looped pins that pushes into place. Some have an integrated LED, where the light source is built into the fitting. For a light that takes bulbs, unless the listing says they are included, plan to buy them alongside it.

A clear shade leaves the bulb on show, so choose a decorative filament bulb and make its glow part of the design. Behind opal glass the bulb is hidden, so a plain bulb does the job. Whatever you choose, stay within the maximum wattage on the listing. An LED bulb also runs cooler than a halogen one, which suits a snug glass shade.

Warm white and dimmable glass wall lights

Many of our glass wall lights give a warm white light, which suits living rooms and bedrooms. Where you fit the bulb yourself, you choose the colour: around 2700K reads cosy and golden, while 3000K is a touch crisper but still warm. With an integrated LED, the colour temperature is set by the fitting, so check it on the listing before you order.

Many are dimmable, so the same light can give a bright welcome when you come home and a low glow late at night. Check what the listing asks for, as dimming usually needs a dimmable bulb and a compatible dimmer switch.

Using a glass wall light in a bathroom

Many of our glass wall lights are rated IP44, which means they are protected against splashing water. If you are lighting a bathroom, choose one of these and ask a qualified electrician to fit it and confirm the right position near the bath, basin or shower. A light without a splash rating belongs in a dry room.

Steam can leave spots on glass, so wipe a bathroom wall light over once it is off and cool, and dry it fully. Beside a mirror, opal glass softens the light on your face and keeps the bulb out of your eyeline.

Cleaning a glass wall light

Glass shows dust and fingerprints, so a regular clean keeps it bright. Switch the light off and let it cool first, as glass holds heat. Dust with a soft, dry cloth. For marks, use a soft cloth with a little warm soapy water on the glass only, keeping it away from the lampholder and any flex, then dry the glass fully before you switch back on.

If the shade lifts off, wash it by hand rather than in a dishwasher, and let it dry completely before you refit it. A soft brush reaches into the grooves of ribbed glass, and a cotton bud helps around crystal. Avoid abrasive pads and strong sprays, which can scratch the glass or dull a metal finish.