Can You Put A Flush Ceiling Light On A Wall?

Q: Can You Put A Flush Ceiling Light On A Wall?

As the name implies, flush ceiling lights are used on ceilings but yes some styles can also be fixed on walls. According to Alina Enache, a registered architect and head design consultant at Scotlight Direct, “ Some styles of flush fitting ceiling lights can be used on a wall if required; however, you should be aware of any glare that comes from the light bulbs if the fitting is installed at eye level. I would recommend installing the flush fitting on a dimmer switch which means you can reduce the light output and resolve any glare issues that occur.” In light of this, you should know the types of flush ceiling lights you can fix on the wall and how to go about them.

Can You Install A Ceiling Light On A Wall?

Explained:Can You Put A Ceiling Light On A Wall?

As the name implies, ceiling lights are used on ceilings but yes some styles can also be fixed on walls such as flush ceiling lighting. According to Alina Enache, a registered architect and head design consultant at Scotlight Direct, “ Some styles of flush fitting ceiling lights can be used on a wall if required; however, you should be aware of any glare that comes from the light bulbs if the fitting is installed at eye level. I would recommend installing the flush fitting on a dimmer switch which means you can reduce the light output and resolve any glare issues that occur.” In light of this, you should know the types of flush ceiling lights you can fix on the wall and how to go about them.

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Be Sensible; Not All Lights Work On The Wall.

Even though flush ceiling lights can be used on the wall, you should consider the following tips when deciding where to put them on your wall, as not all flush-fitting ceiling lights can work as wall lights.

Flush-Fitting Ceiling lights with hanging parts may not work on the wall: A ceiling light with hanging parts, such as flush chandeliers or lights with hanging crystals, can’t work on a wall. Why? It requires too much tweaking with the multiple parts to install the ceiling lights on the wall. Also, you can imagine how awkward it would look on the wall and the hanging parts would that sit correctly. An example of this is listed below.

Searchlight 3306-6CC Hanna 6 Light Chrome andamp; Crystal Semi-Flush — Example Of A Flush Ceiling Light Which You Would Not Install On Your Wall

The heat produced by the light may be inadequate for a wall: Another fact you should consider before installing a flush ceiling light on your wall is that some of these flush ceiling fittings emit light and heat that is not fit for wall installation.

A ceiling light that requires too much tweaking with moving parts before it can be hung on the wall is a no-no: The process for fixing walls and ceiling sockets is different. Installing a ceiling light meant to hang vertically on a wall that allows for horizontal placement might be risky, especially if the ceiling light is heavy. It can damage your wall.

4 Types Of Flush Ceiling Lights That Can Hang On Walls.

Knowing which flush-fitting ceiling light to install on your wall can be tricky, but below are some types of flush ceiling lighting you can go for in your home.

Recessed Lights: Recessed ceiling lights can easily be used as wall lights because they can stay flush on the wall. They have no hanging parts that would make them look awkward. Recessed ceiling lights also have wall counterparts with very similar features, so you don’t need to do much tweaking when installing them on your wall. One thing you should note is recessed lights will require you to cut a hole in your wall.

Flush Ceiling Spotlights: Like the recessed lights, the flush ceiling spotlights can be used on the wall. Most spotlights have adjustable heads and can be made to be flush to the wall. This proves to be a great advantage, especially if the light is installed in an area of the wall that can easily be reached. Since a spotlight is usually made of metal, you can be sure that the chances of accidents are minimal.

Searchlight 1541AB Focus 1 Light Antique Brass Wall Spotlight — Spotlight Which Can Be Fitted To Wall Or Ceiling

LED Flush Mount Lights: These flush-fitting ceiling lights are like the complete package if you want to turn a ceiling light into a wall light. LED flush mount lights can be sealed and mounted flush to the wall. They also don’t have any hanging parts that can make them look awkward on the wall and are lightweight. This means that there are no chance of your walls getting damaged.

Searchlight 7684-33SI LED Silver Bathroom Flush Fitting — LED Flush Ceiling Light Which Could Also be Fitted To A Wall

Track lights: Track lights are a good replacement for flush ceiling spotlights. Track lights are your go-to if you wish to highlight a part of your wall. The beauty of track lights is that you can use any simple ceiling light with them to make decorative directional light.

When installing a flush-fitting ceiling light on your wall, be careful because if it spoils during installation, it could void your warranty. Your insurance might not cover such damage. This implies you have to hire a professional to install the lights and always take their advice on whether the light is suitable for the area of installation. You can also go for lights with more aesthetics such as glass to enhance the beauty of your wall.

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Adam Malvern

Adam is an in-house technical writer for Scotlight Direct, a website dedicated to providing the latest and most accurate information on lighting topics. With a passion for writing and a deep understanding of various lighting concepts and designs. Adam has been a valuable asset to the team since joining in 2019.