Wall washer lights are commonly used in interior design to add depth, drama and a touch of elegance to a space. They provide an even wash of light that highlights the textures and colors of the wall they are aimed at. However, getting the distance between the light fixture and wall correct is crucial to achieving the desired lighting effect. In this article, we will discuss how far wall washer lights should be from the wall.
Wall washer lights are designed to create downward or upward beams of light that wash the wall uniformly. The light fixture should be positioned at a fixed distance from the wall to create an even illumination pattern. However, this distance can vary depending on the size of the light fixture, the height of the ceiling, and the size of the wall being illuminated.
For an average-sized wall and a typical ceiling height, a wall washer light should be mounted between 12 inches to 18 inches from the wall. This distance allows the light to cover the entire wall surface, creating a uniform lighting effect. If the light fixture is too close to the wall, it will produce a hotspot that will be too intense and will distort the color of the wall. If it is too far, it will result in an uneven wash of light that will leave dark spots and shadows on the wall.
However, if you have a high ceiling or a large wall, you may need to adjust the distance between the light fixture and the wall. In this case, the light should be mounted farther from the wall to cover more vertical space. A good guideline is to position the light fixture about one-third of the way down from the ceiling for a high ceiling. This will create an even illumination pattern that will prevent shadows in the upper region of the wall.
For a large wall, you may need to use multiple wall washer lights that are spaced evenly across the surface, with each light mounted at the appropriate distance from the wall. This will provide an even wash of light across the entire wall surface.
In conclusion, the distance between wall washer lights and the wall they are illuminating is critical to achieving the desired lighting effect. For an average-sized wall and typical ceiling height, the distance should be between 12 inches to 18 inches. However, if you have a high ceiling or a large wall, positioning the light fixture further away from the wall can produce better illumination results. Multiple light fixtures can also be used to create an even wash of light across large wall surfaces.
