Lighting Designers' New Trick: 'Wall Washing' for Spacious, Calm Rooms
Lighting designers and architects have developed a technique called 'wall washing' to enhance spatial perception and ambiance in rooms. This method involves placing lights around 2.5 feet from the wall, using a wider beam angle to create less shadow and a more even distribution of light.
Wall washing is particularly powerful for spaces where you want the wall to recede and allow the art, furniture, or architectural lines to take center stage. It transforms a room by casting an even, diffused glow across a vertical surface, making the room feel taller, wider, and calmer.
To get the effect right, consider light positioning, wall surfaces, and light angle beams. Lighter, matte walls tend to give the best effect, and placement should be around a third of the wall's height away from the wall itself. Avoid placing lights too close to the wall to prevent highlighting every little bump or brushstroke, and avoid using overly bright sources that create glare.
Wall washing is often used in living rooms, hallways, and bathrooms to highlight wall coverings, artwork, or architectural features. Compared to simply shining spotlights down on the floor, it's a more effective, comfortable, and aesthetically pleasing way of lighting a room. It creates the illusion of more space, feels cozier, and illuminates the room by reflecting off the walls, making a room feel bigger, brighter, and less cluttered.
