Picture Lights

A picture light is specifically designed to illuminate artwork, photographs, or mirrors, typically mounted above the frame to cast light directly downward. It focuses on highlighting a defined area with minimal glare. A wall light, on the other hand, provides general or ambient lighting for the room and comes in a wide range of decorative styles. Picture lights are more directional and purpose-driven than standard wall lights.

As a general rule, your picture light should be about 50–75% of the width of the artwork it’s lighting. For small frames (up to 40cm wide), a 20–25cm light is usually enough. Medium artworks (40–80cm wide) suit 30–45cm lights. Larger pieces may require 50cm+ lights for even coverage. Always consider adjustability and beam angle for best results.

Yes, picture lights are generally safe for paintings—especially when using LED lights, which emit minimal heat and no UV radiation. Traditional halogen or incandescent bulbs may generate heat and light that can fade or damage artwork over time. For valuable or delicate pieces, choose LED lights with a high CRI and low UV output to protect colours and materials.

Yes – a battery powered LED picture light is ideal when you don’t have easy access to a mains socket. Cordless picture lights give you flexible placement for those awkward spots, such as stairways or alcoves, without needing any wiring. Many LED picture lights offer up to around 40 hours of use on fresh batteries and often include a handy remote control, so you can switch your artwork on and off or adjust the light from the comfort of your sofa.