How to light a brick wall?

Have you chosen a brick wall for your interiors? That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the end of the decorative process! You can still have plenty of fun while figuring out the best ways of showcasing the beauty of the brick cladding. One of the best ways of doing that is by utilising some engaging lighting fixtures. How to light a brick wall to get the results you want?

The most popular way of lighting the brick cladding is called grazing. In this method, the light fixtures are set at the top and shine down on the wall. Usually, they are positioned close to the surface so they can hit it at a quite narrow angle. As the name suggests, the light should just graze the brick wall, not shine at it directly. The placement of the light fixtures and the angle of the stream will play a massive part and influence the final look of your space. If they're placed too close to the textured wall, it may create deep shadows, which will look harsh and uninviting.

Most lighting features direct the stream of light from above to the ground. But you can go against the grain and select brick wall lighting that comes from below and creates a highly dramatic effect. This method works best with textured surfaces, which means it is perfect for bricks. Of course, the more coarse and rough finish of the wall, the more striking look you’ll achieve. Just as with grazing, the light will be bounced back into the room and give the space a more cosy and relaxing feel. Where to place the light fixtures? Your choice! On the floor, above the baseboard, or even embedded into the ground. 

You’re not a fan of accentuating the surface of your brick wall? Don’t worry - there are ways of creating a much smoother look that hides its imperfect texture. One of them is wash lighting! What is it exactly? This method focuses on moving the light fixtures away from the wall, so the light can spread out evenly on the wall and even subtly fill in any dimples or cracks on its surface. The key here is spacing the light sources correctly so they’re not too close and not too far away from each other - you want to create a continuous stream of light on the whole brick wall. 

If you want to bring attention to certain parts of the brick wall, go for smaller light fixtures that will brighten only selected spots. For example, choose glow lights in the form of pendants and place them hanging in front of the brick wall to add some ambience without affecting the masonry work. You can also use the LED lighting of a brick wall to show off a beautiful mirror or point out your favourite piece of art. Just place the LED strip underneath the edges so the glow can escape from there and softly illuminate the area. 

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