Published: January 2014 · Updated: July 2026 · by arch. Dan Dumitriu · FD.STIL
Accent light
Accent light directs the gaze. A painting, a wall texture, a treasured object — they all need light placed correctly. Below are the mounting rules we use in projects.
The 30-degree angle
To light a painting or any vertical surface, the spotlight is aimed at roughly 30 degrees from the vertical — so the light source stays out of sight and no distracting reflections appear on the work. As a rule, each object needs at least one light source of its own.
Measure the distance from the ceiling to the bottom of the painting (B–C), then mount the track or spotlight at distance A–B from the wall:
| Distance A–B (cm) | 30 | 50 | 65 | 85 | 100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Distance B–C (cm) | 60 | 90 | 120 | 150 | 180 |
The wall washed with light
For a texture-free surface, the track or spotlights are mounted on the ceiling 60–90 cm from the wall, for ceilings up to 2.75 m; between 2.75 and 3.35 m the distance grows to 90–120 cm. The light sources are spaced apart by the same distance as from the wall.
The wall with dramatic shadows
For textures brought out by shadows — curtains, stone, brick — the track or spotlight is mounted just 15–30 cm from the wall, with sources spaced apart by the same distance as from the wall, for even light.
Worth remembering: a light-washed wall itself becomes a source of general light for the whole room.
The right pieces
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