If lighting is an afterthought in home decor, then wall lights maybe the most overlooked element. Walllights can be crucial in solving lighting issues, especially in tight or unusual spaces. Of course, they add warmth to any space without being overwhelming and can also serve as an art piece. So many cool wall lightsare available that you shouldn’t have a problem finding something that works for your home decor style. Here are some of the newest designs for wall lights that were shown at Maison&Objet 2016 in Paris.

&Tradition

This amazing wall light is by &Tradition of Denmark. It can also be configured as ceiling fixture, as well as mounted to cross walls, ceiling and corners.

“Light Forest” by Ontwerp Duo (Tineke Beunders and Nathan Wiring) and presented by &Tradition is special in a number orways. First, for its adaptability: You can configure the fixture any way you want, and point the lights in the direction you need.“Electric points never seem to be where you want them,” says Beunders. “With Light Forest you can have the light points exactly where you want them to shine.”<

Second, the melange of materials and processes used is varied. The branches of the wall light are made fromextruded aluminum tubes, joinedby plastic connectors that are 3-D printed. Each lampshade is fashioned from spun copper, which the designers say produces a warm and beautiful light.

And last but not least, for its artistry: “We thought about climbing plants entering your room in one spot, slowly growing across the ceilings and walls, and blossoming into flowers of light,” explains the design team.

Configured as a geometric design or like wild tree branches, Light Forest stylishly solves any lighting challenge.

Art et Floritude

Geometric and spare yet dramatic, these wall lights from Art et Floritude cast a soft and sexy mood light.

Art et Floritudemay be known for producing lighting in an 18th CenturyFrench tradition, but they also create some stunning wall lights that would be at home in any modern or contemporary home decor setting. Founded in 1850 in the Loire Valley, the company has built its history on developing and manufacturing decorative metal light fixtures and porcelain flowers. All their collections are just as much art and sculpture as well as lighting fixture.

Obsidian is a lighting sculpture made of Obsidien stone and nickel by interior designer Christine Goumit, who has served as artistic director for Yves Saint Laurent. The glassy volcanic stone is rich in symbolism and is believed to ward off evil spells and spirits.Hung on the wall, this fixture of leaves is as much a work of sculpture as it is a wall light. The backlight piece creates a very relaxing mood.An explosion of discs bridges the gap between classic and contemporary. The arrangement of circles plays with the light, making it an mood-setting wall light as well as a striking sculpture.

Lahumiere Design

The round“Circolo” useslight and shadow for its design, giving theimpression of a half sphere withmovement around it. The outer slice can be positioned horizontally, or anywhere in between.

Founded in 2008, Lahumiere Design is a French studio dedicated todesigning and manufacturing contemporary light fixtures that surprisein a minimalist style.Their fixturesmostlyuse low energy lightsources such as the latest generation of LED and compact fluorescent bulbs. Their collection of geometric wall lights — which also come as table lamps — are visual illusions as well.

As with their other LED lights, the shapes in this wall light can be positioned horizontally, vertically, or in any direction you desire.

The “Operandi” wall light moves and does not stop.The layers of the fixture bounce light and create shadows with its four LED lights. The fixture is a commanding design addition and provides a soft and striking light.

As a single wall light or grouped with others from the collection, these lights are beautiful geometric that would work will in a modern or contemporary style space.

“Outright” is a visual deception: A simple form manipulated and lighted to project the image of a cube.It was inspired bya sculpture by Jean-Claude Lahumière (alias Jean D’Imbleval). LED lights make the fixture possible and keep it lightweight,while projectinga beautiful play of light shadows.

Ligne Roset

Eminently versatile, these wall lights can be tipped up or down to change the nature of the illumination. Pointed downward, it can function as a task light, but when pointed upward, it is more of a torchiere, providing ambient light.These wall lights would be perfect in a bedroom as well as a living room. Their versatility would be welcome in a reading area or as a bedside light.

Known for its artful and luxurious pieces, Ligne Roset offers furniture collections and complementary decorative accessories, lighting, rugs, textiles and occasional items. Among their lighting options are some minimalist and very functional wall lights.

These cool lights offer just enough illumination over the sofa but would also be perfect in a hallway. Here they are shown as a pair, but could also be installed singly or in a larger grouping.Unobtrusive and still interesting, these lights a in sync with Ligne Roset’s modern style.

Tekna

The Annet Gauze-C wall light is done in weathered brass with clear glass the fixture has a spring closure. In the background hangs the Portreath Mesh-C chandelier with sateen brass and clear glass.

Belgian company Tekna produces fixtures forNAUTIC, as well asproviding lighting advice and creating custom lightingfixtures for design projects.Nauticlight fixtures aremade withmaterials such as bronze, copper, cast iron and brass, aiming for “honest design.” Their eclectic lights are timeless, modern and inspired byold trains and ships from a bygone age.

The wall light and ceiling versions of the Bounty light are versatile and marine-inspired.The Spreaderlight wall light is made in sandcasted brass with frosted glass. Available in several metal finishes, the light resembles a ship’s bell.

Innermost

The steel and aluminum YOYlight looks like a minimal socket on the wall until you switch it on, when it becomes something completely different — a traditionally shaped lamp projected on the wall. It defies reality and is “a perfect marriage of illusion and technology.”

The founders of Innermost — aLondon lighting design company — gave up their jobs indesign consulting and furniture design to pursue a“shared dream of a unique but diverse furniture and lighting brand.” The companyhas a“quirky and rebellious approach to design driven by high-spirited London culture,” explains their website.

The YOYlight is available in a table version as well as a wall light.A touch of whimsy that’s completely appropriate for a masculine space — that’s what these wall lights are. The “Jeeves” bowler hat style and the top hat version are made from wool hats lined with an aluminum interior.

Drugeot Labo

While France’sDrugeot Labomay have arisen from acider barrel-making company, the fixtures it now produces are far from rustic. Jean-Louis Rochepeau, the father of the current directors, designed wooden objects on his own in his workshop near the Drugeot river.In 1969, he startedLes Ateliers du Drugeot anddesigned a range of occasional wood furniture in solid oak and cherry.Now the studios create pieces that work in today’s modern and contemporary home interiors.

The studio’s wide range of wooden furnishings includes wall lights that have a playful flair. Called “Cerf Volant,” these wall lights are inspired by kites from childhood. The cool light — made of oak — can be pointed any direction and comes with a textile cord in white, grey or red.The Triangle lights, and round fixture below them, are modern wall lights that still highlight the beauty of the wood. The triangle lights are available in different colors.

Brokis

The “Mona” wall lights are dark and dramatic. The long, horizontal bulb inside the round shade is unusual and adds interest.

Based in the Czech Republic,BROKIScreates designs that are enhanced by thecraftsmanship of Bohemian glass artisans. Its award-winning collections are originalsthatcombine traditional, hand-blown glass with other materials, such as wood and hand-pressed metal.

Modern or not, wall lights can be a space-saving and artful design feature in your home. Making proper use of them in your lighting plan can elevate a room from ho-hum to fantastic.