“Hang a plug-in picture light 2 to 3 inches above the frame, about half to two-thirds as wide as the art, and plug it in. Warm LED, 90+ CRI, cord cover in your wall color. Gallery vibes, zero electrician.”
Designer tip
6 steps to gallery lighting in a rental
- Size it to the art. Rule of thumb from Edward Martin: one-half to two-thirds of the artwork's width. A 36-inch piece takes an 18 to 24-inch light.
- Mount it 2 to 3 inches above the frame. Follow the maker's mounting instructions before you drill.
- Aim at 30 to 45 degrees. That angle lights the whole piece without hot spots or glare on glass.
- Pick warm, true light. Aim for 2700K to 3000K and a CRI of 90 or higher. LEDs also emit no UV.
- Go deeper for thick frames. A telescoping arm (7 to 9 inches on the Contemporary 16") clears canvases and deep frames.
- Hide the cord. Run it straight down to the outlet and paint a cord cover to match the wall. On most of our picks the switch sits on the cord, 3 feet from the plug.
Our plug-in picture light picks
Advent Arch LED Plug-In Picture Light, Natural Brass
A focused arch spot for small art, GU10 LED included.
Contemporary 16" Satin Nickel Plug-In Picture Light
The arm telescopes from 7 to 9 inches for deeper frames.
Hyde Park 16" Oil Rubbed Bronze Plug-In Picture Light
A swivel at the shade to aim light over your art.
More no-wiring ideas: How Can I Add Lighting to a Rental Without an Electrician?
Frequently asked questions
Can I add a picture light without an electrician?
Yes. A plug-in picture light hangs above the frame and plugs into a standard outlet. Most of our House of Troy picks have an in-line switch on the cord.
What size picture light do I need?
A common rule of thumb is one-half to two-thirds the width of the artwork. A 24-inch piece takes a light of about 12 to 16 inches.
Will a picture light damage my art?
Choose LED: Edward Martin notes that LEDs emit no UV, the light that fades artwork. The House of Troy Horizon is listed as no UV.
What color temperature is best for art?
Warm white around 2700K to 3000K, with a CRI of 90 or higher for true colors.
How do I hide the cord?
Run it straight down behind or beside the frame to the outlet, and use a paintable cord cover in your wall color.
Send us a photo of your wall and we will help you size it: LoftModern Design Help.