Lighting Guide: Rechargeable vs Wired Lights

Finding the right light isn’t just about how it looks, it’s also about the functionality it brings to your home. Whether you’re looking to cast beautiful shadows across the room with a showstopping sculptured fitting, or hoping to illuminate a reading nook, or add ambient light to an outdoor alfresco setting, choosing between rechargeable and wired lighting can make all the difference in both the style and ambience of your home.

Rechargeable lighting:
Illuminate Your Home, Wherever You Need it Most

Designed with freedom in mind, a rechargeable lamp can help shine a light in any area without the need for a plug socket nearby. Ideal for adding illumination in areas like the bookshelf, kitchen worktop, dining table or guest bedroom, a portable lamp offers complete flexibility and doesn’t need to be situated in just one place.

When hardwiring isn’t an option - whether renting or not wanting the upheaval of rewiring - rechargeable lights can offer the best solution. You can move them, recharge them, and reimagine their use time and time again.

Rechargeable lighting options don’t just stop at lamps - wireless wall lights are also an option. Perfect for soothing bedrooms, hallways and living spaces, they offer a fuss-free way to introduce lights that appear to be wired but in actual fact are rechargeable.

Tom’s Top Tip: Most portable lights require charging up at the plug before using, so it’s worth checking both the charging time and how long they’ll stay illuminated. A long battery life will ensure you’re not left in the dark while hosting. At Tom Raffield, all of our cordless lights have a battery life of 8 hours at full power and up to an impressive 144 hours at low power, meaning you’ll have hours of ambient enjoyment.

Hot List: Shop Our Portable Lights

Wired lighting:
Bring Light and Drama to Your Fitted Lighting Fixtures

Ceiling and wall lights are the backbone of every scheme. They provide functional illumination where you need it most, while also playing a key role in contributing to the layered approach that combines both task and ambient lighting for a balanced and inviting setting.

Acting as an anchor to the overall scheme, wired lighting is often the centrepiece of a room, and with that, it offers an abundance of opportunities to make a real statement.

Whether looking for a statement pendant to bring drama to the living room, like our Shoal Chandelier, or to add a trio combination, such as Loer Pendant Small to a kitchen island, wired lighting opens up a world of possibilities. Wall lights are equally as important, great at leading the way in the hallway, or providing soft ambient lighting in areas of relaxation like the bedroom. Designs like Eddy Wall Light or Neap Wall Light add both function and finesse, seamlessly complementing your overall scheme.

We handcraft each light fitting to order, meaning that no two pieces are ever identical. Built to last, our lights can be installed once and offer long-term beauty with minimal fuss.

Tom’s Top Tip: Plan your lighting early! Wired lighting can completely transform your home, but it’s important to consider the placement of electrical points at the start of a renovation. Think about how you’ll use the room and how best to layer the lighting depending on the task and mood of the room.

Hot List: Shop Our Wired Lighting

Posted: 20.08.25
Updated: 22.08.25