Why wireless lamps are all the rage in interiors now

Portable lighting

The world of lighting has gone loopy for wireless lamps. Here, we’re investigating why people love them so much…

Who knew wireless lamps would suddenly be all the rage? Certainly not me, when I started writing this piece after my editor casually noticed a rise in portable lighting. Just a couple of weeks later, I discovered plenty new launches, let alone all the ones that have come before.

Kitchen design with wood shelves, pale pink wall paint, patterned ceramics, house plants, and wood salt and pepper mills.
Virgil rechargeable table lamp matt black base, £54, Dar Lighting.

Which begs the question – why is this style of lighting growing in popularity? “It’s easy to see why,” says Jo Plant, chief creative officer at Pooky. “We’ve been conditioned to think of lighting as something that sits neatly around the edges of a room or as a fixed focal point on the ceiling. But rechargeable lights break that mould, allowing people to place them wherever they like: no sockets, wiring, or electricians required.”

Meanwhile, Massimo Buster Minale, founder and creative director of Buster + Punch, echoes the sentiment while adding, “These lamps can be placed on a bookshelf, set at the centre of a dining table, or moved between rooms with ease, delivering a functional yet soothing glow.”

A neutral interior scheme with a round table with linen table cloth, warm lighting, and minimalist decor.
Chiswick portable table lamp, £165, The White Company.
A modern kitchen with dark units, marble surfaces, floating shelves decorated with plates, and a wood pantry.
Blossom portable light in Rusty Red, £499, Original BTC.

Types of portable lighting

It’s not just table lamps anymore. Anything from pendants to wall fixtures can be made portable, giving you the freedom to move them around without the hassle of retro fitting that comes with re-positioning a traditional wired option. “The sustained popularity of portable rechargeable lights highlights the shift toward flexible and convenient lighting solutions,” says Charlie Bowles, director of Original BTC, who also points out the benefit of reducing energy consumption and lowering carbon emissions.

“They allow users to adapt lighting to various spaces and occasions; this practical approach offers environmentally conscious and versatile solutions that align with modern living,” he continues.

An outdoor area with a dark marble table, white table lamp, and greenery.
&Tradition Flowerpot VP9 portable lamp in Matte White, around £199.21 (€189), Nedgis.

How to use wireless lamps

So, where do portable lights feel most at home? Kitchens today are multifunctional, so lighting has to work hard in this space with a layered scheme that is suitable for cooking as well as entertaining.

“Rechargeable wall lights excel here because they provide both,” says Jo. “They create a gentle, ambient glow for mood and entertaining, while directional fittings can double up as effective task lighting. Uplighters bounce light upwards to make a room feel more open, and downlighters concentrate illumination where it’s needed most – perfect for worktops or preparation zones.”

A stylish kitchen design with rechargeable wall lights, marble surfaces, and dark cabinets.
Chukka rechargeable wall fitting, £100, with 20cm empire shade in Black and Cream Atlas, £52, Pooky.
A stone table with croissant and cappuccino and a marble and opal glass table lamp.
Design By Us Trip portable lamp in Burgundy and Opal glass, £516, Lagoon.

In the bedroom, you can use wireless table lamps on your nightstand, and in the bathroom, they will add style and practicality. Jo recommends keeping them clear of splashes and spills, although Massimo argues that many models are now IP65-rated, meaning they’re protected against low-pressure water jets from any direction.

A yellow bedroom with a wood dresser and portable lighting.
Celeste rechargeable table lamp in Green Ikat, £100, Cox & Cox.

One thing is certain: wherever you choose to place them, these little gems will offer some much-needed, soft lighting, without the limitations of cables.

So, if you are ready to go portable, get inspired to add a soft glow to your interiors by these portable table lamps…

Moodboard edit of rechargeable table lamps.
1. Pose portable light in Baby Blue, £210, Tom Dixon. 2. Chrome Shard rechargeable table lamp, £45, Next. 3. Noctis Skipper table light, £265, Tom Raffield. 4. Takeout light in Brass, £275, Buster + Punch. 5. Dark Seafoam Mini Grisewood wireless lamp, £150, Oka. 6. Malli rechargeable table lamp, £169, Lights & Lamps. 7. Green Mushy lamp, £24, Idyll Home.

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