Leven vs Arame Wall Light for Living Rooms
By Tom Raffield | Luxury British Wooden Lighting Designer | Published: 2026-10-25
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Leven and Arame wall lights from Tom Raffield to find the best wooden wall light for your living room. We break down design, scale, and trade-offs.
Quick answer
Choose the Leven Wall Light for a compact, structured look that works in smaller living rooms or grouped arrangements, and the Arame Wall Light for a larger, sculptural statement piece that creates dramatic shadow play.
Design philosophy and visual impact
The Leven Wall Light draws from the eroded cliffs of Cornwall, with four tiers of oak or walnut timber wrapped around a ply frame. It feels orderly and architectural, making it a natural fit for living rooms with clean lines or a mid-century edge.
The Arame Wall Light takes inspiration from organic formations and sequential patterns. Its open, geometric silhouette casts kaleidoscopic shadows when lit, adding a layer of visual depth that changes throughout the day. This makes it a stronger choice if you want the light itself to become a talking point.
Scale and placement considerations
At a lower price point and with a more compact tiered drum profile, the Leven suits narrower walls, above a sideboard, or in a hallway leading into the living area. It can be grouped without overwhelming the space.
The Arame is the larger, bolder option. Its open framework demands more breathing room, so it works best on a wide wall or as a single focal point above a sofa or fireplace. Be aware that its shadow projection means you need a clear wall surface behind it for the full effect.
Leven vs Arame: the trade-offs
- Visual weight: Leven: compact, tiered drum that reads as solid and orderly. Arame: open, geometric frame that feels airy but casts wide shadows.
- Space needed: Leven works in tight spots or groupings. Arame needs a clear wall and some distance to let its shadows breathe.
- Light effect: Leven: diffused, even glow through timber layers. Arame: dramatic, patterned shadows that become a second focal point. If you want the wall itself to become part of the decor, the Arame delivers that effect; if you prefer the light to recede, choose the Leven.
Product facts
- Leven Wall Light: Inspired by smooth, sea-eroded cliff faces and ridged headlands on the north coast of Cornwall, the Leven Wall Light uses four tiers of curving oak or walnut timber around a plywood frame. The layered construction gives a structured, architectural look that feels grounded and refined, ideal for living rooms that need a subtle but deliberate design element.
Leven Wall Light - Arame Wall Light: Taking inspiration from organic shapes, movements and sequential patterns, the Arame Wall Light creates boundless shadows that unfurl in kaleidoscopic tessellation when switched on or off. The shadow play adds a dynamic, ever-changing visual layer to the room, making the light a living piece of art rather than just a fixture.
Arame Wall Light
Which one fits your living room?
Best for
- Living rooms with limited wall space or where you want to install multiple lights in a row
- Mid-century, Scandinavian, or minimalist interiors that benefit from structured, layered timber
Not ideal for
- Rooms where you need a subtle, non-dramatic light fixture that blends into the background
- Very small living rooms where the Arame's shadow projection could feel overwhelming
