How to Mount a Swing Arm Light on a Wall
Swing arm lights and lamps are ideal for lighting situations where you need to get the light in exactly the right position. To make this lighting alternative even better, installation is barely more difficult than plugging in a freestanding lamp. Below, find out specific steps for how to mount a swing arm light on a wall. As long as you proceed step by step, installation is a breeze.
First: Assembling your tools
The tools required for this job are really quite minimal. All you really need is a power drill with an appropriately sized bit, a screwdriver, a level and a tape measure. In addition, have a pencil handy for marking the locations where you plan to drill.
Second: Choosing the location
The first consideration in installing a swing arm light or lamp is deciding where you want to put it. This is decided in part by the location of your electrical outlets. Decide how high you want the lamp on the wall. Using the tape measure, check that when the lamp is in position, the cord on the lamp can conveniently reach an outlet.
Third: Marking and drilling the holes
Hold the wall mount part of the lamp and/or the mounting brackets (depending on how your particular lamp mounts) against the wall where you want to install it. Use the level to get it precisely positioned. This ensures the swing arm works properly. Use the pencil, and lightly mark the centers of where you need to drill holes.
Fourth: Mount the lamp
Have a friend hold the lamp in position over the newly drilled holes. Use a screwdriver to insert the screws through the base and into the wall. Snug them up so that the lamp is held securely in place.