How do I plan accent lighting for a NB feature wall?

Accent lighting for a feature wall is all about layering light to create depth and drama — and with the right planning, it's a project a licensed electrician can complete efficiently in a single visit.

The first step is deciding what you're highlighting. In New Brunswick homes, popular feature walls include stone or brick fireplaces, shiplap or board-and-batten walls, built-in shelving units, and artwork galleries. Each surface responds differently to light — rough textures like stone look stunning with grazing light (fixtures mounted close to the surface, angling light across it to emphasize texture), while flat walls with artwork benefit from washing light (fixtures mounted further away for even, broad illumination).

Choosing Your Fixture Type

Recessed pot lights are the most common choice for NB homeowners — they're clean, modern, and versatile. For accent lighting, you want adjustable gimbal pot lights (also called eyeball trims) so you can aim the beam precisely at your feature wall. These are typically installed 12–18 inches from the wall and spaced 24–36 inches apart depending on ceiling height. LED strip lighting behind floating shelves or along the top of a feature wall creates a beautiful indirect glow effect and is increasingly popular in Fredericton and Moncton renovations. Picture lights or wall sconces are wired directly into the wall and work beautifully for gallery-style displays.

The Electrical Planning Side

This is where a licensed electrician becomes essential. A proper accent lighting setup typically requires a dedicated switched circuit — ideally on a dimmer switch — so you can control the mood independently from your main room lighting. Most accent lighting setups run on a standard 15A circuit (14 AWG wiring), but if you're combining multiple fixture types, your electrician will calculate the load. If your feature wall is on an exterior wall, your electrician also needs to account for vapour barrier penetrations carefully — a common consideration in NB's cold climate where air sealing matters.

TSANB requires a permit for any new circuit installation, including accent lighting circuits. Your electrician will pull this permit before work begins and arrange the inspection. Don't skip this step — unpermitted electrical work can void your home insurance and create problems when you sell.

Typical Costs in New Brunswick

For a feature wall accent lighting project, budget roughly $150–$250 per pot light installed, including wiring. A full feature wall setup with 4–6 adjustable pot lights, a dimmer switch, and a new circuit typically runs $800–$1,500 depending on ceiling height, wall construction, and your panel's available capacity. If your panel is already near capacity, a small subpanel or circuit reorganization may add cost.

Planning Tips Before Your Electrician Arrives

Sketch out where you want fixtures positioned and at what height. Know whether you want the lights on a separate switch from the rest of the room (almost always yes). Consider smart dimmer switches — brands like Lutron Caseta are compatible with most NB electricians' installations and let you control accent lighting from your phone or voice assistant.

New Brunswick Electrical can match you with a local electrician who can walk through your feature wall vision and provide a free estimate — getting a professional eye on the project before committing to a layout saves time and money.