Outdoor Lighting Ideas and Tips

Outdoor lighting is one of the most visible ways to distinguish your style, from walkway and doorway illumination to deck and patio lighting. If you’re new to outdoor fixtures, there are just a few basic guidelines for size, placement, and style to follow to make sure your lights will look great and work well where you want to put them.



Before you begin your light fixture search, think about the outdoor area you would like to refresh with new lighting, and the lighting needs specific to those areas. Here are a few of the most common types of outdoor lighting that you will want to consider, from outdoor hanging lights and wall lights, to exterior ceiling lights and post lights.

Outdoor lighting placement is not just an aesthetic choice, but also a practical one. When choosing where to put your outdoor light, you’ll want to ensure that the fixture is suited for the intended area.
Wattage and bulb base requirements will vary for individual outdoor lighting fixtures, but for an energy efficient and customizable experience, select LED bulbs whenever possible. These bulbs save energy (and money!), are long lasting, and are available in a range of color tones so you can select the bulb that best suits your needs. Warmer, dimmer bulbs are best for most outdoor settings, as they illuminate the space without creating too harsh a contrast between the lit area and the darkness beyond.

What material your fixture is constructed from will affect where it can be placed. Fixtures that will come into direct contact with harsh wet or icy weather conditions need to be made of strong, damage-resistant materials. Resin composite, brass, and copper tend to make the most weather resistant fixtures. Copper outdoor lights are intended to gracefully patina over time, however in coastal areas copper patinas more quickly and requires routine rinsing and upkeep. If you don’t care for copper’s signature verdigris then you may want to consider marine grade outdoor fixtures.

In order to be considered safe for outdoors, a lighting fixture must have either a wet or a damp rating, but these ratings aren’t identical. Damp fixtures (which also tend to be hung in bathrooms) are suitable for use in covered areas where direct contact from rain, ice, and snow will be minimal. Wet rated fixtures, however, can be safely exposed to the elements without fear of damage or malfunction.


When you place front porch lights or wall sconces, it is important that the fixtures are an appropriate size in relation to the front door. Outdoor lanterns should be approximately one fifth the height and width of the doorway, including trim. (For example a 100" high by 60" wide entrance would require a 20"Hx12"W fixture.) Post lights should be as large, or larger than the lights at your front door. Place your electrical box for your exterior light so that the top of the fixture is 20% lower than the top of the molding. Allow for the side door molding also.



Use our chart (below) to take the guess work out of what size light to use. When in Doubt go larger. Remember, from 50 feet away your lights will appear half their size. And don't forget to include the door trim in your measurements!


DESIGNER TIP: Using a wall lantern on each side of the door frame is an appealing choice for symmetrical entries. However, if space is tight, one light placed on the door knob side will work. Feel free to go a little larger in size, up to 1/3 of the door frame height. Add an overhead light if more light is desired.

Outdoor lights should be compatible with the look and lines of a house. Open bottom fixtures are better for down lighting an area, and glass-topped lanterns are the better choice for accenting architectural elements above and around the door. Outdoor lighting can provide sleek cohesion when the style of light matches the style of your home. Rustic outdoor lights are the perfect finishing touches for lodge-style homes and cabins while rugged industrial outdoor lights or sleek modern outdoor lights add a bold note to contemporary and Craftsmen style designs. Dress up a coastal cottage with seaworthy nautical outdoor lights, or turn to time-tested traditional outdoor lights for Victorian, Mediterranean, Colonial, Georgian, and other classic home styles. Once you’ve found a great fixture for your outdoor space, you may also want to consider coordinating your outdoor ceiling fan and outdoor furniture with the style of fixture you’ve chosen!