Imagine stepping out of your car after a long day, only to be greeted by a dimly lit, uninspiring façade. Not exactly the warm welcome you’d hope for, right?
Exterior wall lights serve multiple purposes, including creating ambiance, enhancing security, and significantly boosting your home’s curb appeal. But with the dizzying array of options available, how do you choose the perfect exterior wall lights for your home?
Let’s examine various exterior wall lights, from classic lanterns to modern LED wall washers so you can choose fixtures that are both aesthetically pleasing and durable enough to withstand weather and wear-and-tear.
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Types of Exterior Wall Lights
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of choosing the perfect exterior wall lights, let’s familiarize ourselves with the different types available.
Sconces
Sconces, a versatile type of exterior wall lights, are adaptable fixtures that can suit various architectural styles and lighting needs. These versatile fixtures are typically mounted on walls and come in an array of designs, from sleek and modern to ornate and traditional.
Sconces are incredibly adaptable and can be used to create ambiance, accent architectural features, or provide functional lighting.
One of the best things about sconces is their ability to cast light both upwards and downwards, creating a lovely interplay of light and shadow on your exterior walls! They’re perfect for framing doorways, illuminating pathways, or adding a touch of elegance to your porch or patio. When choosing sconces, consider the scale of your home — larger homes can handle bigger, more dramatic sconces, while smaller homes might benefit from more understated designs.
Lanterns
If you’re looking to add a touch of timeless charm to your home’s exterior, lanterns might be just the ticket. These classic fixtures harken back to a bygone era but can be seamlessly integrated into various home designs. From traditional coach lights to more contemporary interpretations, lanterns offer a wide range of styles to suit any taste.
Lanterns are particularly well-suited for entryways and porches, where they can create a warm, welcoming glow. They’re also great for adding character to garage doors or flanking a set of French doors! When selecting lanterns, pay particular attention to the finish — aged copper or wrought iron can lend a rustic feel, while polished brass or nickel can create a more refined look.
Flush Mount Lights
For those areas where space is at a premium, flush mount lights are your go-to option. These fixtures sit snug against the ceiling or wall, making them ideal for low overhangs, covered porches, or any area where you need general illumination without the fixture protruding too far.
Flush mount lights come in a variety of styles, from simple and utilitarian to more decorative designs. They’re great for providing even, ambient lighting in enclosed spaces like mudrooms or covered entryways. When choosing flush mount lights, consider the amount of light output you need — some fixtures allow for multiple bulbs, which can be helpful in larger spaces.
Semi-Flush Mount Lights
Think of semi-flush mount lights as the slightly more outgoing cousins of flush mount lights. Semi-flush mount lights hang a few inches from the ceiling or wall, creating a bit more visual interest while still maintaining a low profile. They’re a great middle ground between flush mounts and more prominent fixtures like chandeliers or pendants.
Semi-flush mount lights can also provide more focused lighting than their flush mount counterparts, making them excellent choices for areas where you need task lighting, like over a barbecue area or outdoor kitchen. They tend to have more decorative elements, allowing you to inject some personality into your exterior lighting scheme.
Spotlights
When it comes to highlighting specific features of your home or landscape, spotlights are the undisputed champions. These focused beams of light can be used to draw attention to architectural details, illuminate trees or shrubs, or even create dramatic shadow effects on your exterior walls.
The key to using spotlights effectively is proper placement, angling, and amount. Too many spotlights can make your home look like it’s under interrogation rather than tastefully illuminated!
Up/Down Lights
Last but certainly not least, we have up/down lights. These fixtures emit light in both upward and downward directions, creating a unique lighting effect that can add depth and visual interest to your exterior walls. They’re particularly great on textured surfaces or when used to frame architectural elements like columns or large windows.
In modern homes, these lights can create clean lines of light that accentuate the geometry of the building. In more traditional settings, they can be used to create a softer, more nuanced lighting effect.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Exterior Wall Lights
Choosing the right lights isn’t just about picking something that looks good, but about finding the perfect balance between aesthetics, functionality, energy efficiency, and durability.
Style and Aesthetics
Your choice of light fixtures can either enhance your home’s architectural beauty or stick out like a sore thumb. The goal is to select lights that complement your home’s existing design elements and create a cohesive look.
Begin your selection of outdoor house lights by evaluating your home’s architectural style to ensure a cohesive and visually appealing exterior lighting design.
Is it modern and minimalist?
Traditional and ornate?
Rustic and charming?
Your lighting should align with these characteristics. For instance, sleek, geometric fixtures might look out of place on a Victorian-style home, while ornate, scrollwork-heavy lanterns might clash with a contemporary facade.
When choosing outdoor lights for house exteriors, take into account other design elements such as siding color, window style, and existing outdoor décor to create a harmonious overall appearance. Your lighting should harmonize with these elements to create a unified look.
Functionality and Purpose
When choosing exterior house lights, while aesthetics play a role, prioritize functionality in your decision-making process to ensure optimal illumination and security for your home. After all, the primary purpose of exterior lighting is to light things up! But different areas of your home’s exterior may require different types of lighting.
Consider the various purposes of exterior lighting: security, ambiance, and navigation.
Security lighting should be bright and cover a wide area, making motion-activated flood lights a good choice.
For ambiance, softer, more decorative lighting like lanterns or sconces might be more appropriate.
And for navigation, you’ll want to ensure pathways, steps, and entryways are well-lit for safety.
When selecting fixtures, think about the specific function each light will serve. A bright, focused light might be perfect for illuminating your house number, but it could be overkill (and potentially annoying to neighbors) if used to light up your entire porch.
Energy Efficiency
When considering how much to change exterior wall lighting, factor in energy efficiency as a crucial aspect, as it can significantly impact both environmental sustainability and long-term cost savings.
Not only is it better for the environment, but it can also lead to significant savings on your energy bills. LED lights are leading the charge in energy-efficient lighting, offering long lifespans and low energy consumption.
When learning how to install exterior wall lights, ensure you choose fixtures compatible with LED bulbs, even if they’re not included, to future-proof your lighting setup. This will give you the flexibility to use energy-efficient bulbs in the future. Pay attention to lumens (the measure of light output) rather than wattage—a lower-wattage LED bulb can often provide the same amount of light as a higher-wattage incandescent bulb.
Also, consider fixtures with built-in energy-saving features. Motion sensors can ensure lights are only on when needed, while timers and photocells can automate your lighting schedule. Some smart lighting systems even allow you to control your exterior lights from your smartphone, giving you ultimate flexibility and control over your energy usage.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Outdoor wall lighting fixtures are constantly exposed to environmental factors, making durability a critical consideration in your selection process. The last thing you want is to invest in beautiful new lighting only to have it rust, corrode, or stop working after a few months of rain and sun exposure.
Copper, brass, and stainless steel are excellent choices for durability, while some high-quality plastics can also stand up well to the elements. Look for fixtures with powder-coated finishes, which provide an extra layer of protection against corrosion and fading.
Understanding IP (Ingress Protection) ratings is crucial when choosing outdoor lighting. The IP rating indicates how well a fixture is protected against dust and water. For exterior use, look for fixtures with an IP rating of at least IP44, which provides protection against water splashes from all directions. For areas more exposed to the elements, consider fixtures with higher ratings like IP65 or IP66.
When selecting outdoor wall lights, it’s important to note that varying climates necessitate different degrees of weather resistance to ensure longevity and performance. If you live in a coastal area with salty air, or in a region with extreme temperature fluctuations, you’ll need to choose fixtures specifically designed to withstand these conditions.
Top Exterior Wall Light Options for Different Home Styles
Now that we’ve covered the types of exterior wall lights and the factors to consider when choosing them, let’s explore some specific lighting options for different home styles.
Modern and Contemporary Homes: LED Wall Washers
For homes with clean lines, minimalist designs, and a focus on geometry, LED wall washers are an excellent choice. These sleek, low-profile fixtures can create dramatic effects on exterior walls, highlighting textures and creating interesting plays of light and shadow.
LED wall washers typically consist of a slim housing that contains a row of LED lights. When mounted close to a wall, they “wash” the surface with light, creating a smooth, even glow. This effect can be particularly striking on textured surfaces like stone or wood siding, bringing out the nuances of the material.
One of the great advantages of LED wall washers is their versatility. They can be used to create subtle ambient lighting or bold, colorful displays, depending on your preference. Many models offer color-changing capabilities, allowing you to switch up your home’s look for different seasons or occasions.
In addition to their aesthetic appeal, LED wall washers are incredibly energy-efficient and long-lasting. Many models can last for 50,000 hours or more, meaning you won’t have to worry about replacing them anytime soon. And their low energy consumption means you can create dramatic lighting effects without breaking the bank on your electricity bill.
Traditional and Classic Homes: Lanterns
For homes with a more traditional or classic aesthetic, lanterns are a timeless choice that can add charm and character to your exterior.
Coach lights are also a popular choice for traditional homes. These lantern-style fixtures typically feature clear or seeded glass panes and can be mounted on either side of a front door or garage.
When selecting lanterns for a traditional home, pay attention to the finish. Black, oil-rubbed bronze, or antique brass finishes often work well with classic architectural styles. The size of your lanterns should be proportional to your home and the area where they’ll be installed—a good rule of thumb is that the lantern should be about one-third the height of your door.
You can also mix and match different lantern styles around your home’s exterior. You might choose larger, more ornate lanterns for your front entrance, and simpler designs for secondary entrances or along pathways. Just make sure there’s a unifying element — such as the finish or overall style — to tie everything together.
Rustic and Farmhouse-Style Homes: Barn Lights
For homes with a rustic charm or farmhouse aesthetic, barn lights are a perfect fit. These fixtures, inspired by the lighting used in traditional barns and industrial settings, can add a touch of vintage flair to your home’s exterior.
Barn lights typically feature a wide, dome-shaped shade that directs light downward. This focused light is perfect for illuminating entryways, porches, or outdoor work areas. The classic gooseneck arm design allows for flexible positioning, making it easy to direct light exactly where you need it.
While the original barn lights were purely functional, today’s versions come in a wide array of finishes and colors. For a truly rustic look, consider galvanized steel or weathered copper finishes. If you want to add a pop of color, many manufacturers offer barn lights in bright, cheerful hues that can complement your home’s exterior paint or trim.
Larger barn lights work well on spacious front porches or to illuminate wide barn doors. Smaller versions can be used in multiples to light up a long porch or pathway. And don’t forget about indoor/outdoor spaces like covered patios — barn lights can create a cozy, rustic atmosphere in these areas as well.
Illuminating Your Home’s Exterior with Style and Cleanliness with Geek Window Cleaning!
Before you start installing those beautiful new fixtures, there’s one more crucial step to consider: ensuring your windows are sparkling clean to maximize the impact of your new lighting!
Crystal-clear windows allow your new lighting to shine (pun intended!), enhancing the ambiance both inside and outside your home. Our professional window cleaning services in Houston and Austin can remove dirt, grime, and water spots that might be dulling your home’s sparkle.
Contact Geek Window Cleaning today to get started and explore our subscription window cleaning program!
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