How to Choose a Porch Light
- Placement. The intended location of your porch light helps you choose the right fixture. Replacing an existing wall...
- Style. Sometimes your home’s architecture dictates the style of fixture you should choose, but if your home lacks...
- Size. The size of your porch light should balance with the size of your entry door instead of the overall...
What size porch light do I need for my home?
The size of your porch light should balance with the size of your entry door instead of the overall size of your home. When choosing a porch light for a standard-size door of 6 feet 8 inches, the September 2009 issue of "Old House Interiors" magazine recommends a porch light between 5 and 9 inches wide.
How do I choose the right lighting for my home?
From the types of bulbs and light fixtures you choose to the overall functionality of your lighting, selecting the right lighting in every room of your home can make a major difference in how each space works for you.
What is the best type of ceiling lighting for a porch?
Outdoor ceiling lighting for a front porch or screen porch is a particularly valid option if you’re looking to bring style while saving over head space. Outdoor ceiling lighting mounts flush or semi flush to your overhead patio, porch, or entryway.
Can you put lights on the floor under a porch?
If you plan to add lighting to your porch, your choices expand, but check your circuit capacity first. You can install porch lights on the ceiling, either hanging or flush mount, or on the posts that support the porch roof. You can even install recessed lights in the porch floor.
How do I choose a front porch light?
Here's a simple way to choose front door and outdoor entry lighting that's the right size:Measure the front door from top to bottom. Make note of this measurement.Divide the height of your front door by 1/3 and 1/4.Look for a light fixture that measures 1/3 to 1/4 the height of your front door.
How do I choose an outdoor light fixture?
Light Fixture Size A good rule of thumb for the front door area is to select a fixture that is 1/3 the height of the door if there is only one light, and 1/4 the height of the door if there is a set of lights flanking the door.
What is the best wattage for a porch light?
The best wattage for outdoor lights is 40 watts and lower. Up to 40 watts is ideal for lighting pathways, garden beds, and other landscape areas. 40 to 80 watts are great for brightening areas like driveways, smaller yards, and the inside of your home. It may be best to use them sparingly if you put them outdoors.
How bright should a porch light be?
Recommended Lumens for Specific Outdoor Needs Landscape lights: 50-300 lumens. Path lights: 100-200 lumens. Landscape spotlights: 120 lumens.
What color should my outdoor lights be?
Warm White (2700K). Similar to halogen-type landscape lighting, it is the most preferred color temperature for landscape lighting. Psychologically, it is thought to be more welcoming and soothing compared to higher color temperatures.
What color should my outside lights be?
For all of your outdoor and landscape lighting, select a soft white light that is gentle and relaxing to the eye. Use with wash lighting over the facade of your home. compared to higher color temperatures.
How many lumens should my outdoor light be?
The best range of lumens for outdoor lighting is 12 to 1,300 lumens. How many lumens you need for outdoor landscape lighting is between 50 and 700. The amount of brightness most people want changes based on location.
What is the best bulb for a porch light?
LED bulbQ: What kind of light bulb should I use for a porch light? The best bulb to use for a porch light is an LED bulb that produces about 800 lumens. The LED bulb will use the least amount of energy and last much longer than any other bulb type.
Are LED lights good for outdoor use?
LEDs are the best choice for outdoor lighting for many reasons. Outdoor LED lighting benefits include: Brighter light: LEDs are a brighter white than traditional halide street lamps, helping better illuminate streets, sidewalks and parking lots. Longer life: LEDs, depending on their usage, can last up to 50,000 hours.
Should you leave porch lights on all night?
When you're home at night. This is a good time to leave the porch light on. It alerts burglars to your presence, particularly if indoor lights are on too. The porch light also acts as a spotlight on the front door.
Is 3000 lumens too bright?
3000 lumens is a good level of light for LED, CFL or incandescent lighting. It's suitable for recessed lighting, downlighting, up lighting and within pendants.
Are LED outdoor lights brighter?
Because of their energy efficiency, LED lights can produce more lumens with less energy. For example, a LED lamp of 6.5 watts will emit about as many lumens as a 50-watt halogen bulb. To avoid confusion, the brightness of a bulb is now expressed in lumens, which quantify the amount of light the human eye can detect.
What is the best outdoor light?
The best outdoor lights you can buy in 2022Atlas Solar Spotlights. ... Trueflame Mini Solar Torch Lights. ... Philips Hue Lily Outdoor Colour Ambience Spot Light Set. ... John Lewis Festoon. ... Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern. ... John Lewis Strom. ... SolarCentre Lumify USB Outdoor Solar Fairy Lights.
Should all outside lights match?
Matching garage lights to porch lights is really up to you, the homeowner. It all depends on what style or look you're going for on your home's exterior. But matching isn't just about the exact style; you could match exterior light fixtures of similar materials, colors, and size.
How tall should outdoor lights be?
Lighting professionals generally agree that front and back porch lights work best when placed just above eye level, usually at between 65 and 67 inches above the ground or porch floor.
How do I choose a landscape light?
Look for fixtures with adjustable lumen output, so you can control the brightness yourself. LED lighting is the new standard for landscapes, with lower operating costs and longevity that can't be beat. Plus, new LED lights have features you will want to take advantage of, like adjustable beam spread.
Pick the Location
The spot where you would like to install your lights would determine the one which is right for you. For instance, if you just simply want to lighten the wall section of your porch, then you will just need some sconces or wall-mount fixtures.
Determine the Size
The easiest way to determine the right size for your porch light is to refer to the size of the door. You have to make their sizes in a balanced proportion. For instance, if you have a door with 6’8”, a porch light 5” and 9” width would be the best choice.
Choose the Function
As you may have known, porch light comes with several features to give you more convenience. Some lights come with a motion-sensitive feature or a built-in timer in which those features can help you to use the lights effectively and efficiently.
Go with style
Don’t forget besides providing you with their basic functions, porch lights are also part of your home decor. It means that they should also work to enhance the attractiveness of your home’s overall look, The most popular options of porch light styles are minimalist, rustic, vintage, Southwestern, and contemporary.
Select the Materials
As the lights will be installed in your exterior area, they should withstand all weather conditions. The porch lights which are made of powder-coated aluminum and brass are considered the best options.
Consider the Energy
When it comes to energy consumption, it will relate to the bulb of the light. The wattage of the bulb itself actually depends on the size of your porch. The lights with a 60-watt bulb are enough for a small porch but if you have a larger one, you can consider a 100 to a 120-watt bulb.
How high should a porch lamp be?
Here are the details for you.#N#• For most homes, the ideal height of wall lamp should be installed at ordinary people's eye-level.#N#• In most front door and entry areas, your outdoor sconces and wall lights should be positioned to ensure the center point is right around 66-72 inches above the floor.#N#• For particularly high spaces, you can raise the installation height slightly, but the height above 72 inches is not recommended.
What color LED light is best for bugs?
In summer nights, there are many annoying bugs like mosquitoes, moths and other insects that appear in your yard or garden. To solve this, yellow LED bulbs show on the market. Designed with special wavelength, yellow bugs light is a great helper to lighten up your exterior house and give off a bright yellow color light to effectively drive the bugs away. All in all, with this insect-free lighting, you will feel more relax during the outdoor dining, BBQ, party, short-term relaxation at night.
How do smart lights work?
Perfectly freeing your hands, smart light bulbs allow you to turn on/off with your voice command to your Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa or Siri or a tap from your mobile phone. Almost all of the smart wifi light come with the tunable white feature, which is great for your eyes by allowing you to adjust the proper brightness to fit different scenes. Then, some of the smart bulbs are even the color changing light bulb, letting you change the color of the light to build a cheerful and festive ambience for your front patio, yard, garden when you entertain guests, enjoy an outdoor dinner, or just hold parties on special days like Christmas, Halloween, Birthday, and more. Most importantly, with timer technology, the smart bulbs support pre-set timing to switch the outside lights on/off when needed, which seems like you're home by having lights turn on at different times to bring you the most comprehensive, up-to-date and secure smart lighting ecosystem.
What is the purpose of outdoor lights?
As the most common outdoor lights, the porch lights not only do help to set a tone for your porch by brightening it up, but also deters burglars from stealing to keep your house safe when you're out .
What is a wall lamp?
Engineered with modern and sleek look, a wall lamp that shines with warm light adds stylish to your house. Apart from its attractive and classic outlook highlighting your home's landscaping or architecture, there are some fabulous functions of wall lighting like illuminating your front door to provide extra security to your home and much more. That's to say, combined with pathway, landscaping and porch, wall lighting is the recipe for a perfectly lit exterior with a lot of curb appeal.
What is the best wattage for a porch light?
40 watt and lower is the best watt for lights outdoors. It’s ideal for lighting pathways, garden beds, and other areas. The 40 to 80 watt range is great for areas like the inside of the house.
Which light is best for porch?
The best light for a porch is a wall lantern. It’s the perfect solution for those with a sheltered porch, and it’s also great for illuminating an outdoor space. Users found the porch light to be easy to install and recommend using an LCD bulb for the best results.
What color should outdoor lights be?
3000K is okay, but if you want a warm color temperature, go for the 2700KLED. The warmth of a campfire can be mimicked by the 2700K temperature. It’s ideal for making comfortable outdoor environments.
Are LED lights good for outdoor use?
There are a lot of reasons why LEDs are the best for outdoor lighting. Better illuminate streets, sidewalks and parking lots with brighter light thanks to the use of LEDs. The lifespan of LEDs is up to 50,000 hours.
How do I know what to look for when choosing an outdoor light for my house?
To make sure you pick the right light fixture, you need to think about a few things. First, you need to think about how much light comes through any windows near your front door.
In Conclusion
Front porch lights are an important part of owning a home because they are both decorative functional and safe.
Most Common FAQs Answered
Most people believe that the front porch light should be on. This is because burglars do not want to be seen and they would rather break into a house with a dark porch. But this is also a myth.
What is the best lighting for a front porch?
Outdoor ceiling lighting for a front porch or screen porch is a particularly valid option if you’re looking to bring style while saving over head space. Outdoor ceiling lighting mounts flush or semi flush to your overhead patio, porch, or entryway.
How high should a porch pendant be?
How to Place Front Porch Pendants. To determine installation height, the bottom of the fixture should be six inches above the top of your front door. Our rule of thumb for determining fixture size is to divide the height of your front door by five.
How to determine the right size pendant light?
To determine the best size or ideal size for your pendant lighting fixture, multiple the height of your door by one fifth. For example, if you had a front door which was 80 inches in height, you would multiple 80 by one fifth for an ideal fixture size of 16 inches.
Why is outdoor lighting important?
Outdoor lighting is growing in popularity as an addition to many homes as it not only increases the curb appeal, but helps with security and ensuring the safety of guests. From the gorgeous outdoor pendant that greets you at the front door, to the modern post lighting that guides your way through the back yard, ...
How tall should a post light be?
So, if your pole were 20 inches, you would want a fixture which is about five inches. Note that many of the popular post mount fixtures are between 18 and 24 inches tall.
What is the best material for outdoor lighting?
While outdoor lighting comes in a variety of different materials, the top materials have been noted to be cast aluminum, solid brass, and wrought iron . Cast aluminum has an especially large variety of outdoor lighting products to shop from with over 1,200 various wall sconces, post lights, ceiling lights, and more.
What is outdoor wall lighting?
Outdoor wall lighting can illuminate not only your front door, but your back and side entrances, your back and side porches, or your shed or pool house. Wall lights come in a variety of finishes, styles, and types. Not only does wall lighting add an embellishing touch, but it provides security and can help to keep away any unwanted guests.
Why is it important to have the right lighting?
Choosing the right lighting in your home can reduce eye strain, headaches, and eye fatigue.
What are the different types of lighting?
Types of lighting. Most lighting performs a function, and it typically comes in three main categories: ambient, accent, and task lighting. Here’s a closer look at each one, including what they can do for you: Ambient. This type of lighting generally sets the mood of a room and casts a warm, pleasing glow.
How many lumens should a lamp be in a bedroom?
Incorporate table lamps, wall sconces, or floor lamps for reading before bedtime. Ambient ceiling lighting should be between 2-4,000 lumens, and task lights should be at least 500 lumens each .
How does lighting affect the mood of a room?
Playing with lumens and color temperature helps you create the exact right lighting for the needs of any space, and it can help you set the exact mood you want in your home.
What are the two main measurements of a light bulb?
Light bulbs are classified based on two main measurements: lumens and Kelvins. Lumens measure how much brightness a light bulb emits. One lumen creates about the same amount of light as one candle. Kelvins represent the color temperature of the bulb, such as bright white, warm white, or soft white.
What is recessed lighting in a shower?
A recessed can light in the shower provides extra ambient light. Use blinds in your bathroom for extra privacy, and open them to enjoy the morning sunlight as you get ready for the day ahead. Studio/Home Office. Task lighting like desk or table lamps is especially important in this room.
What is ambient lighting?
Ambient. This type of lighting generally sets the mood of a room and casts a warm, pleasing glow. Ambient lighting can consist of overhead light fixtures like pendant lights or chandeliers, or it can be more targeted, like track lighting or recessed can lights in a bathroom or kitchen. Accent.
How big should the lights be for a door?
Lights By Your Door: Your lights should be ⅓ to ¼ the size of your door and trim. If you have a grand entry way with a high ceiling you can go bigger. So, opt for ⅓ the size of your door. If you’re in a tighter area, try ¼ the size of your door. If possible mount the lights at least 6 inches from the door frame and about 66 inches from the floor.
How big should a patio chandelier be above a table?
Patio Chandelier Above a Table: Lighting for dining is more difficult because there are so many factors involved. As a general rule, we recommend about ⅔ the width of the table. You can go as small as ½ the width of your table but definitely not any smaller. If your table is long, opt for two lights ½ width.
How wide should a gooseneck light be above a garage door?
That said, the goal is to provide light across the entire garage area and should shine outwards as well as down. A typical garage door entry is about 8 feet wide. Depending on the shade above, you may need a 20 inch shade to span the area…. Or, 2 lights.
How high should garage lights be?
Lights by your garage should also be ⅓ to ¼ the height of your garage opening. These shouldn’t upstage your entryway lights but definitely make a statement of their own.
Why are lights important?
so, they should be beautiful and functional! They direct visitors where to go, keep your house safe, as well as add major curb appeal when done correctly. For some reason, most homes don’t have the correct size lights.
How high should a lamp post be?
Lights on a Driveway or Garden Lamp Post: This light should be about ¼ the height of the mounting pole or fence post. These are also usually best placed 5.5 feet to 6.5 feet from the bottom of the light fixture to the ground.
Is lighting a part of curb appeal?
Overall, lighting is a huge part of your home’s curb appeal and shouldn’t be neglected. For home exterior lights, size matters! Your lights have a huge job of providing security for the area but should also be beautiful and functional. Pin it. Carry it.
