Outdoor Lighting Size & Height Installation Guide
| LOCATION | DETERMINE SIZE | MOUNTING PLACEMENT & HEIGHT |
| Over Garage & Front Door Wall Lights | 1/4th or 1/3 the width of the door frame ... | Centered above door; 6" above the door |
| Front Door Wall Sconces & Carriage Light ... | 1/4th or 1/3rd the height of the door in ... | At least 6” from door frame; 66" from fl ... |
| Front Porch Ceiling Lights | 1/4th or 1/3rd the width of the door fra ... | Centered above door, 6" above the door |
What size outdoor lighting do I need for my home?
May 12, 2017 · 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.
How far apart should outdoor lights be spaced?
Outdoor porch lights or outdoor wall sconces should be mounted near to shoulder height. This will provide a downward light to help you with your keys etc while keeping direct glare out of your eyes. ... The size of the area of the entire property. Which portions of the property are actually "used" by humans moving around. Try to keep in mind ...
How big outdoor lights should I put around my pool?
Feb 09, 2022 · Standard 100-watt bulbs produce about 1,600 lumens. For security lights, you can go for a brighter flood-light bulb. Consider using a timer for flood lights as well as a motion sensor. Recommended lumens for security flood lights range from 700 to 1,300.
What size electrical box do I need for an exterior light?
Dec 17, 2018 · Lighting professionals generally agree that front and back porch lights work best when placed just above eye level, usually at between …
How do I choose the right size light?
How tall should a porch light be?
How tall should a yard light be?
What should I look for in an outdoor light?
How far from door should porch light be?
How high should outdoor string lights be?
For most string lights, about eight to 10 feet is perfect. If you have larger bulbs, you may want to hang the lights a little higher.
What height should up and down lights be?
Should all exterior lights match?
Do all exterior lights need to match?
Where should outdoor lights be placed?
Are LED lights good for outdoor use?
How do you measure for outdoor string lights?
Tip #1: Determining Size & Placement
Different fixtures are used in different ways to highlight and enhance the exterior of your home. Here are six of the most common fixtures and inst...
Tip #2: Ul Rating: Wet Or Damp?
Select fixtures made for outdoor locations that stand up to humidity and moisture. The Underwriters Laboratory (UL) assigns ratings based on the li...
Tip #3: Type, Purpose, & Location
Outdoor lights are available in many forms depending on their intended purpose and placement.
Tip #4: Best Materials & Finishes For Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lights are made from a variety of materials, including: 1. Brass: Holds up well in all environments, including coastal regions. May develop...
Tip #5: Styles
Outdoor lights are available in a variety of styles, including the following popular options: 1. Antique - Classic colonial design featuring brass,...
Tip #6: Controls
You can manage your outdoor lights in several ways, including: 1. Dimmers - Gives you greater control over outdoor lighting range. 2. Home Automati...
Tip #7: Special Considerations
When choosing lighting, the following special considerations need to be accounted for: 1. Bulb Types – Choose light bulbs that are rated for damp e...
Tip #8: Maintenance
Maintaining your outdoor lighting fixtures ensures your safety and security. Here are some maintenance tips: 1. Replace broken or burned-out bulbs...
Sizing outdoor lights at a door
Measure the height of the door in inches. If you want to use one light, look for one that is 1/3 the door’s height. If you want to use two lights, look for ones that are 1/4 the door’s height.
Sizing outdoor ceiling lights
First, measure the length and width in feet of the area you want to light. Then, add the two numbers together. That will give you the ideal width of a ceiling mount for an outdoor space.
Sizing outdoor pendants or chandeliers
If you’re hanging an outdoor pendant over a door, the pendant should be about 1/5 the door’s height and centered about 6 inches above the door.
Sizing outdoor path lights
To give your pathway a good, even glow, path lights should be about 14 inches tall and within 1 foot from the edges of the pathway. That way, the light actually shines on the path, not in the grass!
Sizing outdoor post lights
For outdoor post lights, larger is better—this is because the lights will look small from far away.
Sizing outdoor ceiling fans
For information on outdoor ceiling fan sizing, read our Ceiling Fan Sizing Guide.
How To Choose a Size
When choosing lighting for a door or entryway, a simple guideline to keep in mind is that the height of your lantern or outdoor fixture should be based on the height of the door or opening.
Installation Tips
The fixtures should be mounted so that they are slightly above eye-level. On a typical door this measures out to approximately 66 inches above the threshold of the door.
Questions?
Call 800-782-1967 to speak with one of our friendly, professional Lighting & Home Decor Consultants or visit a Lamps Plus location near you. Whether via phone or in person, we’re happy to assist you in completing your project.
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.
Is LED lighting good for outdoor lighting?
Many brands are now integrating LED lighting into their designs. Therefore, LED lighting is definitely an extra element that you may want to consider when selecting your outdoor lighting fixtures. Below are just a few of the many benefits of LED lighting: Only 60% of energy consumed goes to heat.
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.
Can I use outdoor ceiling lights on 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. These low-profile fixtures may be smaller in size but can still add a good amount of light.
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.
What is an outdoor chandelier?
Outdoor chandeliers are a wonderful way to add a pop of drama and elegance to your outdoor patio, dining area, or entryway. In various sizes and with an array of different styles to choose from, they can certainly make a bold statement and leave a lasting impression on any guests that visit.
How wide is a garage door?
Typical single garage doors are typically either ten, nine, or eight feet wide by seven feet high and double car garage doors start at 12 feet and go up to 18 feet. As an example, an eight-foot single car garage multiplied by (.25) would give you an optimal fixture size of 24 inches wide.
What is outdoor lighting?
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.
Is it safe to use a wet or damp light fixture outdoors?
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.
Can outdoor lights be mounted on a wall?
While outdoor lighting can be mounted to a wall, or on top of a post, they can also be adapted to other surfaces. For example an outdoor post lantern can also be mounted on top of a wall using a pier-mount adapter.
What is outdoor lighting?
Outdoor lighting is, as the name implies, designed for use outside, or on the exterior of a building or in an outdoor space. Because they are exposed to the elements day and night, Outdoor lights must be and resistant to weather. Outdoor lighting, especially outdoor motion sensor lights, can also enhance security.
Why are outdoor lights important?
Because they are exposed to the elements day and night, Outdoor lights must be and resistant to weather. Outdoor lighting, especially outdoor motion sensor lights, can also enhance security. Exterior lighting isn’t just about security however. In this outdoor lighting guide you'll learn the different types of outdoor light fixtures, ...
Is outdoor lighting security?
Exterior lighting isn’t just about security however. In this outdoor lighting guide you'll learn the different types of outdoor light fixtures, where to place them in your backyard or garden for maximum aesthetic and security benefits, and the kind of benefits each outdoor light provides. First we'll take a tour through the types ...
Do garage lights work?
Exterior garage door lights work great to greet you when you return home in the dark and also light the larger driveway area for safety. Usually garage lights may be positioned too far from your front door to adequately light that area, so a combination of garage lighting and porch lighting works well.
What is a string light?
String lights are a series of small lanterns or light bulbs which are positioned along a string or cord. More than just holiday lights, they can be "strung" between two posts, walls or trees for example. Outdoor string lights are designed for use in outdoor weather and provide waterproof string lights for use on a patio, deck or in a backyard. Similar to Christmas string lights, they usually plug into a regular electrical outlet.
Can you use outdoor string lights on a deck?
Outdoor string lights are designed for use in outdoor weather and provide waterproof string lights for use on a patio, deck or in a backyard. Similar to Christmas string lights, they usually plug into a regular electrical outlet. Light ropes and strings can bring life to your party.
What Is Outdoor Lighting?
Outdoor lighting includes a variety of light fixtures that address and improve exterior home security and safety. Additionally, these outdoor lighting fixtures highlight landscaping and architecture at night and come in a variety of styles and finishes.
Power and Performance
With options ranging from hard-wired flood lights to plug-in dusk-to-dawn lights to solar motion lights, you can find the perfect outdoor flood lights for your landscape and the exterior of your home.
Types of Light Bulbs for Outdoor Lighting
Another factor to consider is what type of light bulbs you want to use for your outdoor lighting.
Lumens
Lumens are a measure of the light output — or the brightness of the light. The more lumens there are, the brighter the bulb will appear. Lumens differ from wattage in that watts measure the amount of power the bulb consumes — or the energy in the light.
The Best Color Temperature for Outdoor Lighting
Color temperature for lighting is measured on the Kelvin (K) temperature scale and refers to how cool or warm lighting looks. The Kelvin scale tracks from warmer to cooler. Lower Kelvin numbers are warm with yellow light, and higher Kelvin numbers are cool with blue or white light.
Security and Flood Lights
Security and flood lights are broad-beamed, high-intensity lights designed to flood large areas with light. As a result, these fixtures are often used as a preventive measure to reduce criminal activity and increase feelings of safety, especially when equipped with a motion sensor that causes the light to turn on when movement is perceived.
Outdoor Wall Lights
Outdoor wall lights mount on virtually any vertical surface and cast an ambient glow. Great for illuminating recessed areas, pathways, walkways and stairways, wall lights help eliminate shadows in recessed areas of architecture or hardscaping, therefore reducing the risk of tripping and accidents.
Can you put lights on tall doors?
If necessary for visual balance, lights may be placed higher when doors are very tall. A more harmonious and better-lit effect may be produced by increasing the size, rather than the height, of the fixtures. Occasionally, an overhead or pendant light is most effective for illuminating taller-than-average doors. With all high-mounted fixtures, your main concern should be that shades do not allow downward glare, which can make it hard to manage using keys or stepping over sills.
Why do you keep the porch light on?
Keeping the porch light on is a traditional sign of a welcoming home. Correct positioning of exterior lighting fixtures can affect outdoor visibility, comfort and safety. Several factors determine placement of fixtures for maximum effects. Bigger and brighter are not always the solutions to outdoor lighting challenges.
