Inspiration / Guides / Schoolhouse 101: Outdoor Lighting Guide

Schoolhouse 101: Outdoor Lighting Guide

By Elizabeth Yunmi Published On
White two-story house with covered front porch, round-window wooden door and ornamental grasses in the yard

With summer in full swing, many of us have been spending as much time as possible soaking up the sun in our backyards, balconies, and patios. Which is why we feel there is no better time than the present for an exterior lighting spruce-up. As firm believers that our homes are oh-so-deserving of some tender loving care, we thought we’d share a few helpful outdoor lighting tips for creating an extra ambient and efficiently lit exterior.

Patio dining table with checkered tablecloth set with plates, glasses, and bread, lit by hanging string lights in front of black French doors

To start, we wanted to cover one of the most frequently asked lighting questions we receive, which is — can I install my light fixture outside?

The short answer? It depends on where you are installing it. To understand a bit more about what you need for your space, it helps to know the difference between wet-rated and damp-rated light fixtures.

Wet-rated fixtures, opens in a new tab are designed to withstand direct exposure to outdoor elements like rain and snow. Some of our fixtures are specifically wet-rated and suitable for outdoor use.

Damp-rated fixtures, opens in a new tab on the other hand are built for use in outdoor locations protected from harsh weather. Many of our fixtures are damp-rated and can be used in a covered porch, balcony, or patio.

Brass outdoor wall sconces flank black-framed glass doors on a white brick porch, with potted tropical plants in the foregroundVia @abeautifulmess, opens in a new tab

To determine if a fixture is wet-rated or damp-rated, check out the “Product Details” tab on the product page. If you’re unsure of what type of light fixture you need for your exterior setup, we recommend you consult your electrician.

Black outdoor wall sconce mounted above a mint green front door on a red brick wall with house number 518 and climbing vines

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Outdoor Lighting Placement

When it comes to perfect light placement, it’s best to start with what type of fixture you’re planning to install. Below we share our tried and true measurements for wall sconces, surface mounts, and pendants.

Wall Sconces

When working with wall sconces, opens in a new tab, we recommend installing the fixture so that it is centered at eye level, which is typically between 66”-72” from the finished floor. For horizontal spacing, we advise measuring a minimum of 6” between the door frame and the edge of the light fixture. This allows for optimal illumination for crucial tasks (like finding your keys, walking up steps, and welcoming guests). Based on experience, we’ve also found that it’s better to err on the bright side, so don’t be afraid to choose fixtures with higher light output or pair your sconces with brighter bulbs, opens in a new tab (see our light bulb guide, opens in a new tab for additional advice).

Diagram showing recommended wall sconce placement: 66-72 inches above finished floor and at least 6 inches from the door frame

Front porch with dark gray door showing WELCOME sign, house numbers 4124, potted plant on red stool, broom and yellow boots

A red factory-style wall sconce installed on a porch.

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Surface Mounts

As a general rule of thumb, when installing surface mounts, opens in a new tab, opens in a new tab, we recommend leaving at least 6” of clearance from the top of the door frame to the bottom of the light fixture. When it comes to surface mount size, we've found that outdoor fixtures often look the most visually balanced when they are at least 1/4 the height of the door.

Diagram showing a surface-mount light with minimum 6 in spacing above a door; tip: pair with Day to Dusk smart bulb

Front porch of a white house with a wooden door and round window, black porch light, house number 571, and ornamental grasses

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Pendants + Chandeliers

While there are no hard and fast rules, we’ve found that pendants + chandeliers, opens in a new tab work best if you have high ceilings. That said, when considering pendant height, we recommend leaving at least 6” of space from the bottom of the fixture to the top of the door frame. To help determine what length to order your pendant, try tying a balloon to a string to get a better sense of how the overall height and scale of the fixture work in your space.

Diagram showing pendant placement above a door with minimum 6 inch spacing and tip to use an opal shade to diffuse light

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Patio entrance of midcentury modern home with sliding glass door, globe pendant light and string lights under a sloped wooden roofVia @daviesdeldiablo, opens in a new tab

At the end of the day, your space is often an opportunity to own your style and flex your creative muscles (often your actual muscles too!). There are so many different ways to light your exterior, and it really comes down to your personal preference, so have fun with it! If anything, we hope this guide inspires you to explore outdoor lighting options, opens in a new tab and discover your own exterior aesthetic in the process.

patio with a table and chairs and an American flag hangingVia @maxwhumphrey, opens in a new tab

Folding canvas chair with blue and red blanket on steps outside a blue house with doors, white sconce, plant and table

Open doorway to a kitchen seen from a blue painted deck, flanked by potted plants, wall sconces, and house number 1974

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White cylindrical outdoor wall sconce mounted on dark gray horizontal siding beside a square window above a white planter with a small olive tree

House exterior with a wood-framed glass door and green outdoor wall sconce above the entrance, potted plants and small steps in front

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