Outdoor wall lights: what matters most

Outdoor wall lights typically do two jobs:

1. provide comfortable visibility around key areas (like a front door or garage), and

2. support the overall look of your home exterior at night.

A practical way to choose is to decide based on location, then confirm rating, then refine size and light output.

1) Start with location: where will the light be installed?

Different areas usually call for different priorities:

• Front Door / Entryway: balanced light that feels welcoming and avoids harsh glare

• Garage / Driveway: broader coverage and symmetry

• Patio / Deck: softer ambiance (often paired with other lighting)

• Side Yard / Walkway: consistent visibility along the route

If you’re not sure which category fits, start by asking: Is this light mainly for “seeing clearly,” or mainly for “creating a warm glow”? That answer will usually guide brightness.

2) Confirm the rating: Wet-rated vs Damp-rated (and why it matters)

A fixture’s rating helps indicate whether it’s suitable for the level of moisture exposure.

• Wet-rated is often used for fixtures exposed directly to rain or heavy water contact.

• Damp-rated is commonly used for covered outdoor locations that still experience humidity and moisture (like a covered porch).

If a location is frequently exposed to rain with no shelter, selecting a wet-rated fixture is often the safer choice.

3) Pick a size that matches the scale of your facade

Size is one of the biggest reasons outdoor lighting can look “off,” even if the fixture itself is beautiful.

Common rule of thumb (entry):

• A wall light may look proportionate when its height is roughly about 1/3 of the door height (adjust as needed for trim, sidelights, and surrounding architecture).

For garages:

• Many homes look balanced when wall lights are visibly substantial, but still leave breathing room around the door frame and exterior details.

If your home has large surfaces (stone, wide siding panels, tall columns), a slightly larger fixture can look more intentional—provided it doesn’t overpower the architectural lines.

4) Mounting height: aim for comfort and practicality

Mounting height can vary by layout, but these ranges are often used as a starting point:

• Entry lights: center of fixture around 66–72 inches from the ground

• Garage pairs: align both fixtures at the same height for symmetry

If your door is very tall, or if steps raise the “standing level,” adjust accordingly. The goal is usually to avoid glare at eye level while still lighting the area evenly.

5) Brightness: use lumens as a practical reference

Because LED efficiency varies, lumens are more useful than watts for estimating brightness.

Typical starting ranges (approximate):

• Entry / Porch: ~600–1200 lumens total (depends on ambient light nearby)

• Garage / Driveway: ~1000–2000 lumens per side if you want clearer coverage

• Patio ambient: ~400–900 lumens, especially if you’ll add other lighting layers

If you already have other exterior lighting (landscape lights, soffit lights), you may prefer the lower end to avoid a patchy or overly bright look.

6) Color temperature: keep it consistent for a cohesive exterior

Many homeowners prefer warm outdoor lighting for comfort and a natural look on exterior materials.

• Warm: 2700K–3000K often reads inviting

• Cooler: can look brighter, but may feel more clinical depending on the home style

If you mix different temperatures across the exterior, the lighting can look inconsistent. A consistent range often makes the facade feel more unified.

7) Materials and finishes: match your climate and exposure

Outdoor lights are constantly exposed to environmental factors, and performance can depend on climate.

• Coastal / humid areas: corrosion resistance may matter more

• Hot, high-sun areas: finish stability can be important

• Cold, freeze-thaw climates: sealing and durability can be helpful

If you’re unsure, choose fixtures designed specifically for outdoor use and confirm the rating and material notes on the product page.

Quick checklist before you buy

• ✅ Location selected (entry / garage / patio / walkway)

• ✅ Correct rating (wet vs damp)

• ✅ Size proportionate to the door/facade

• ✅ Lumens appropriate for the use case

• ✅ Color temperature consistent across exterior lighting

• ✅ Material/finish appropriate for your climate

Guidance-only note

This article provides general information and may not reflect every home layout or local requirement. Always refer to the specific product specifications (rating, lumens, color temperature, dimensions) before purchase. For installation, follow local codes and consider consulting a licensed electrician when needed.