How to Choose Outdoor Light Fixtures

With so many varieties of outdoor light fixtures available today, it's not always easy to choose the right one for your home. However, a few practical rules can help you narrow down your options quickly so that you can move on to the fun part: picking out your lights!

When you're selecting an outdoor light fixture, keep these four questions in mind.

Is your home's architecture stately and elegant? Angular and contemporary? Craftsman? Spanish? We have outdoor lights to suit any decor style. If you're not sure what style your home is or what style you like, that's OK. Here are some closer looks at common outdoor lighting styles.

Traditional outdoor lights often have ornate designs with elegant decorative touches like curving hooks and flourishes. You'll also find traditional outdoor lights with styles inspired by classic decor eras, such as Colonial or Craftsman.

Transitional outdoor lights do share some design touches with traditional lights, but are not as ornate. This makes them very versatile for a wide variety of homes.

Contemporary outdoor lights have a streamlined and minimal style, often with geometric touches. Innovative designs, made possible by LED lights, are common too.

Craftsman outdoor lights (or Mission outdoor lights) showcase a clean, simple look with Spanish and Art Deco inspirations. You will also often find amber-tinged or specialty art glass, too.

Industrial outdoor lights often draw style inspirations from factories of the early 20th century. Solid metal shades and cage details are common. You may also see industrial touches in coastal outdoor lights, too.

Farmhouse outdoor lights bring traditional and vintage style touches together to create a lighting look perfect for adding that popular country flair, no matter where you live.

Bronze is by far the most popular finish for outdoor lights, regardless of style. Black is another very commonly-found finish, prized for its versatility, while brass is a classic choice. Another interesting finish option is white!

Some states, like California, require outdoor light fixtures to be energy efficient or Dark Sky certified to reduce light pollution. You may also have local legal restrictions or homeowners' association guidelines around what kinds of outdoor lighting you can use. Be aware of these requirements in your area before you buy. If you need help finding lights to fit your needs, please don't hesitate to ask us--we're happy to help!

The single most important factor when choosing an outdoor light fixture is its lighted appearance and effect at night. In general, you want to try to use multiple outdoor light fixtures together to avoid too much brightness in a single fixture. (For example: Outdoor wall lights at your front and side door, plus lighting around the garage door or an outdoor ceiling light in your carport. Maybe even some path lights to line the walkway to the door, too!)

While many outdoor lights use clear glass, you may want or need a different look. You may want to consider outdoor lighting with frosted glass or opal glass, lighting that uses textured clear glass or fixtures that use integrated LED light sources. Also consider RLM lighting, which is designed to concentrate the light and reflect it downward for more focused illumination.

If you're using an outdoor wall light or post light, make sure it's wet area rated for direct exposure to rain and the elements. If you're using a hanging light under a covered area such as a porch or roof overhang, it can be damp area rated, which means it should not be directly exposed to rain. For areas like beach and lake homes, you may want to consider an outdoor light fixture made of sturdy materials, such as StoneStrong by Feiss, Vivex by Maxim Lighting, Coastal Armour by Quoizel or Endure-All by Savoy House.

For more information on outdoor lighting, check out these other great resources:

• Outdoor Lighting Buying Guide
• How to Plan Your Outdoor Lighting
• A Guide to Exterior Light Fixtures
• Lighting Your Outdoor Space
• Landscape Lighting 101

Need advice? Call our trained lighting specialists at 1-866-688-3562.

Emma Harger-Young - Lights Online