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Outdoor wall lights are a quick and easy way to dress up your outdoor living space and give it ample illumination. In the article below, we will explore exterior wall lights as well as modern outdoor wall lighting designs.
How To Choose the Right Outdoor Wall Lighting for Your Home
When choosing outdoor wall light fixtures, it will ultimately come down to your preferences and the needs of your specific space. However, there are a few general points that should be taken into consideration.
- DETERMINE YOUR OUTDOOR LIGHTING NEEDS – Consider how you will use your outdoor living space before installing outdoor wall lights. Ask yourself if you are interested in accent lights, security lights, lights for walkways or something else. Then, figure out which area of your outdoor space needs lighting, as well as how bright the lights need to be.
- DECIDE THE BEST EXTERIOR WALL LIGHT FIXTURES – There are many different types of contemporary outdoor wall lighting for you to choose from. This primarily includes outdoor wall lantern fixtures and outdoor wall sconce LED outdoor wall lights come in a versatile range of styles, so you can find the one that best suits your space.
- LEARN ABOUT ITS IP RATING – The IP ratings of the lights will indicate their ability to resist damage from debris and moisture. Since your outdoor wall lamps will be exposed to the elements, it is best to choose waterproof outdoor wall lights rated IP65 or above.
- OPT FOR PREMIUM MATERIALS – Similarly, you will need outdoor sconces that are crafted to withstand weather. Materials such as aluminium, stainless steel, brass and acrylic tend to be the best options here.
How To Create Focal Points with Modern Outdoor Wall Lamps
Modern outdoor wall lights are versatile in their ability to change the look and feel of your space. When you want to draw attention to a certain feature of your garden, these lights can allow you to do so with ease.
The first thing you will need to do is decide what area of the garden you want to highlight. This could include landscape features, architectural elements of interest or decorative items like statues that you want to draw attention to.
Once that has been determined, you can start thinking about which lights will be better suited for the job. From up and down wall light fixtures to spotlights and everything in between, there are many options to work with when creating a focal point. Most commonly, you will see uplighters and downlighters being used to attract focus to certain areas.
The intensity and direction of the outdoor wall light fixtures are other important aspects to consider. Choose brighter lights if you want to make a more dramatic statement or softer lights if you just want to add a moody touch to an area. Either way, you can direct these lights right at the focal point.
Similarly, you should also take into account the colour temperature of the light emitted. Warmer colour temperatures are generally preferred for accent lighting due to their cosy, more intimate feel. Cooler lights, on the other hand, are generally preferred if you want to go for a more vibrant, attention-grabbing look and feel.
How To Layer Outdoor Wall Lights
Garden wall lights are just one of many potential lighting solutions for your outdoor living space. These are going to be a part of what is known as a layered lighting scheme. Layered lights consist of three main points: ambient lighting, accent lighting and task lighting.
To begin, choose the right ambient light for your space. This can be ceiling lights over patios and porches that will create a greater wash of light over the area. From there, you can start thinking about accent lighting. Wall mounted outdoor lights allow you to easily highlight various points of interest in the garden, such as sculptural or landscape features. They can also be used to set a mood in a sitting area.
Finally, you will want to consider task lighting. Task lighting is particularly well suited for installation near areas where guests will be sitting and relaxing. This style of light will make it easy for you to see while sipping drinks and chatting.
Task lighting can also come in the form of lights on pathways and walkways. They serve the purpose of making the outdoor space easier and safer for you to navigate.
What Are The Best Options For Bulbs in Your Outdoor Wall Sconces?
There are four main types of light bulbs that are used in any given fixture. These include:
- LED bulbs
- Incandescent bulbs
- Halogen bulbs
- Fluorescent bulbs
 – LED –
Pros and cons of using LED lights for outdoor lighting:
Pros:
- Long lasting life with a minimum of 20,000 hours
- Require less maintenance and fewer light bulb changes
- Available in a variety of colour temperatures
- Various brightness levels available
- Energy efficient and environmentally friendly
- Lower overall cost on parts and energy bills
Cons:
- High initial price for purchasing up front, though the costs have been slowly coming down each year
– Incandescent –
Pros and cons of using Incandescent light bulbs for outdoor lighting:
Pros:
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- Less expensive thanks to a lower initial cost
- Produce consistently warm colours
- Generate a high light output
Cons: Â
- Short lifespan of around 1,000 hours
- Require more energy to produce light
- Very fragile
– Halogen –
Pros and cons of halogen light bulbs for outdoor lighting:
Pros:
- Smaller lights are easier to fit into most places
- The light that shines tends to be 30 percent whiter and brighter than most others
- Light up in an instant
Cons:
- Produce an excess of heat and are hot to the touch
- Emit UV radiation
– Fluorescent –
Pros and cons of fluorescent light bulbs for outdoor lighting:
Pros:
- More energy efficient than halogen bulbs
- Don’t produce much heat
- Can save energy when compared to halogen bulbs
Cons:
- Short lifespan between 800 and 1,500 hours
- Contain potentially harmful materials such as mercury
What is IP Rating And How Does This Apply to Outdoor Wall Lighting?
As mentioned, an IP rating is a way to indicate the ability of a light fixture to resist damage from debris and moisture. IP stands for Ingress Protection. The first digit refers to debris and solids, and the second digit refers to the level of protection from moisture.
First Digit – Solids
0 Â – Â No protection against solid material
1 Â – Â Protection from entry of solid objects greater than 50 millimeters
2 Â – Â Protection from entry of solid objects greater than 12 millimeters
3Â – Â Protection from entry of solid objects greater than 2.5 millimeters
4 Â – Â Protection from entry of solid objects greater than 1 millimeter
5Â – Â Protected from limited amounts of dust
6 Â – Â Protected from all dust; dust tight
Second Digit – Moisture
0 Â – Â No protection against moisture
1 Â – Â Protection against dripping water
2 Â – Â Protection against dripping water at a 15-degree angle
3Â – Â Protection against spraying water
4 Â – Â Protection against splashing water
5 Â – Â Protection against jets of water
6 Â – Â Protection against powerful jets of water
7 Â – Â Protection against being immersed as deep as one meter
8 Â – Â Protection against immersion deeper than one meter
In order to ensure that your outdoor lights are safeguarded against the weather, it is best to choose lights with an IP65 rating or better.
How To Create Ambiance with Outdoor Lighting
Below are a few tips on making your outdoor living space more inviting:
- LOW LEVEL LIGHTING – By adding lighting at the ground level, such as along the lower base of a wall, you can have a soft glow from the ground up.
- ACCENT YOUR LANDSCAPE – Using uplighters near trees and shrubs, you can cast illumination on these features while also generating a soft, moody glow to see.
- ILLUMINATE STAIRWAYS – Not only does lighting up steps make it easier to see and navigate the outdoor space, but it can also contribute to the overall lighting scheme and set a tone.
- HIGHLIGHT ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES – If you have unique architectural designs or little niches and alcoves, you can add accent lighting and use them to their fullest potential.
- SHINE LIGHT ON TREES – Uplighters focused on trees can add an illusion of height to your garden while also adding to the layered lighting scheme.
- USE UP AND DOWN LIGHTS – Up and downlighters shine light above and below the fixture. This creates a wall washing effect that can help create a mood.
How To Install Outdoor Wall Light Fixtures
When it comes to installing lights of any kind, it is recommended that you use the services of a qualified electrician to ensure proper installation and safety. Here, you can learn the basic steps to installing wall lights, but if you take this on as a DIY project, you should still have an electrician check the installation.
- Switch off all power to the outside to reduce the risk of electrocution.
- Mark surfaces where you want the lights to be positioned.
- Drill a hole for the light’s cable through the wall. Ideally, this will allow the cable to come out behind the light and can then be wired right back into it.
- Plan the route for the power supply cable and then feed the cable through.
- Install the switch that you want to use for the light. Do so in a location that is easy to access.
- Attach the wall light to the wall and connect the cable.
Ways to Control Your Outdoor Lighting
There are many ways to control your outdoor lighting, including:
- LIGHTING TIMERS – Using timers, you can set your lights to turn on and off at specific times during the day and night.
- DUSK TO DAWN SENSORS – These sensors note the light levels and turn on or off according to them, usually at dawn and dusk.
- MOTION SENSORS – Motion sensors are commonly used in areas like pathways and stairways. They turn on when they detect movement and then turn back off again once the environment is still.
- SMART LIGHTS – Using smart lighting controls, you can get specific about when the lights turn on and off. You can even install them to be controlled by way of a smartphone.
- MANUAL SWITCHES – The traditional way of using on and off light switches remains a fine option to this day.
Outdoor Lighting Ideas
Bring illumination from the ground up using the ODL703 3 Watt Rectangular Black Recessed Outdoor Wall Light. This low level light is designed to sit close to the ground and shine a wide beam of illumination on the area in front of it. It outputs 300 lumens of 3000k warm white light that is gentle on the eyes and ideal for lighting pathways. This light is crafted out of durable aluminium and has an IP65 rating to protect it from the elements.
Perfect for porches and patios, the LWA706 12 Watt Square Black Outdoor porch wall Light has a unique square, cage design that looks great on any home’s exterior. Inside of the black aluminium cage is a square-shaped opal acrylic diffuser that softens the 1200 lumens of 3000k warm white light. It measures 155 millimeters by 155 millimeters and is built from premium aluminium. An IP65 rating makes it ideal for outdoor use.
Sleek and sophisticated, the LWA386 12 Watt Round Black Outdoor LED Wall Light instantly adds a modern touch to your outdoor living space. This light features a round body finished in a neutral black hue that works well with any home’s exterior. A ring of acrylic diffuses the light as it shines back onto the wall behind it. This fixture is fashioned out of premium aluminium and measures 150 millimeters in diameter with a 55-millimeter projection from the wall.
Get a classic and classy look for your outdoor living space with the LWA491 6 Watt Black Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light features a lamp shade style that reflects light back onto the wall behind it. It outputs 500 lumens of 3000k warm white light, making it great for seating areas and patios specifically. It is fabricated out of premium aluminium that is finished in black and features an IP65 rating for durability.
Get a contemporary look and plenty of light with the LWA488 10 Watt Round Black Outdoor LED Wall Light. This wall light features a tall post that hosts the horizontal ring light at the top. It shines an ultra-bright 1000 lumens of 3000k warm white light back onto the wall behind it through its acrylic diffuser. The product is constructed out of durable aluminium and has an IP65 rating to ensure it is safe to use outdoors. Overall, this black-finished light measures 330k millimeters in length by 146 millimeters in width by 174 millimeters in height.
Create a nice mood in your outdoor living space with the LWA415 18 Watt Black Up and Down LED Outdoor Wall Washer. This light features a rectangular body fashioned out of durable aluminium and finished in black. Above and below it, 1800 lumens of 3000k warm white light shine against the wall through an acrylic diffuser. It has a wide beam angle for a more decorative look and feel. This IP65 rated light measures 200 millimeters wide by 80 millimeters high with an 80-millimeter projection from the wall.
Classy and sophisticated, this LWA372 6 Watt Brass Finish Up and Down Outdoor LED Wall Light brings an opulent touch to your outdoor living space. This cylindrical light features a brass finish that complements the opal acrylic diffusers. The 300 lumens of 3000k warm white light shine from above and below the fixture for a total of 600 lumens. This durable fixture features an IP65 rating and measures 180 millimeters high by 44 millimeters wide with a 69-millimeter projection from the wall.
