A properly lit front porch is inviting, safe and an opportunity to set the tone for your visitors. It also is a natural starting point when creating an outdoor lighting scheme. So consider this gallery of front porch lighting ideas the starting point to your starting point.
If you don’t have room on one or both sides of your door for a sconce, consider a ceiling-mounted light above the door. You'll want to place it somewhere that provides ample light to the door as well as the rest of your porch.
Another ceiling-mounted options is an outdoor pendant. If you have a high enough ceiling on your porch—or a peak—you’ll want to hang the pendant no lower than seven feet.
The symmetry of two sconces flanking a front door is pleasing to the eye, creating an intriguing and inviting atmosphere.
A good rule of thumb is that your wall sconce should be about one quarter the height of your door height and hung at six feet.
Consider placing a light where it can also illuminate your address numbers. A helpful addition for guests, delivery people and emergency responders.
Image via Dwell
A gate entrance to your front porch should be just as well-lit as your front door. The first thing to greet visitors should be a well-lit entryway.
A single sconce at your door-side is minimalist and effective. You'll want to match the style of light to your homes architecture, whether that skews modern or traditional.
Shown Here: Anchorage Outdoor Wall Light by Hinkley Lighting
Setting some oversized lanterns down on your front porch will give your guests the feeling of arriving at a modern oasis.
Squares, rectangles, spheres… All perfectly acceptable ways to light your front porch. But you might want to consider a hexagon, too.
If your front porch has a long entryway, you’ll want more lighting than just at the door. Add a light or two at key points on the way to your front door.
An impact-resistant light can be a strong and stylish option. This particular light can be wall-mounted next to your door, or ceiling-mounted above it.
If your front porch has several steps, you shouldn't rely solely on lights placed up near your door. These lights go right into the steps of your front porch and make for safer passage and extra lighting features.
Shown: Vitra Horizontal LED Brick Light by Amblance
A sleek way to add lighting to your porch is to borrow a trick from inside your home: recessed downlighting. Naturally, you'll want to make sure they're damp- or wet-rated for outdoor use.
Image via Hammerton Studio
These sconces aren’t exactly next to one another, but the fact that they’re matching squares, lends a nice continuity to your outdoor lighting scheme. Some lighting designers even make the same light in different sizes should you want matching lights in different scales.
You usually see woven lampshades for indoor use only, but these shades bring that concept outside. Thanks to a weather-proof fabrication method that will keep these looking good for years to come.
This sconce is a perfect square, and that allows for light to shine both downwards and up. The solid face creates a refraction of light back onto the walls that is commonly referred to as "wall washing" and a nice way to make your outdoor lighting less harsh.
If you can’t quite fit two perfectly symmetrical sconces on either side of your door, you might still be able to have a similar effect by putting the matching sconce on the adjacent wall. This works best when there's a corner as seen here.
A bright light can light up an area well, but make sure it’s diffused as to not be too harsh.
Shown Here: Luna Outdoor Wall Light
Keeping it simple and gong with a basic door-side sconce is never a bad idea, but there are some fun options out there if you want to live a little.
Shown Here: Happy Outdoor Wall Sconce by Carpyen
Sometimes a conventional porch light just won’t do.
Finding the perfect porch lighting scheme will not only illuminate a key point of entry (and help you find those keys), it can add another architectural element to your home. There are styles that wash walls in uplight and downlight for a highlighting effect on your home. Whether or not you have intricate exterior textures, these highlights improve your home’s look and up the safety factor when installed all around the perimeter of the house and above address numbers.
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