12 stunning outdoor wall lighting ideas for 2024

Outdoor wall lighting might seem simple and straightforward on the surface but there are actually many creative ways to approach it using different techniques, styles and types of lighting fixtures. For many, it’s a missed opportunity but for those in the know, it’s a way to create a bit of depth, character and a fantastic point of difference in an outdoor space.

A great thing to do is to use your home’s exterior architecture to your advantage. Wall lights that highlight architectural features can be used on columns outside your home or around your deck or patio.

These provide great accent lighting that can help illuminate your backyard or patio while creating a customised look for your home. A wall-mounted light that shines both up and down the column to help highlight the height.

Warm, yellow lights also create a cosy atmosphere and won’t be as harsh as those with a white colour temperature. Warm lighting makes for a more comfortable setting when spending time outdoors.

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Lanterns are one of the oldest forms of lighting, and they’re still going strong today. These classic fixtures look great with nearly every exterior architectural style. Because of their popularity, lanterns also come in a variety of styles, so you’re sure to find one that fits your home.

Modern lanterns can give an updated look while classic styles lend a French country or cottage look to your outdoor living spaces.

Traditionally, lanterns used candles to provide light, however, many modern lanterns use electric light. If you love the traditional look, you can still find gas-powered flames.

Accenting your doorways with outdoor wall sconces is a great technique to try. Sconces are installed flush to the wall and create the illusion of floating light. You can find wall sconces in super ultra-modern geometric designs or more traditional lamp designs.

Place them on either side of the back door leading to the garden or your front door in the entryway. These sconces will highlight the architectural detail while providing a functional light too.

Just be sure to choose a sconce that’s made for an exterior wall light rather than an interior one. It needs to be specified as weather-resistant, so the materials can withstand the elements.

Up and down lighting is another form of accent lighting that can highlight details or features of your home. These are placed on the wall or on the ground so they can shine up into the air and down onto the ground.

Up lighting can help highlight an architectural feature like a column or create a unique lighting pattern when placed on a half wall, retaining wall, or fence. While down lighting can highlight any features below the light that you wish to illuminate.

Strip lighting can also be used for uplighting by installing a line of strip lights at the base of a wall. This style of lighting is also good for garden lighting to help illuminate landscaping and trees.

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A gooseneck light will give your outdoor space a rustic feel and are reminiscent of an industrial light used on farms. However, you can find these lights in more refined finishes if the rustic industrial look is not for you.

The lamp design can be eye-catching and allows it to be used throughout the exterior of your home. Add enough of them to the backyard, and they can provide ambient lighting for when you're relaxing outside.

They can also act as accent lighting and be placed strategically throughout the garden or on the side of the home.

Add a touch of industrial style to your exterior with bulkhead lights. Bulkheads sit flush on exterior walls and feature a cage-like design that encapsulates and protect the rounded lights.

Bulkhead lights are also popular in coastal homes because they provide a lot of light and are incredibly durable to harsh elements. The cage helps to protect the light from water, dust, and damage.

These are great lights to have around your home to add ambient light and illuminate a large space. If the caged look isn't your style, you can find uncaged bulkheads that have a modern sleekness.

Flush mount lights are mounted directly to the wall, unlike semi-flush lights that are mounted by a panel with the light fixture unattached. Flush mount lights are best when you have a small space but still want the maximum amount of light.

Luckily, flush mount lights come in a variety of shapes, styles, and sizes, so you can find the perfect one for your home. They can be styled as LED wall lights or as traditional lanterns.

Because they're often compact, you can use these around your home in even the smallest places. This allows you to have the entire perimeter of your property lit up.

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Spotlights are great when you want to illuminate a focal point outside. This style of light is often multi-functional and can fit just about anywhere in your garden or yard.

Use a spotlight as floodlights to brighten the entire yard or driveway. This can be a security measure and can be motion-activated to turn on when a sensor detects movement.

You can also use a spotlight to highlight features of your landscaping or architectural details of your home. With so many functions you can’t go wrong with these versatile lights.

Globe lights are light fixtures that add some glamour to your outdoor space. They have a sleek modern design, but the curve of the glass sphere adds some softness and whimsy that provides a truly unique look.

Globe lights are best with contemporary and midcentury exteriors. But can also juxtapose traditional-style homes. Most often, they're used outside of doorways and entryways.

The glass can be frosted, seeded, or fully transparent, and the metal comes in a variety of finishes, so you can find the perfect globe light for your home.

Outdoor pillar lights are a type of exterior lighting fixture designed specifically for mounting on pillars, posts, or columns. They play a dual role in both aesthetics and functionality.

Architecturally, they enhance the visual appeal of a property by highlighting entranceways, pathways, or fences, ensuring they remain focal points even after dusk. Functionally, these lights enhance safety and visibility in outdoor spaces, reducing the likelihood of trips or accidents.

They come in various designs, from classic lantern styles to more modern, sleek versions, and utilise different types of bulbs, including LED, incandescent, and solar-powered options.

The cone outdoor wall light is a stylish and practical lighting solution for exterior spaces. Distinguished by its conical shape, this fixture provides targeted illumination, making it ideal for highlighting entrances, pathways or spaces such as outdoor sinks or bathrooms.

Crafted from durable materials, it's designed to withstand the elements while maintaining its appeal. With advancements in LED technology, many models offer energy-efficient lighting, balancing performance with eco-friendliness.

Outdoor wall lamps are pivotal elements in exterior design, acting as the bridge between functional lighting and artistic exterior detailing. Unlike other outdoor lighting fixtures, wall lamps are typically affixed to the vertical surfaces of a building or boundary wall, casting either uplight, downlight, or both.

Their designs range from traditional lantern-style fixtures to contemporary minimalist shapes, allowing for a wide array of architectural integration. Materials often include brass, wrought iron, copper, and more modern options like aluminum or tempered glass.

Some models are equipped with features like frosted glass to diffuse light or motion sensors for security purposes, and many now integrate with home automation systems.

Adding these outdoor wall lighting ideas to your patio, deck, fence or garden wall allows you to enjoy these spaces even after the sun goes down. You'll have both the cosiness of inside your home while enjoying the natural beauty outside. Whether you’re entertaining or simply relaxing, be sure to illuminate your outdoor oasis to realise its absolute potential.

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Article last updated: 11th August 2023.