Porch & Entry

The porch is the first thing guests see after dark and the last place you fumble for keys, so it deserves light that is both welcoming and practical. This edit gathers outdoor wall lights for either side of the door, up and down sconces and wall washers that graze a facade, classic metal wall lanterns, slim linear fixtures and solar hanging lanterns with a flickering flame look. Many pieces offer a motion sensor, a remote or a solar panel, and a single light can appear here and in other outdoor areas.

Getting Placement and Height Right

• Size to the door: A wall light roughly one quarter to one third the height of the door looks balanced from the street. When in doubt, go slightly larger, because fixtures read smaller outdoors than they do in a photo.
• Mount near eye level: Center the fixture about 66 inches above the threshold, or a little higher on a tall door. That keeps the bulb out of direct view and lights faces rather than feet.
• Use a pair when there is room: One light on each side of the door gives even coverage for the lock and the house number. A single fixture works best on the handle side.
• Choose the power first: Hardwired sconces connect to an existing junction box and run on a switch or timer. Solar wall lights skip the wiring but need several hours of direct sun on the panel, which a deep covered porch may not get.

Warm, Welcoming and Considerate

Warm white light around 2700K to 3000K flatters brick, wood and stucco and feels friendlier than cool white. Fixtures that aim light down, or up and down, keep glare off the street and out of a neighbor's window. A motion sensor is ideal for a side door or garage entry that only needs light when someone arrives. If the wall has no overhang, check that the listing suits fully exposed, wet locations before you order.

Compare the full range of outdoor wall lights, browse outdoor lanterns, or read our front porch lighting guide for more layouts.