Metal Outdoor Wall Lantern

An entrance says a lot about a house, and a lantern is one of the few outdoor fixtures that can carry that on its own. The Metal Outdoor Wall Lantern is built for exactly that role: aluminum, iron and glass in a warm brown weather resistant finish, with the classic shape people picture when they think of a porch light.

It takes a standard bulb, so the light is yours to choose, and it is rated IP54 for a porch, a gate or a garden wall.

A lantern with real weight

Metal and glass give a lantern presence that lighter materials cannot match. Beside a front door, the frame reads as part of the architecture rather than an accessory, and the brown finish sits comfortably against brick, stone and timber.

The glass panels let the bulb glow on every side, so the light spreads around the entrance instead of firing in one direction. After dark, the lantern becomes a warm point of arrival that guests can see from the street.

Bulb and voltage

The lantern takes a standard E27 bulb, which is not included. That is an advantage rather than an omission, because you can pick the brightness and the warmth that suit your entrance, and change it later if the light feels too dim or too strong. Choose a bulb rated for outdoor use if the fitting is exposed.

It is hardwired for AC90 to 260V rather than plugged in, a wide range that makes it easy to wire almost anywhere. Turn the power off at the breaker before starting, and have an electrician run a supply to the point if there is none there.

Size and clearance

The lantern measures 15 by 20 by 13.8 inches overall and projects 7.9 inches from the wall. The lantern body is 13.4 inches tall, on a base bracket 5.9 inches wide by 3.5 inches deep, as listed in the Dimensions section.

That projection is worth planning for. Beside a narrow path or a door people brush past, check that the lantern sits high enough and far enough to one side to stay clear of shoulders and bags.

Where the lantern works

• Front doors. A single lantern, or a pair, frames the entrance.
• Gate pillars. A lantern marks the way in from the street.
• Garden walls. Classic light along a boundary or a path.
• Garage exteriors. Light the drive and the door after dark.
• Traditional homes. Metal and glass suit brick, stone and timber.

Mounting it

One wall lantern is included, with its base bracket. Mount it at a height where the glass is out of easy reach and the light falls across the path rather than into the eyes of anyone walking up.

• Check the clearance for the 7.9 inch projection beside a busy door.
• Turn the power off at the breaker before starting.
• Have an electrician run a supply if there is none at that point.
• Fit a bulb rated for outdoor use in an exposed position.

Care and pairing

Wipe the lantern with a soft, dry cloth, keep the housing dry where you can, and avoid harsh cleaners so the finish lasts outdoors. Wipe the glass when it dulls, so the light stays bright.

For more lights in this style, browse the outdoor wall sconces collection, and for lanterns that hang or stand, see the outdoor lanterns collection. A few path lights along the walk complete a classic entrance.

A pair of lanterns either side of a door is the traditional arrangement, and it still looks right. Set both at the same height, fit matching bulbs, and the entrance gains a symmetry that a single fixture cannot give.

Where a pair is not possible, a single lantern beside the door works best when it is balanced by something else on the other side, such as a planter, a bench or a house number, so the entrance does not look lopsided.

Bulb choice is the easiest way to change the mood later. A soft, warm bulb makes the porch feel welcoming, while a brighter one gives clear light for keys and steps on a dark street.

Scale is the thing most people get wrong with a lantern. A fixture that looks generous in a photograph can seem small once it is on a wide brick wall, and one that looks right in a showroom can overwhelm a narrow porch. Measuring the wall and marking the lantern's outline in tape before drilling is a two minute job that saves a lot of second guessing.

It is also worth thinking about what the lantern looks like by day, because that is when most people see it. Metal and glass in a warm brown finish read as a considered detail beside a door, particularly on brick and stone, where the color picks up tones already in the wall.

Is the metal lantern right for your home?

This lantern is a good fit if you:

• Want a classic metal and glass lantern with real presence.
• Like choosing your own bulb.
• Have space for a fixture that projects 7.9 inches.
• Can have an electrician run a supply to the wall.

It is a decorative entry light rather than a floodlight. For bright security light over a driveway, a flood light will do more.

Every order ships free across the US and most arrive in 6 to 9 business days. Unused items in their original packaging can be returned within 30 days, and questions sent to info@norafurnish.com are answered in 1 to 2 business days.