About Outdoor Wall Sconces
Outdoor wall sconces light the front door, the garage and the back patio, and they're the first light guests see when they pull in. Picture a friend walking up after dark: a pair of outdoor sconces lights their face and the lock, so they don't fumble for the bell. Good outdoor wall lighting starts with two checks: a rating that fits where the light hangs, and a size that fits the door. Outdoor wall lights are usually hardwired, and a hardwired light should be installed by an electrician.
Types of outdoor wall lights
- LED Outdoor Wall Sconces The light is built in, so there's no bulb to change. Integrated LEDs are rated for tens of thousands of hours and use less energy than incandescent bulbs.
- Marine Grade Outdoor Wall Sconces Sconces with finishes meant for coastal homes near the ocean or a salt-water bay. "Marine grade" is a maker's term, so check what the listing says the finish is.
- Lantern Sconces Glass panels around the bulb in a metal frame. The classic look beside a front door.
- Up and Down Lights Cylinders that wash the wall above and below the fixture. A clean look on modern homes and between garage doors.
- Barn Lights A wide shade on a curved arm that throws light down onto a door, a sign or a barn-style garage.
- Dark Sky Sconces Shielded fixtures that aim the light down, the kind DarkSky International recommends.
How to choose an outdoor wall sconce
- Rating Damp rated under a solid roof, like a covered porch. Wet rated where rain can reach it. When in doubt, choose wet rated.
- Size Measure the door. One outdoor wall lamp should be about 30% to a third of the door's height; a pair, about a quarter each. Outdoor wall lights look smaller from the street than in the box, so go bigger if you're between sizes.
- Placement Center the light about 66" above the threshold, one on each side of the door, or one on the latch side. For outdoor wall lighting along a long wall or fence, space lights evenly, roughly 8 to 10 ft apart.
- Coast Salt air corrodes standard finishes. The closer to the water, the more it matters; within a mile or two, choose a marine grade or coastal finish.
- Controls A dusk-to-dawn sensor switches the light on at dusk and off at dawn. A motion sensor turns it on when someone approaches and may use less energy than a light left on through the night.
Outdoor wall sconce size chart
| Where it goes | Fixture height | Mounting height |
|---|---|---|
| Front door, one sconce | About 30% to a third of the door. 80" door: 24" to 27" | Center about 66" above the threshold, on the latch side |
| Front door, a pair | About a quarter of the door each. 80" door: about 20" | Center about 66" above the threshold, one on each side |
| Single garage door | A quarter to a third of the door. 7 ft (84") door: about 21" to 28" | One on each side, centered about 66" up; over the door, about 6" above it |
| Double garage door | Same rule. 7 ft (84") door: about 21" to 28" each | One on each side, centered about 66" up |
| Back door or patio door | About a quarter to a third of the door. 80" door: 20" to 27" | Center about 66" above the threshold, beside the door |
Outdoor sconce specs explained
- Damp or wet rated Damp rated handles humidity and condensation, not direct water. Wet rated handles rain, snow and sprinkler splash.
- Finish Powder-coated aluminum and solid brass are good outdoor finishes. Unlacquered brass darkens over time and can turn green near salt water.
- Color temperature 2700K to 3000K looks warm on a house. Security floodlights often run 4000K to 5000K, which reads as bright white and can feel harsher.
- DarkSky DarkSky International recommends 3000K or lower, shielded and aimed down, to cut glare and light that spills into the sky.
- Lens On an outdoor sconce light, frosted, opal or etched glass hides the bulb so it doesn't glare at eye level. Clear or seeded glass shows off a decorative bulb; pair it with a lower-lumen bulb to keep glare down.
Outdoor wall sconce questions
What's the difference between damp and wet rated?
Damp-rated outdoor sconces handle humidity and condensation but not direct water, so they belong under a solid roof: a covered porch or a deep overhang. Wet-rated ones are built for rain, snow and sprinkler splash, for exposed walls and open patios. If wind-driven rain can reach the light, choose wet rated.
How big should an outdoor wall sconce be?
One outdoor wall sconce beside the door should be about 30% to a third of the door's height. A pair should be about a quarter each. For a standard 80" door, that's about 24" to 27" for one light, or about 20" each for a pair.
How high should outdoor wall lights be mounted?
Center them about 66" above the threshold, just above eye level, so the light reaches faces and the lock. A light mounted over a door sits about 6" above it.
What size lights go beside a garage door?
A quarter to a third of the door's height. For a 7 ft garage door, that's about 21" to 28" each. Put one on each side, centered about 66" up. On a double garage door, use the same size on each side.
What color light is best for outdoor wall lights?
2700K to 3000K looks warm on a house. DarkSky International recommends 3000K or lower, with the light shielded and aimed down. Security floodlights often run 4000K to 5000K, which reads as bright white and can feel harsher.
Dusk-to-dawn or motion sensor: which is better?
For an outdoor wall lamp by a porch or front door, a dusk-to-dawn sensor keeps the entry lit through the evening without anyone flipping a switch. For a side door or the back of the house, a motion sensor turns the light on when someone approaches, which helps light the way, and may use less energy than a light left on through the night.
