The Best Outdoor Wall Lights for Every Type of Home Exterior

The Best Outdoor Wall Lights for Every Type of Home Exterior

Outdoor wall lights can do a lot for your home. Firstly, it’s all about practicality; no tripping while taking out the bins, and no scrabbling for your keys in the dark. Then, there’s the kerb appeal; when a home is illuminated, it instantly looks more inviting. Then, you’ve got the benefits of increased security; having a light pop on when you’re approaching a home with dubious intent is immediately off-putting. The question is, how do you know which outdoor wall lights will work best for your home?

How to Choose the Right Wall Lights for Your Home’s Style

Outdoor wall lights for Victorian and Edwardian homes

If you’re shopping for a Victorian or Edwardian home, overly contemporary wall lights can look anachronistic. So, look for lights that complement the brick facades, sash windows, and decorative entrances, like the Vesilo Finesse, or Endon Burford. These outdoor wall lights share a number of key features that make them compatible with the period style:

  • Lantern-style wall sconces
  • Warm white light (2700K–3000K)
  • Traditional metal finishes like black, bronze, or brass
  • Frosted or bevelled glass for a period feel

When you choose lights with these features, you work with your home’s aesthetic, rather than against it.

Outdoor wall lights for modern and new-build properties

Whether you’re in a new housing estate or you’re looking for corner wall lights outdoors for a contemporary extension, modern lighting is your best choice. Focus on clean, understated design, with a nod towards function and geometry. The Searchlight Eiffel, for example, is simple, minimalist, verging on utilitarian. It doesn’t demand attention, but does the job beautifully well. While the Dar Lighting Yukon somehow manages to be both unobtrusive and interesting at the same time.  

Look for:

  • Slimline rectangular or cylindrical LED door lights
  • Up and down directional lights – like the Dar Vulcan
  • Matte black, anthracite, or stainless-steel finishes
  • Integrated LED outdoor lights for long-term efficiency

Contemporary homes can also benefit from having brighter, cool white lights to enhance the feel of modernity. Outdoor search lights, like the Saxby Salde, are also popular. 

Outdoor wall lights for cottages

Country cottages often have a touch of the whimsy about them; a rusticity that feels warm, welcoming, and friendly. So, any lighting you choose for a country cottage needs to reflect that. With its aged pewter swan neck and prettily shaped glass, lights like the Vesilo Serpent have something of a homemade quality.

To find the right outdoor lighting for your rural home, look for:

  • Weathered or galvanised metal finishes
  • Traditional coach lights or barn-style gooseneck fixtures
  • Warm-toned LEDs for cosy evening glow
  • Seeded, crackle, or frosted glass for added texture

While they’re clearly not original features, this style of light helps to continue the pastoral aesthetic.

Tips for choosing outdoor wall lights to match your home

  • Match lighting to your exterior materials. Brick, stone, render, and cladding all pair best with different finishes.
  • Choose LEDs for efficiency. Modern LED outdoor lights withstand UK weather, reduce energy bills, and require less maintenance.
  • Think about placement. Entrances, porches, garden paths, garage walls, and corners all benefit from different lighting intensities and styles.
  • Check IP ratings. Outdoor lights should always have an IP44 rating or higher.

With the right outdoor wall lights, you can give your home character, as well as improve the practicality and functionality of your outdoor spaces. So, stop for a moment, and think about the aesthetic before you buy. Choose well, and your home will simply shine.

Are you looking for outdoor wall lights for your home? Search outdoor lighting stores near me, or shop the complete outdoor lighting collection from Lighting R Us. 


 


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