Modern Outdoor Wall Lights

Modern outdoor wall lighting shapes

Modern fixtures keep the shape simple. Iron cylinders and aluminum rectangular tubes pair a glass shade with a matte black body, framed glass lanterns give a cleaner take on the classic porch light, and a tiered acrylic shade or a tall, slim 23.6 inch fixture adds a softer, layered glow. Every fixture here is finished in black, which reads crisp against white siding, brick or stucco.

Modern outdoor wall sconce lighting by size

Size the fixture to the door. A common rule is a light about one quarter to one third the height of the door, so a standard 80 inch door takes a fixture roughly 20 to 27 inches tall when it hangs alone, or a little smaller in a pair. Heights here run 11.9 to 23.6 inches: the 12 and 14 inch cylinders suit a side or garage door, and the 20 to 23.6 inch lanterns and tall fixtures suit a front entry.

Modern black outdoor wall lights: dusk-to-dawn, plug-in or hardwired

How the light switches on matters as much as how it looks. Dusk-to-dawn models have a built-in sensor that turns them on at sunset and off at sunrise. The cylinder and tube sets plug into a standard outdoor outlet, so they go up without new wiring, and the 12 inch cylinders are dimmable. Hardwired fixtures are best installed by a qualified electrician. Some lanterns let you select the color temperature.

Modern LED outdoor wall lights and bulbs

The tiered acrylic light has an integrated 3000K LED that is built in and cannot be replaced. Most other fixtures take standard E26 or smaller E12 bulbs, sold separately, so you choose the brightness and warmth. Every fixture here is wet rated, and the iron cylinder sets carry an IP65 rating. Wipe shades and frames with a damp cloth a few times a year to clear pollen and cobwebs.