Have you ever noticed how the proper exterior wall lighting can change the appearance of a home?

From highlighting architectural details to creating a welcoming atmosphere, the strategic use of outdoor wall lights is essential for exterior lighting.

In this ultimate guide to exterior wall lighting, we'll present the various styles, current trends, and practical tips to help you choose and install the perfect lighting solutions for your home.

Get ready to light up your outdoor space in a way that enhances its beauty, functionality, and security.

Let's brighten up those walls and make your home shine!

Styles in Exterior Wall Lighting

Let's start by discussing the diverse styles of exterior wall lighting that you can choose from :

1. Traditional Design Wall Lights

Starting with the vintage, the Traditional wall lights embody a blend of elegance and historical charm. These fixtures typically feature a provincial look, complete with ornate detailing and classic finishes such as bronze or brass.

Far from just functional, traditional wall lights add a sophisticated and playful element that integrates effortlessly into any outdoor setting.

They are perfect for complementing heritage homes or adding a timeless touch to modern facades, enhancing your home's architectural beauty while providing essential illumination.

2. Modern Wall Lights

Shifting from traditional to contemporary outdoor lighting, modern wall lights stand out with their sleek, minimalist designs that perfectly complement modern architectural elements. These lights often feature clean lines and simple yet striking features that can transform the facade of a contemporary home.

Take, for example, our BURSON LED Crystal Outdoor Exterior Wall Sconce. This fixture is a prime illustration of modern elegance, boasting a bubble crystal shade paired with a matte black finish.

It's an ideal choice for those looking to add a touch of sophistication and a modern twist to their outdoor spaces, ensuring that style and functionality meet seamlessly.

3. Rustic Wall Lights

Following the sleek lines of modern designs, let's turn our attention to rustic outdoor wall lights, which bring a whole different character to outdoor settings. These fixtures are ideal for those who appreciate the rugged, natural look that complements cottage-style or country homes.

Rustic wall lights typically feature materials that blend into natural surroundings, like distressed wood, wrought iron, and frosted glass.

They add a warm, inviting glow that enhances the cosy charm of any rustic or traditionally styled exterior.

4. Industrial Wall Lights

Building on the variety of styles we've explored, industrial wall lights introduce a distinct flair to exterior design. Characterized by their metallic finishes and structural simplicity, these wall lights are a nod to the utilitarian and raw elements found in old factories and industrial spaces.

Industrial wall lights often incorporate materials like brushed steel, copper, or wrought iron, and their designs are straightforward yet bold, making a solid statement.

Perfect for urban or loft environments, these fixtures can also add an edgy, contemporary look to more traditional settings.

Trends in Exterior Wall Lighting

As we explore the diverse styles of exterior wall lights, it's equally important to consider the latest trends shaping outdoor wall lights. Here are few trends that you have to keep an eye and have remain consistent with exterior wall lighting.

1. LED Lighting But With A Vintage Bulb

LED technology has revolutionized lighting by offering superior energy efficiency and longer lifespans.

However, many homeowners still crave the nostalgic charm of vintage styles. This has led to an innovative combination: LED lights that incorporate vintage-style incandescent light bulbs.

These bulbs are designed to mimic the warm glow and filament designs of classic incandescent bulbs, yet they harness the benefits of LED efficiency.

This trend allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds—modern functionality and classic design—in your exterior wall lights, ensuring that your outdoor spaces are illuminated effectively and stylishly.

2. Luminaire Designs Mimicking Candle Lighting

Another appealing trend in outdoor wall lighting fixtures is luminaire designs that mimic the soft glow of multiple candles. This style harks back to the classical aesthetic of candlelit ambience, bringing a historical and romantic flair to modern settings.

These fixtures often feature arrangements like candle holders, offering a nostalgic charm integrated with modern efficiency.

3. Contemporary Twists with Creative Elements

Additionally, modern designs take creative liberties by incorporating unexpected materials and designs. For example, some contemporary fixtures feature crystal bubbles or geometric crystals, adding a touch of luxury and avant-garde style.

These elements reflect light in unique patterns, creating dynamic and eye-catching displays that illuminate and serve as focal points of exterior decor.

4. Smart Lighting

As we delve deeper into the cutting-edge trends shaping exterior wall lighting, intelligent lighting technology emerges as a standout development. This innovative trend has revolutionized homeowners' interactions with their outdoor wall lighting.

Smart exterior light systems allow you to adjust the brightness of the light bulbs, switch colours, and even set schedules from your smartphone or tablet, providing both convenience and efficiency whether you're setting the mood for an evening gathering or enhancing security while away, smart lights adapt to your needs.

This trend is perfect for tech-savvy homeowners looking to integrate modern conveniences into their home's exterior lighting design.

5. Integrated Security Features

Moving from smart lighting controls to security enhancements, another significant trend that has emerged and remained consistent in exterior wall lighting involves integrating lights with security features. This integration transforms how we think about outdoor illumination—not just as a means of decoration but as a crucial component of home security.

Exterior lights with motion sensors offer homeowners peace of mind alongside ambient lighting. These security lights featuring motion sensor lights can detect movement and automatically turn on when someone approaches, deterring potential intruders and ensuring that your pathways are always well-lit when needed.

Some exterior lights have cameras integrated into these lighting fixtures provide real-time surveillance footage, which can be accessed remotely via smartphones, allowing constant monitoring of your property's perimeter.

Tips for Choosing and Installing Exterior Wall Lighting

As we shift from discussing current trends to offering practical advice, it's essential to consider how you can effectively choose and install the proper exterior wall lighting for your home. Here are

key tips to ensure your outdoor lighting is not only stylish but also durable and appropriately installed.

1. Selecting the Right Style and Material

The choice of style and material is crucial when selecting exterior wall lights. Opt for materials that can withstand the elements, especially if your home is located in an area with extreme weather.

Metal frames, particularly aluminium, are excellent choices due to their resistance to weathering and corrosion. Aluminium is durable and lightweight, making it easier to install and maintain over time.

2. Height Placement

When installing exterior wall lights, positioning them at the optimal height is crucial for maximizing their effectiveness and enhancing the visual appeal of your outdoor space.

It's advisable to mount wall lights at eye level or slightly higher.

For the fixtures that include an opaque shade with the light bulb facing downwards, consider placing it higher than usual. This adjustment helps broaden the spread of light, allowing it to illuminate a larger area and ensure that the lighting is functional and aesthetically pleasing.

3. Ingress Protection Ratings (IP)

When installing your exterior wall lights, ensuring that all fixtures are securely sealed against water ingress is essential.

It's advisable to look for lights with a high Ingress Protection (IP) rating to ensure they are well-protected against solid objects and liquids.

A good standard to aim for is an IP44 rating, which protects from objects larger than 1mm in size and from water splashes from all directions. This rating is particularly suitable for outdoor fixtures, ensuring your lighting remains safe and functional in various weather conditions.

4. Multi-Utility Exterior Lighting

When choosing an exterior wall light, also consider selecting wall lights that offer multi-utility benefits. Your outdoor lighting should provide ambient illumination to enhance the beauty and comfort of your outdoor spaces and serve as an effective security measure.

Opt for lighting that can brighten up dark corners and extensive areas around your home, thereby deterring potential intruders and increasing safety.

This dual functionality ensures that your investment in outdoor lighting meets aesthetic and practical needs, making your exterior spaces welcoming and secure.

5. Installation Guidance

It is strongly recommended that you hire a qualified electrician for the installation of exterior wall lights that come with hardwiring. This ensures that all work is carried out safely and in accordance with local building regulations and electrical codes.

A professional electrician can handle the technical aspects of installation, including adequately handling wiring and ensuring all connections are secure and weatherproof.

This guarantees that your lighting is installed correctly and helps prevent potential electrical hazards, providing peace of mind that your lighting system is safe and reliable.

6. Compatibility with Ceiling Lights

When selecting exterior wall lighting, it is essential to consider how these fixtures will complement and integrate with other outdoor lights around your property, including outdoor lights such as solar garden lights and ceiling lights under covered patios.

Ensuring compatibility between different types of lighting not only creates a cohesive aesthetic but also enhances the overall functionality of your lighting scheme.

Choose wall lights that harmonize in style, colour, and brightness with your ceiling lights, especially in covered areas like porches or outdoor patios. This coordination ensures a balanced and unified look while providing ample illumination that seamlessly transitions from one space to another.

Conclusion

As we wrap up our comprehensive guide on exterior wall lighting, it’s evident that the right fixtures do more than illuminate your home; they enhance its character and curb appeal.

From casting a soft glow that welcomes guests to providing added security, exterior wall lights are a key component of any outdoor lighting plan.

To seamlessly incorporate these insights into your home, consider exploring the diverse range of durable and stylish exterior wall lights offered by 7Pandas UK. Whether you aim to highlight architectural details or boost your home’s security, our collection ensures that every outdoor moment is perfectly lit.

7Pandas UK: We are a Lighting Store based in the UK, delivering extensively UK-wide.