Get the Best Porch Lighting

Front porch lighting may be one of the most underestimated home lighting areas. One of the first things people notice when they come to your home is the front porch. Properly lighting your front porch with exterior lighting can help make a good first impression. There are many lighting options when figuring out what will work on your front porch. 

Outdoor hanging pendants. If you have a tall enough front porch, exterior hanging lights are an attractive choice. Hanging lights are a beautiful, eye-catching lighting option to add to your front porch. They can offer plenty of lighting while adding to the overall atmosphere of your porch. Be sure to select hanging lights that are outdoor-rated. These will come with features like finishes that are meant to stand up to heat, humidity, and sun. 

Exterior flush mounts. Another wonderful option for lighting your front porch is exterior flush or semi-flush mounts. The benefits of choosing this type of exterior lighting are that they are easy to install, can provide a lot of light, and can work with smaller or lower porches. One thing to consider when looking at this type of exterior light fixture is if you have wiring for it. Ceiling porch lights can be a little more rare, especially on older homes. If you don't have wiring, it will require an electrician to run the wire for a flush mount. However, it can be well worth it to get the porch lighting and aesthetic that you want for your home. 

Outdoor wall sconces/mounts. These outdoor lighting options are classically seen on many homes. They are easy to install and give off a good amount of light, making a lot of sense. However, be sure to give your outdoor wall sconces or wall mounts an upgrade. Every 5-10 years or so will keep your home's front porch and exterior looking refreshed and current. In 2024, the trending look for outdoor wall sconces/mounts is black finishes with clean lines. A good example of this is the Westover Outdoor Wall Lantern by Quoizel Lighting. The clear glass and clean black lines give it a very distinctive shape that is quite popular for exterior lighting this year. 

Landscape lighting. Landscape lighting can help light up your front porch and give you a pleasant ambiance in the evenings. There are so many options out there. From wired options to battery-powered, and even solar-powered options. You can be sure you'll be able to find the landscape lighting that is right for you and your home. While landscape lights won't be directly on your porch, they can still assist in lighting the pathways and plants that surround the porch. Spot lights are one great example because you can use them to direct light wherever you want to highlight. Whether that be on the posts on your front porch, plants around the area, or other architectural features, spot landscape lighting can direct focus to certain areas. 

Exterior recessed lighting. Outdoor recessed lighting has gained attention in recent years as another way to light home porches. Sometimes they are used in addition to wall mounts or hanging lights, and sometimes they are used completely on their own. Many homeowners find they enjoy the top-down lighting that exterior recessed lights provide. They also find the longevity and classic design appealing since recessed lighting won't need to be changed out as often.