An Introduction To Outdoor Lanterns
Enhancing your home’s exterior with outdoor lanterns adds safety, security, and style to the most critical areas of your property.
DOORWAYS & ENTRANCES
A well-lit front entrance lets you greet guests and welcome visitors with inviting style. Wall-mounted lanterns on each side of a door will give your home a warm, welcoming look, while assuring the safety of those who enter. Entrance lanterns should be mounted so the center of the light source is approximately 66" above the threshold of the door.
SIZE
YOUR ENTRANCE LANTERNS BASED ON THE HEIGHT OF THE DOOR
Two lanterns mounted next to an entrance should appear approximately one-fourth the height of the door. A single lantern should appear approximately one-third the height of the door. The overall bulk of your lanterns should not exceed one-half the visual height of your door.
UNDER A PORCH OR OVERHANG
Add a hanging lantern, pendant, or outdoor flush-mount for extra illumination that covers the entire area. For long porches that run the length of the home, consider placing a series of hanging lanterns.
HOW TO SIZE AN OUTDOOR LANTERN
One of the biggest challenges of outdoor lighting is selecting the right-sized outdoor lantern. Don’t undersize your lanterns – As a general rule, properly sized lanterns should appear around half the size from 50 feet away. Visualize the front of your home as guests and neighbors would view it from the street, and when in doubt, always go larger.
SECONDARY ENTRANCES
A rear or side entrance can be lit with a single wall lantern installed on the keyhole side of the door. For the safety and security of family members using the garage at night, you can install wall lanterns on the side of the garage.
COMPLEMENT WITH PATHWAY, PIER & POST LIGHTING
Porches, decks, patios, and pathways should be illuminated to ensure guests can move about easily and safely after dark. If additional light is required, you can install path lights, post/pier-mount lanterns, or additional wall-mounted lanterns on the side of your house. Path lights that spread circular light patterns will illuminate your walkway while highlighting nearby flower beds, shrubs, and ground cover.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING PRO TIPS
ENTRANCE LANTERNS SHOULD BE MOUNTED SO THE CENTER OF THE LIGHT SOURCE IS APPROXIMATELY 66” ABOVE THE THRESHOLD OF THE DOOR.
FIXTURES LOOK SMALLER FROM A DISTANCE. WHEN IN DOUBT, CHOOSE LARGER LANTERNS FOR BETTER STREET VISIBILITY.
INSTALL WALL FIXTURES NEAR THE GARAGE FOR SAFETY AND VISIBILITY AT NIGHT.
REAR OR SIDE ENTRANCES CAN BE LIT WITH A SINGLE WALL LANTERN INSTALLED ON SIDE OF THE DOOR.
USE LOW-VOLTAGE LANDSCAPE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE STEPS, PATHS AND DRIVEWAYS–GREAT FOR BOTH SAFETY AND HIGHLIGHTING PLANTS.
PATH LIGHTING SHOULD BE PLACED 6 FT. APART TO ENSURE ADEQUATE OVERAGE.