Choosing the right outdoor wall light: our 10 tips for making the right choice

Choosing a wall light may seem simple at first. Just choose an attractive model and you're done! But there's more to it than that. Whether you want to illuminate a terrace, a balcony, or a front porch, this little light has its own importance. So how do you choose the right outdoor wall light ? Here are our 10 sure-fire tips for making the right choice.

Start with the right questions: what for?

Before you decide on a model, take a minute to think about actual use of your sconce.

Is it :

• illuminate a house entrancewith automatic switch-on as soon as you approach?

• provide ambient light on the terrace?

• to ensure safety of a side passage staircase?

After all, you don't choose the same sconce to secure a driveway as you do to highlight wood cladding. And that's where it all starts.

"There's no such thing as an ideal sconce. There's the one that meets the right need, in the right place", reminds Christophe Coelho, founder of Lumihome. "We still see too many customers choosing solely on design, and forgetting the essential: use."

1 - The central question of location 

Before you go headlong for your first wall sconce, have you asked yourself where it's going to be installed? On your front porch, terrace, balcony, gate pillars? Each location has its own requirements in terms of power, ambience and functionality. 

Looking for a wall light for your entrance? It has to look good AND be practical. If you want to be able to see where you're stepping, find your keys in the dark, or make your way around even with your arms full, choose a wall light that provides sufficient illumination, preferably with a motion detector.

A wall light to illuminate your facade walls? If your sconce is intended for your storefront, then opt for powerful lighting that's both pleasing to the eye and, above all, safe.

A wall lamp for the terrace or balcony? Here, the emphasis is on relaxation and style. Choose a softer light to create a cosy, welcoming ambience, and banish dim spotlights that spoil aperitifs with friends.

2 - Style for a perfect match with the outdoors 

Now that you know where your fixture will be installed, it's time to move on to the most pleasant part of the process. Choosing the style of your lamp.

"Lumihome devotes a great deal of energy to creating lighting fixtures that perform as well as they look, says Christophe Coelho. Even when they're switched off, our products continue to shine thanks to their meticulous design and aesthetics. That's exactly what you need: style! And not just any style, a style that's ideally suited to your exterior and the location of your future luminaire."

If you already have other garden lamps, decorative objects or outdoor furniture, don't forget to take them into account too, to create harmony. Finally, choose a model you like. You'll see your wall light every day. So, whether it's round, square, lantern-shaped, ball-shaped or porthole-shaped... Above all, please yourself! 

3 - The right lighting color for the right mood

Knowing the location of your wall light will also help you choose the right color temperature. Warm, neutral or cool white? Expressed in Kelvin, lighting color determines the mood of your outdoor environment. Imagine a cold white on a terrace. It can literally break the mood! Warm white (between 2,300 K and 3,500 K) creates a cosy, warm atmosphere, perfect for the terrace. Cool white (6,000 to 8,000 K), which tends towards a bluish light, is more suited to the front of the house. As for neutral white (between 4,000 and 5,000 K), it's better suited to safer use.

4 - Up or down? Lighting has a meaning

After style comes the direction of light distribution. Wall sconces are available in up-light and down-light versions. Rising light, like our Luxoroutdoor sconce, has its light beam directed upwards. As a result, it requires plenty of free space above it to diffuse the light properly.

The descending sconce, on the other hand, has its beam directed downwards, without much surprise. They are ideal for entrances overhung by an awning or canopy, for example. 

Finally, for the undecided, there's the up-and-down sconce, in other words, a double-beam sconce like our Duo-Light sconce. Double effect guaranteed!

5 - Focus on power!

You don't want to turn your garden into a soccer stadium! So pay close attention to the wattage of your sconce. If it's intended for the entrance, you can opt for a lamp offering between 800 and 1,000 lumens. On the other hand, if it's for the terrace or balcony, opt for a model between 400 and 600 lumens. The aim here is to provide your guests with pleasant, soft light. You don't want to give them the impression of being under a spotlight.

6 - A LED wall light first and foremost

After power comes energy efficiency. And for that, there's nothing like LEDs. Not only do they consume much less energy than a traditional bulb, but they also last much longer. It's the perfect combo for illuminating your garden without impacting your energy budget. A pioneer in LED lighting, Lumihome offers LED wall lights in solar and 230V versions. 

7 - 230 V or solar wall light: my heart sways

Wall sconces are available in 230V and solar versions, to light up gardens and exteriors at lower cost. Once again, it all depends on what you want, but also on the electrical installation of your space. If you don't have any and don't want to undertake major work, the choice is made.Solar wall lights, like our Libertywill meet your lighting needs, without the need for electricity. But can a solar wall lamp compete with a 230V model in terms of power? The answer is yes. Lumihome has developed a range of solar-powered wall sconces that are no match for traditional lighting.

8 - Make way for resistance!

An outdoor wall lamp has to be weatherproof!

"Many entry-level models are not resistant to humidity, excessive heat or corrosion, says Christophe Coelho. This criterion is doubly important.

So how do you ensure that your wall light doesn't abandon you after a few months of loyal service? Check its IP rating. This is the protection index, a sort of code that tells you whether your luminaire is well protected against dust and humidity. "To find out which IP rating to choose for your outdoor lightingplease read our full article, adds Christophe Coelho. But remember that if your sconce is installed under shelter (under an awning or covered balcony), an IP44 rating may be appropriate. If, on the other hand, the sconce is openly exposed to the elements, aim for an IP65 rating or higher."

 

9 - Focus on manufacturing materials 

Wall sconces come in all shapes and materials. You'll find : 

• Stainless steel wall sconces Stainless steel is by far the best choice for your exterior and your budget. Even if stainless steel is a little more expensive to buy, it's more resistant over the long term.
• Plastic wall lights More affordable, these fixtures are more delicate. They can tarnish and break over time.
• Glass wall sconces Glass may be elegant, but it's also more fragile. Beware of bad weather and children's ball games.

 

10 - Why not add a few options?  

A beautiful, efficient and stylish wall light is all well and good. But adding a few extra features is a must! One of them is a motion detector. Lumihome offers you a wide range of wall lights with motion detectors: an added convenience for your home, and a good way to deter potential intruders and save energy. What about a dimmer as an additional feature, or even a remote control function? The Explorer LED wall light from Lumihome is fully controllable via the Smart Garden app, so you can easily create lighting scenarios. Last but not least, the adjustable sconce lets you light different areas, without having to install different fixtures. Not bad either!

And now it's your turn to play (with the right rules)

Choosing an exterior wall light isn't just a question of aesthetics or budget. It's a technical and visual decision that will influence your comfort, safety and the appearance of your home.

"A sconce is something you see every day. It's both lighting and an outward sign of care. We light well what we respect".

Take the time to compare, to understand, and to trust brands that know their stuff. That's the best way to avoid regretting your choice... after dark.