17 Front Porch Lighting Ideas
By: Sarah
If you’re on the hunt for front porch lighting ideas, the expert exterior designers at brick&batten have you covered. We’ve rounded up our favorite lighting options — including sconces, lanterns, and a go-to porch pendant — in the list below. There’s something for just about every front porch set up and design style in this list. Lighting is known as the ‘jewelry’ of interior design, and it functions in the same way for exteriors. So get ready to accessorize!
Note: If you’re looking for front porch lighting ideas for alongside your front door, pay particular attention to a fixture’s dimensions. As a good rule of thumb, a fixture should measure at least 1/4 the height of the door. Some of the lights below are better as accent lights for a larger porch. And many would work as part of an extended exterior lighting family — you don’t have to use the same light for every place you have exterior wiring! It’s both fun and visually compelling to mix and match.
The details are key in maximizing curb appeal. That’s why, in addition to things like paint colors and siding materials, we also include design element recommendations — such as planters, door mats, and mailboxes — in our designs. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.
Our designers only use and recommend products that we know, love, or would use on our own properties. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission, at no cost to you.
#1 // Visual Comfort Outdoor Cylinder 18.25” Two Light Wall Lantern
Simple and sleek, this contemporary wall lantern is one of our designers’ favorite front porch lighting ideas, and for good reason. First of all, it’s easy to work with. Because of its dimensions, it can fit in narrow spaces, say alongside a front door under a smaller portico. Next, it plays well with others as part of a mix-and-match lighting family. Finally, it has two sockets — one for a bulb that shines light up and another that shines light down. Uplighting is dramatic and is a great way to light up space, while the downward-facing light is helpful when searching through your purse for your keys.
#2 // Visual Comfort Roton 18” Outdoor Pendant
We love drop lighting in outdoor spaces that allow for it because it dresses things up. This pendant is beloved by brick&batten designers because of its modern elegance.
#3 // Visual Comfort Darlana 27” Bracketed Wall Lantern
This tall wall lantern has a classic look in a modern execution. The candelabras bring a charming Old World character to the fixture, while the sharp lines, particularly on the hang mount, make it feel current. The dark bronze finish is versatile, and the size is statement-making. We love using a piece like this to frame double doors outside a transitional white brick home.
#4 // Visual Comfort Bowman 6” Outdoor Wall Sconce
Small in size but mighty in impact, this sconce uses down lighting to brighten a front porch. The fixture has a distinct modern style and can work on porches as well as alongside garage doors. It comes in five finishes: black (pictured), bronze, charcoal, silver, and white.
#5 // Visual Comfort Windfall 16″ Outdoor Wall Sconce
A long and narrow option, the Windfall sconce is unabashedly contemporary. Its slim profile affords it flexibility, and its aluminum structure is highly durable. Plus, it comes with an integrated LED lamp.
#6 // Visual Comfort Alban Medium One Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Another of our top contemporary front porch lighting ideas, the Alban lantern features mouth-blown glass. It comes in three finish options: antique bronze (pictured), black, and satin aluminum. This fixture could also work outside a mid-century modern style home!
#7 // Visual Comfort Pohl Large Two Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Similar to the cylinder lantern (#1), this light fixture features two lights for both uplighting and downcast illumination. Its long rectangular shape is both unique and on-trend.
#8 // McGee & Co. Halle Wall Lantern
The Halle lantern brings an elegant, industrial energy to a front porch. The gold backplate is rich and warm, complementing the singular exposed bulb. Our designers often use this light fixture to modernize a traditional home’s exterior or as part of a transitional exterior lighting family.
#9 // McGee & Co. Barn Light Outdoor Wall Lantern
Another industrial fixture, this aluminum lantern is our top lighting choice for a modern farmhouse front porch. It’s charming and timeless and looks meant-to-be on a white house with black trim.
#10 // McGee & Co. Fresno Outdoor Long Wall Sconce
With thinner lines than the Halle lantern (two above) and a singular bulb that points down rather than up, the Fresno sconce feels a bit sleeker and a touch more modern. It’s almost 30″ tall, too, so it will certainly draw the eye to a front door when flanked alongside!
#11 // Shades of Light Modern Obelisk Outdoor Wall Lantern
This lantern-style sconce has a striking geometric shape. The double layered frame is visually interesting, with the bottom of the inner glass planes flaring to their widest point at the bottom, where they meet the narrowest point of the outer open frame. We like this versatile light for traditional, transitional, Craftsman, and cottage-style homes.
#12 // LightsOnline Albertine 2-Light Outdoor Wall Light in Textured Black by Aerin
If you couldn’t tell, our designers love these two-light sconces! Aerin is a luxury brand, but this collection comes at an accessible price point. We get major Jetsons vibes from this fixture and love it for front porches of mid-century ranches!
#13 // LightsOnline Troy Darwin Wall Sconce in Textured Black
We love the combination of the soft round bulb and sharp-edged, hand-crafted aluminum setting of this sconce. It is decidedly modern and works best on homes with other contemporary design elements.
#14 // LightsOnline Kichler Goson 12″ Outdoor Light in Black
This budget-friendly outdoor light is a good choice for tighter spaces. It’s only 7″ wide by 12″ high — so we’d recommend it as a front porch accent light as opposed to flanking a front door, where it would be too small. The industrial style of the Goson light was inspired by old factory windows.
#15 // LightsOnline Generation Lighting Crittenden 9″ Outdoor Wall Light in Black
Similar to the Bowman light (#4 above), the Crittenden provides downward directional light for a front porch. It’s a bit taller than the Bowman, with a smaller mount, and at a more affordable price point.
#16 // Scout & Nimble Atwater One Light Wall Sconce
Our designers love the uncommon nature of this sconce — you certainly won’t see something like it on every home in your neighborhood! Made of solid brass with a vintage finish, it feels at once sophisticated and casual. The Atwater sconce is versatile and is an excellent choice for the homeowner looking to bring a bit of eclecticism to their front porch design.
#17 // Lighting New York Rue De Royal 2 Light 10.5″ Outdoor Wall Light
This gorgeous copper lantern is a beautiful choice for traditional and historic homes. It’s meant to emulate the style of antique gas lights but is updated for a modern electrical installation. (No need to run a propane feed!) Solid copper and hand-riveted, this light brings a romantic, thoughtful, timeless touch to a front porch.
Our designers’ top front porch lighting ideas
Lighting is often the finishing touch of a home exterior design update, and it’s one of the fun, pretty things our designers absolutely love helping homeowners with. And, in our opinion, the prettiest design elements marry form with function. Our selections above do just that. We hope you’re feeling inspired!
Whether you’re considering updating your home’s front porch, color palette, or the entire exterior (front, back, and sides!), all of the pieces need to work together to deliver maximum curb appeal. We’re here to give you a design plan that will accomplish your goals AND help you visualize your home’s potential. Get started on your exterior design project today.
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