25 Fantastic Front Porch Lighting Ideas

By
Sarah Lyon
sarah lyon, writer for the spruce
Sarah Lyon
Sarah Lyon is a freelance writer and home decor enthusiast, who enjoys sharing good finds on home items. Since 2018, she has contributed to a variety of lifestyle publications, including Apartment Therapy and Architectural Digest.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Updated on 05/02/23
front porch lighting ideas

Design by Calimia Home / Photo by Jeanne Canto

Selecting light fixtures for the front porch is a finishing touch that will enhance your home's curb appeal while making your home more welcoming and safe once the sun goes down. Porch light can include warm, ambient light that makes outdoor spaces feel cozy and comfortable after dark as well as cooler bright lighting that keeps your home entry well lit and safe.

From sconces to pendant lighting to integrated ceiling lights and more, check out these front porch lighting ideas in a range of settings and styles.

  • 01 of 25

    Hang a Stylish Sconce

    front porch lighting ideas

    @cottageandsea / Instagram

    A single sconce is a great choice for those who crave a perfectly asymmetrical look. If you're feeling artful, opt for one with a bit of intrigue to it, whether in terms of shape or color. Not sure where to begin? Consider playing off the shade of your front door or window shades, for example.

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  • 02 of 25

    Spread the Light

    front porch lighting ideas

    @lemonleafhomeinteriors / Instagram

    You may wish to spread sconces out throughout the length of your front porch. This ensures that everyone can enjoy ample light while spending time outside during the evening hours. Here, a single sconce illuminates a small nook that's outfitted with welcoming Adirondack chairs.

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  • 03 of 25

    Flank the Doors

    front porch sconce lighting ideas

    @lemonleafhomeinteriors / Instagram

    Many people will opt for two sconces flanking the door for a clean, symmetrical look. What's great about this option is that it's compatible with a wide range of exterior styles, whether your home is a colonial, craftsman, Victorian, or something else entirely.

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  • 04 of 25

    Keep it Simple

    front porch pendant lighting

    @kirsten.diane / Instagram

    Alternatively, a simple pendant light on its own may be enough. Here, a modern pendant light makes a bold statement and contrasts against this home's white brick exterior beautifully.

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  • 05 of 25

    Hang a Pendant Light

    simple front porch lighting ideas

    @lemonleafhomeinteriors / Instagram

    Those with a covered entryway may also wish to hang a pendant light in addition to sconces on both sides of the front door.

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  • 06 of 25

    Light the Way

    front porch lighting ideas

    Kate Marker Interiors

    A single sconce hangs above an ornate plaque detailing the history of this home, which dates back to 1860. Hanging the sconce here is a great way to draw visitors' attention to this cool fact, too. You could also install your sconce over your house numbers if you have those hanging in a similar location.

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  • 07 of 25

    Make It Decorative

    front porch lighting ideas

    Mary Patton Design

    Beautiful lanterns make a classic statement outside this stately white brick home.

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  • 08 of 25

    Add Contrast

    modern front porch lighting ideas

    Jeanne Canto for Calimia Home

    While this home is more traditional in style, modern black sconces provide a fun juxtaposition to the exterior.

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  • 09 of 25

    Make It Glow

    front porch lighting ideas

    Evens Architects

    A row of pendant lights illuminates this expansive porch, which doubles as a beautiful outdoor dining spot. The pendants, combined with candles and a fireplace, cast a romantic glow.

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  • 10 of 25

    Try a Flush Mount

    front porch lighting ideas

    Evens Architects

    A flush mount ceiling light is sleek and practical in this outdoor gathering space. Sizable outdoor furniture instantly turns the front porch into a second living room of sorts, making it easy for friends and family to gather on warm weather days without even having to step foot indoors.

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  • 11 of 25

    Go Oversized

    front porch lighting ideas

    Jeff Roberts Imaging for Nicola's Home

    When designing this home, Nicola Mangenello had her eye on something a little bit off the beaten path. “The light fixtures I selected for this porch are by Bevolo and the style is French Quarter Yoke Drop," she says. "It’s a wonderful fixture because it can be either electric or gas. I chose them for the non-traditional way that they hang. Considering the oversized scale of the home’s columns, I felt the porch needed a larger fixture to balance them out."

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  • 12 of 25

    Light the Path

    front porch lighting ideas

    Margaret Rajic for Elizabeth Drake

    “Create an inviting front porch with decorative lighting that provides an illuminated path up to the front door," designer Elizabeth Drake encourages. "This lantern with a glass top was selected for highlighting the blue ceiling feature, and its corresponding wall sconces at the door. I extended the home’s color palette of blue and silver onto the porch with a black accent front door.”

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  • 13 of 25

    Hang String Lights

    front porch lighting ideas

    @_chrissmithphotography_ for @mikestevenshomes / Instagram

    This wraparound porch features string lights for an extra dose of brightness. If your porch offers wooden beams like this, wrapping lights around them can be a great way to make the space feel even more welcoming and illuminated when entertaining at night.

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  • 14 of 25

    Hang a Ceiling Fan Light

    front porch lighting ideas

    @blessedlittlebungalow / Instagram

    A fan is a must for hot summer days on the front porch. Opt for a fixture that also features lighting so that you can continue to enjoy the fan's benefits at night, too.

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  • 15 of 25

    Choose Clean Lines

    front porch lighting

    @bytheolivetreehome / Instagram

    This metal sconce—and the pendant that is a larger mirror of it—is perfect for the minimalist entryway.

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  • 16 of 25

    Make a Statement

    front porch lighting

    Ashley Webb Interiors

    You will certainly want to choose an overhead fixture that is proportional to your entryway ceiling height. The taller it is, the more dramatic you can go when it comes to pendant lights. this one features a long chain that makes a sophisticated statement.

    The 8 Best Outdoor Floodlights of 2023
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  • 17 of 25

    Keep It Straightforward

    front porch lighting

    Britt Design Studio

    This Hamptons style home features a simple pendant light that allows the detailed window moldings to really shine and become the focal point.

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  • 18 of 25

    Choose a Decorative Bulb

    plant stool outdoors

    COTTAGE + SEA

    A modern pendant light with a beautiful rounded bulb doubles as art on this front porch.

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  • 19 of 25

    Choose Globe Lighting

    front porch lighting

    Tyler Karu

    Globe-shaped sconces add modernity and style to this front porch. The colors play to the home wonderfully, drawing from the white paneling as well as the black front door and window panes.

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  • 20 of 25

    Maintain Symmetry

    front porch lighting

    Tyler Karu

    Lanterns sconces look lovely outside this colonial style home, while plants on either side of the entryway keep the symmetrical look going.

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  • 21 of 25

    Stay Traditional

    front porch lighting

    White Sands Design Build

    Lantern style sconces remind us of simpler times when entryways were truly lit by candlelight. As the above image shows, this style of fixture doesn't have to be reserved for colonial style houses by any means.

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  • 22 of 25

    Incorporate Recessed Lighting

    front porch lighting

    White Sands Design Build

    Recessed lighting illuminates the entryway to this coastal style home, which, with its multiple porch areas, is extremely well equipped for outdoor entertaining.

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  • 23 of 25

    Go Modern

    front porch lighting

    Whittney Parkinson Design

    An ultra-modern outdoor sconce illuminates this home's entryway and complements its sleek window style at the same time.

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  • 24 of 25

    Keep It Front and Center

    front porch lighting

    Whittney Parkinson Design

    This Arts and Crafts style home features a simple pendant in the entryway, allowing the stone exterior to really be the statement maker as one walks up to the front door.

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  • 25 of 25

    Add a Pop of Copper

    front porch lighting

    Maite Granda

    Copper is a popular finish when it comes to outdoor lanterns; the ones above pop against the home's white exterior.

How high should you put lights on a front porch? 

As a general rule, the bottom of the light should be 66 inches above the porch floor, or roughly just above eye level. If your front porch has especially tall ceilings, you can go up as high as 72 inches. 

Are soft white or daylight bulbs better for porch lights?

Choosing whether to install soft white or daylight bulbs on the front porch depends on the feel and function you want to achieve. Opt for soft white to create a warm glow for gathering spaces, and choose cool, bright daylight bulbs to enhance security by keeping your outdoor space well lit. Feel free to mix and match depending on the size and layout of your porch.