Porch Sconce Lighting Ideas
- Selecting an unconventional porch sconce will add instant style to your entryway.applique image by Abdelhamid ESSADEL from Fotolia.com
Outdoor wall sconces are a great way to bring functional lighting and style to your porch. Whether you wish to add porch sconces to create a welcoming atmosphere or to provide security, there is a wide array of sconces available in many design choices, materials and energy options. - Place a sconce on either side of your front door for continuous lighting.White wooden front door image by Nicola Gavin from Fotolia.com
Porch sconces should be placed at optimal height. Place fixtures high enough to avoid shining in your eyes and to shine down on the entire porch area. Sixty-five inches above standing level is standard. Installing a sconce on both sides of your front door ensures consistent lighting. If one bulb goes out, you will still have light. If you can only place a light on one side of your door, choose a fixture with two bulbs. If you need to install a porch sconce on step-down siding, you may have to construct a wooden base to provide a horizontal surface for proper attachment. - Sconces that seem overly large in your hands may be the perfect size.light,porch,arch image by Greg Pickens from Fotolia.com
Consider scale when selecting your porch wall sconces. A sconce that measures approximately two feet from top to bottom may seem huge when held at arm’s length. When installed by your front door, you will find them to be the perfect size when 50 feet or more away from your porch. - Set your porch sconces on a timer for enhanced security.plug in timer image by leafy from Fotolia.com
It’s a good idea to have porch sconces that activate by motion detection, timing or photo-cell activation. Motion lighting will come on when someone enters your porch area, welcoming guests and helping you find your keys without fumbling in the dark. Choose a kit to time-activate your lights to come on even when you are on vacation. Photo-cell activated lights automatically come on at dusk and turn off at dawn. - Solar powered sconces are an energy conserving choice.solar cells image by Albert Lozano from Fotolia.com
Choose solar powered outdoor sconces for the ultimate in energy efficiency. Be selective as the illumination varies with solar powered sconces. Some selections use LED bulbs and resemble gas porch lights. This type features bright light. However, other solar sconces provide softer light that is not optimal for front porch lighting. - There are outdoor wall sconces to match your home's exterior design.lantern image by Tomasz Plawski from Fotolia.com
Choose a porch sconce that fits in with your home’s exterior design. There are porch lights available in innumerable design selections. Vintage, nautical, arts and crafts, Spanish influence, rustic, Tuscan, mission, contemporary, and modern are available from many online and retail sources. There are a wide array of material choices as well, including ceramic, bronze, brass, wrought iron, copper, and paintable.
