Longer days, warmer evenings, and time spent outside — summer is when our homes’ outdoor spaces truly come to life! Whether you’re relaxing on the porch or simply arriving home after dark, the right lighting transforms the experience.
“You need outdoor lighting whether it’s for activities, entertaining, or safety. Maybe the kids are playing basketball out front. Or you need lighting in the backyard for grilling. And don’t forget landscape lighting, especially if there are steps or changes in slopes and elevation,” says Mahlander’s Buyer Rosie Kindt.
From architectural lighting like wall sconces and porch lights to landscape fixtures that highlight your yard’s best features, great lighting adds both beauty and function. Here’s how to enhance your home’s exterior this season.
Wall Lanterns & Sconces: Style + Safety
Wall-mounted fixtures offer a perfect blend of form and function. They provide important task lighting at key entry points while also enhancing your home’s curb appeal.
Some great places to install wall lanterns or sconces include:
- On either side of the front door for a welcoming entrance
- Beside garage doors to increase visibility and security
- Near back entries, patios, or gate access points for added safety and ambiance
- Along fences or walls to define and brighten larger outdoor spaces
These fixtures come in a wide range of styles — from classic lantern shapes to sleek, contemporary forms — and many models include modern features like motion sensors or dusk-to-dawn operation.
A well-chosen wall fixture is one of the easiest ways to elevate your home’s exterior, giving it both personality and practical lighting where you need it most.
Porch & Overhead Lighting: Set the Tone from Above
Covered porches, patios, and entries benefit from a light source that provides general illumination while complementing the surrounding design.
Depending on the size and ceiling height of your space, you might consider:
- Flush mounts for lower ceilings or compact porches
- Semi-flush fixtures for a bit more decorative presence
- Outdoor-rated pendants for a design-forward statement
- Hugger fans with a low profile to stay cool on those hot summer nights
When selecting lighting for these areas, it’s important to choose fixtures with the proper UL rating. Damp-rated fixtures are designed for covered, moisture-prone spaces — like porches or verandas — while wet-rated fixtures are built to handle direct exposure to rain and snow. Our team can help ensure you choose the right one for your setup.
Adding a warm, soft overhead light helps create an inviting glow for guests and a peaceful ambiance for quiet evenings. It also extends your living area by making your porch more usable after dark, whether you’re greeting friends or unwinding after a busy day.
Pier-Mounted Fixtures: The Finishing Touch for Columns and Posts
Pier-mounted fixtures are designed to sit atop columns, posts, or piers, making them an ideal choice for stone entry pillars, fence posts, or retaining wall columns. They add architectural structure and visual interest, especially when coordinated with nearby sconces or overhead fixtures.
Use pier-mounts to:
- Illuminate driveway entry columns or patios for added drama and visibility
- Accent front yard pillars or gate posts
- Enhance symmetry and cohesion in your home’s front-facing elements
Often overlooked, these fixtures add a polished look and elevate your home’s nighttime curb appeal.
Landscape & Pathway Lighting: Quiet Power, Big Effect
Landscape lighting plays a key role in transforming your yard from dark and flat to layered and visually engaging. It provides subtle illumination that highlights your home’s best features while improving safety along paths and walkways.
Here are a few ways landscape lighting can enhance your outdoor environment:
- Path lights guide foot traffic and outline walkways or patios
- Uplights and spotlights highlight trees, shrubs, or architectural textures
- Bollard lights offer modern styling and visibility along driveways or garden borders
- Accent lighting can be used to draw attention to sculptures, water features, or other focal points
The beauty of landscape lighting is its versatility: you can go as minimal or as dramatic as you like. And with many low-voltage and energy-efficient options available, it’s a smart investment in both safety and style.
Let Your Home Shine Bright, All Summer Long
Outdoor lighting is more than just a safety feature. It’s a design element that can bring warmth, charm, and cohesion to your entire exterior. From a simple sconce swap to a full landscape lighting plan, there’s a solution for every home and every budget.
“We can make recommendations for the proper illumination based on your needs and help answer questions about size, scale, and appropriate styles and finishes for your home and climate,” Kindt says, adding it’s also important to consider any dark-sky ordinances or other local regulations that may affect your lighting choices.
Our team at Mahlander’s is here to help you choose the right fixtures for your space. Whether you’re updating your porch lights, looking for the perfect wall lantern, or exploring ways to light up your yard, we’ll walk you through it all — and help you create a home that shines after dark.
Ready to brighten your exterior? Schedule an appointment or stop by the showroom to explore your options.
