The best outdoor wall lights can be used for both creating ambience in your garden, patio or BBQ area, and for providing extra visibility so you're not stumbling into your shrubs late at night. Plus, they can help make your space safer to traverse when the sun goes down.
Whatever the reason you’re choosing to install outdoor wall lights, you’ll want to find a design that is not only functional, but stylish too. However, there’s a little more to consider when choosing outdoor wall lights compared to interior styles. You may want to think about a light’s security application, perhaps with a motion sensor, and how adaptable it is for the many uses of your garden space.
We’ve picked 10 of our top-rated outdoor wall lights across style, functionality, safety and security to inspire your garden illuminations.
(MORE: Complete Guide to Garden Design)
Best Outdoor Wall Lights
Made of a robust die cast aluminium with a corrosion-resistant grey slate finish, this contemporary yet fuss-free wall light creates a warm wash for great ambiance.
What's more, this neat wall light is able to be surface mounted without any wiring required while achieving a rating IP54 so it's ready for anything the UK weather might throw at it!
Buy the Luceco LED Exterior Cube now
Something for the design-oriented bunch, the Maze light creates a clean, warm illumination which would be perfect to increase kerb appeal by the front doors, or beside a patio area for entertaining.
However, before purchasing, perhaps weigh up the importance of visibility versus style as the metal rods which form the design might impact how much brightness the light provides.
Buy the Nordlux Design for the People Maze now
Homes are more automated than ever before so including your outdoor illumination with your smart home design is a natural step.
As well as the usual voice control abilities Philips Hue range offers (compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant and Apply HomeKit) the Welcome Home feature of the Philips Lucca can automatically light up your drive or porch to greet the family's arrival.
(MORE: Smart Home Tech for Every Budget)
Also, if you're planning to go on holiday for a few day, and don't want to ask the neighbours to turn of the lights so it doesn't look empty, the Lucca can mimic regular routines to warn off unwanted guests.
Buy the Philips Hue Lucca Wall Light now
If the last year or so has taught homeowners anything, it's the value of enjoying your space outdoors. The Strom light is a great option for maximising ambience courtesy of a strong white light that washes both up and down.
The beautiful metallic finish will extend your home's style, and it's impressively sturdy. It comes with a 5-year guarantee too,
Buy the John Lewis Strom Outdoor Wall Light
Steinal's XSolar will help keep your energy bills in check and your outdoors illuminated. Though it requires no fiddly wiring, as with all solar powered models, this wall light works best with a direct view of the sun which might impact where you choose to install it.
Handily, Steinal have come prepared for winter when solar gain is at a minimum and have included a micro-USB port meaning the batter can be charged all-year-round — win win!
Buy the Steinel XSolar Outdoor Wall Light now
Sleek, simple and timeless, the Henni wall and ceiling light has a white polycarbonate cover which cannot be seen once installed, leaving only the grey painted aluminium surface on display.
The warm yet bright light will work wonderfully in both areas which need good visibility – like a front porch – and entertaining spaces like patios where a comfortable, consistent illumination is required.
Buy the Lucande Henni Outdoor Lamp
Unlike more basic floodlights which can struggle with being too harsh to use as an ambient light, the Philips Hue enables users to adjust brightness and hue warmth to set the right atmosphere outdoors.
Set schedules, activate with your phone, voice-control with a device inside or do it the old fashioned was with a physical indoor switch — the Hue Floodlight is unparalleled for its low-maintenance and high-performing qualities.
Buy the Philips Hue Floodlight now
The Atlas Solar Powered Spotlights are great for highlighting garden features, such as water features, as well as any obstacles. They emit a warm white light which provides light for up to 10 hours from one full charge by the solar panel.
This also come with a power-saving mode which doubles runtimes each night, and they're super easy to install. Two bulbs are provided, but you can also get a pack with a set of four bulbs.
These spotlights have multiple mounting options, including stakes for inserting into the ground, alongside deck and wall mountings.
Buy the Atlas Solar Powered Outdoor Spotlights now
Offer a warm welcome home with the stylish, industrial-inspired Vejers wall light.
The black galvanized steel casing and tiered design does nothing to dampen the bright light while providing a characterful appearance but the model does require being wired directly into a wall so best to keep it near an entryway, rather than down the garden or driveway.
Buy the Nordlux Vejers Outdoor Wall Lantern now
How to Choose Outdoor Wall Lights
When deciding on which outdoor wall light is best for you, the most important consideration to make – aside from budget, of course – is what function it will provide. As with all lighting design, different models cater for different tasks:
Task lighting
Do you have an outdoor kitchen which requires a clear view of the job at hand or a long garden which necessitates a brighter path? Floodlights provide a strong and direct illumination.
Ambience lighting
Would you like to illuminate a section of the garden for dinner parties, or will the wall light be placed near a porch or entryway? A warm wash down the wall is ideal for setting a cosy environment while a model with a motion detector or security sensor is perfect for wall lights situated outside entryways.
Accent lighting
Is there a specific feature which you would like your outdoor wall light to highlight? A beautiful designer or contemporary wall light might be just the ticket where practicality isn’t the priority.
Which Power Supply is Best for an Outdoor Light?
While mains lights are the most reliable, solar powered options are low-maintenance and demand less energy.
Think about where and how the wall light will be connected. If along the wall of the main house, adjoining to the existing electrical lines might not be too difficult (although this option almost always requires professional installation), but if you want to light up an unconnected garage or along a fence, solar might be the way to go.
What is an IP Rating for an Outdoor Light?
All outdoors lights are given an IP protection rating to ensure they are suitable for all kinds of weather. The minimum rating is IP44 which means the seals between joints are small enough that water and moisture cannot easily penetrate and damage the light.
More Bright Buys for Your Garden
- The best garden solar lights for night time illumination
- The best patio heaters to keep you warm all-year round
Assistant Editor Amy began working for Homebuilding & Renovating in 2018. She has an interest in sustainable building methods and always has her eye on the latest design ideas. Amy has interviewed countless self builders, renovators and extenders about their experiences for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine. She is currently renovating a mid-century home, together with her partner, on a DIY basis, and has recently fitted her own kitchen.
