Considering your porch lighting ideas at the same time as finalising your porch design is a must. As well as serving to compliment the overall look of your entrance, your porch lighting ideas need to offer safety and security to everyone entering and exiting your home.
And, while solar powered lights can provide you with a great variety of options if you aren't able to add in mains powered lights, what other porch lighting ideas are there to suit your self build or renovation?
We've rounded up a selection of styles, placements and products so that your lighting will help to fully illuminate your porch ideas, and provide you with a safe passageway home.
1. Match a modern design with minimalist lights
When designing a contemporary self build home, it's not uncommon to opt for a more streamline entrance such as this one, where smooth render is paired with a simple metal front door canopy idea.
Matching your lighting with your overall design aesthetics is one of the key elements to get right when choosing your porch lighting ideas, says James Kendall, operations director at KES Lighting & Home, as is getting the size of the lights right.
"One issue that can spoil your porch lighting ideas is improper fixture sizing," he warns. "For example, lights that are too small may look out of place, while oversized ones can overwhelm the space. Always try to scale your lighting to match the size of your porch."
James is perfectly placed to offer expert guidance on all aspects of home lighting. From dazzling crystal chandeliers and statement wall lights to designer lamps and elegant drop pendants, James and his knowledgeable team are always on hand to help customers find the perfect lighting for their individual project.
2. Make the light temperature warm and welcoming
When choosing the lighting temperature for your porch lighting ideas, while it may feel more practical to choose a bright, white light, this can spoil the ambience of your porch. And, also be unsettling to the eye.
"Warm white temperatures are always better for porch lighting ideas," says David Gray, co-founder and product director at Corston Architectural Detail. "All Corston lighting options are designed with this to create a soothing atmosphere. We highly recommend incorporating this type of lighting into your space as it's functional, yet comfortable."
David is the co-founder and product direct at Corston Architectural Detail, a company offering a wide selection of hardware, sockets, switches and lighting to suit a variety of homes.
3. Layer porch and outdoor lighting
Outdoor wall lights highlight this stunning oak frame home with up and down lighters, as well as light from the property's interior providing additional illumination through its windows.
However, what unites the whole scheme is then the addition of wall lights to the side of the house too.
"Layering the lighting to your entranceway creates a more welcoming ambience to return home to especially in the winter months. Mindful design at the front of the home will not just add kerb appeal and visual interest. It will also give added functionality," says Peter Legg, brand and new product development manager at Där Lighting
Peter Legg has been with Där Lighting since 2016 and is responsible for managing over 2000 products, and works on the product selection, design processes and the marketing of the brand.
4. Use angled wall lights on shallow porches
Although porch extension ideas can benefit from the inclusion of lights within the ceiling, small porch ideas can prove more tricky when it comes to lighting.
"The average porch size in the UK is around 3m or smaller. While this size is big enough to make a positive impact on your lifestyle and leaves enough space to store any muddy boots, it is a relatively compact area for internal lighting as you don’t want there to be too much glare," explains Peter Legg.
"If your porch is shallow, then fix your light to the side of the wall so that it doesn’t encroach on your front-facing space, but will still give out a welcoming glow. Another option would be to install an extra wall light that can sit above, or to the side of your usual parking area."
Using an angled spotlight can also help cast more light along an entrance path, increasing safety.
"Placing two wall lights on either side of a porch not only spreads light evenly but also creates a visually appealing symmetry that invites guests in," adds David Gray.
5. Include small floor spots for extra lighting
Although it can be easy to place all your focus on wall or ceiling lights when looking at your entrance design ideas, it's important not to forget the floor when choosing your porch lighting ideas.
It's again another particularly important factor if your porch is more of a canopy and your front door leads out onto a step, or set of steps.
Small inset spots, such as these Wonsey Black Outdoor Ground Lights from B&Q will not only add kerb appeal from the roadside, but also ensure you avoid any trip hazards.
6. Covered porches need ceiling lights
Where your porch is covered, ensure adequate lighting to illuminate every corner for an impactful effect. Recessed spotlights in the ceiling, such as are ideal for this type of porch and can be incorporated into any style of home without detracting from the overall design.
Peter Legg agrees, saying: "The best option for the inner of an enclosed porch is to install recessed lights into the area, ideally fitted to a dimmer switch so that you can change the level of illumination you need depending on the seasons. This will be the utilitarian light stream, useful for when it comes to putting on coats or shoes, but it needs to be supported by accent lighting on the outer side of the structure."
Or, on a taller porch, you could opt for a surface mounted option such as this Lucide Tubix Modern Surface Mounted Ceiling Spotlight from B&Q, which is available in white or black.
Shop porch lighting ideas
Set up the Philips Hue Lily Outdoor stake lights and paint your outdoor spaces with a wash of vibrant colour.
The Linton outdoor wall light has a round and elegant design with clear references to the classic lantern.
This smart outdoor wall light is supplied with two LED bulbs that cast a wash of light up and down your wall.
8. Keep your lighting simple on an oak frame
When it comes to an oak frame porch, using simple lighting won't detract from the home's exterior as a whole, but will still serve to make your entrance practical and functional.
However, make sure you think carefully about where on the porch you locate your lighting says James Kendall.
"A common mistake with porch lighting is using fixtures that are too bright or poorly placed, causing glare and an uninviting look. To fix this, choose warm, softer bulbs and position lights to highlight entryways without shining directly into visitors’ eyes."
9. Match porch lighting to the rest of the home
On this more imposing entrance, traditional metal and glass wall lanterns are perfectly in-keeping with the rest of the home's exterior.
Matching the metal finish of the railings and gate, the glass sections also ensure that plenty of light is able to flood the entrance come nightfall.
"When adding a light to the outside of a porch, consider it the introduction to your internal scheme. If you’re using brass indoors, choose this finish for the front of the home too for synergy, or try a colour that matches your door for an understated look. By selecting a style to enrich your architecture, you can accentuate the character of your home," says Peter Legg.
10. Don't forget to light up an indoor porch
If your front door leads directly to a dedicated indoor porch, or a section of your hallway that's somehow separate from the rest, opt for a show-stopping pendant to really make an impression on guests and a warm welcome home on your return.
This stunning example can be seen by visitors when standing outside the front door and beautifully contrasts with the yellow hallway when exiting.
You can find a stunning range of pendant lighting at John Lewis if you're looking to find a new one, or upgrade your current hallway lighting.
11. Use smart lighting ideas for your porch
It can be very frustrating to fumble around in the the dark for house keys, only to then scramble to turn on the light once you've gained entry, so opting for indoor and outdoor smart lighting that is controlled by proximity, or the location of a smart phone solves many issues.
"Many homeowners skip motion sensors or timers, leading to wasted energy and reduced security," confirms James Kendall. "Adding these features not only saves power but also enhances safety and convenience."
12. Make sure your outdoor lighting is suitable
All lights designed for the outdoors are given an IP rating – the minimum rating for an outdoor porch should be a minimum of IP44, or better yet IP65. Be aware of this when researching the styles and options to suit your favourite ideas.
"We recommend a minimum IP44 rating to withstand various weather conditions," confirms David Gray.
“Not all lights are safe for outdoor use, let alone all year round, and there are a few factors to look out for," warns Jon Saeed, managing director of LightingLegends.com. "First and foremost, make sure to use IP65-rated waterproof lights that thrive in all weather conditions. Waterproof lights are designed to be more durable than standard lighting, preventing corrosion, rust and electrical hazards when exposed to rain and moisture.
"It’s also important to use low-wattage lighting systems and make sure your connectors and extensions are outdoor-rated,” he adds.
13. Mix lighting types in a large porch space
If you're lucky enough to have a porch, veranda or covered outdoor space with a little more room, be it at the front or back of the house, consider mixing and matching more practical ceiling lighting with decorative string lights.
"If you have a large portico that spans across the entire front of the home, position wall washers evenly across the space," says Peter Legg. "A good guiding point is to use the gaps between your pillars as the marker point for where your lighting should go. If you carve out a seating area consider placing it between a pair of lights.
"This way you can use the spot not just for socialising but also for reading as the dusk draws in. Similarly, add in portable lanterns and candles to increase the ambient lighting within the space."
14. Use solar for added decorative effect
If you aren't able to add new mains porch lighting ideas to your home renovation plans, don't dismiss the value of solar lighting for adding some extra charm to your porch.
And while permanent solar powered post lights such as this Anson Lighting Exton Black Solar Powered Outdoor LED Post Light from B&Q can give you more permanent light source, temporary options can be added too – even if just for special events or holidays.
These Solar Powered Glass Pebble Lights from Annabel James comes in two sizes and helps to clearly direct visitors to the front door, adding sufficient light for safety without requiring additional wiring.
Once you've chosen your lighting design and style, it's worth considering how you want your lighting to operate in your exterior space. While simple types of light switch can work well indoors, if you are including motion sensors, make sure you locate them at the right height.
"Lights fitted with a passive infrared sensor (PIR) work by detecting heat so it's best to place them out of the way of any obstacles (for example a pillar) to give them a clear monitoring area," says Peter Legg. It may seem like these lights should be placed at the highest point, however too high and you’ll create blind spots so place them at around six to eight feet up.
"If you don’t want all of your lights to be PIR you could place one on the corner of your porch or just overhead of your front door ideas," he suggests, "so that it is kept out of your direct sightline but can still provide added protection to your home."
