Lighting Your Indoor & Outdoor Entryways

Find a Balance Outside

When it comes to lighting your outdoor entryway, safety should come first. Although you may find the most intriguing antique wall lanterns, these alone may not throw enough light to prevent tripping at night.

For both safety and style, outdoor lighting should start at the beginning of your drive or walkway with sufficient path lighting. As a general rule of thumb, place each path light six to eight feet apart. Stepping stones and stairs should be illuminated especially well to avoid falls and subsequent injuries.

Once a guest has made it to your front porch, flush mounts are a great choice to provide general lighting for the surrounding space. Pendant lights can also be used as a welcome fixture for homeowners who want to make a bolder statement.

Then, the antique wall lanterns you found at a local garage sale can be used on either side of the front door to provide additional ambience. No matter the styles you select, make sure your outdoor lighting design avoids glares and shadows. Lights that are too big or bright for a space can lead to these issues.

For a wraparound porch, also consider LED tape lighting. Rather than hanging several pendants, tape lighting provides the soft glow you need without the measuring and extra work. Outdoor LED tape lighting is also weather-proof.

Consider Your Ceilings Inside

There is no “one size fits all” solution for lighting your indoor entryway, since houses are designed differently. When choosing a fixture, take the height of your ceilings into account.

Chandeliers accommodate high ceilings well, considering the long length from the canopy to the base. To determine the ideal chandelier diameter for your foyer, Hinkley Lighting recommends converting the length and width dimensions of your entryway to inches. So, a room that is 20 feet by 16 feet would benefit from a chandelier that is 36 inches wide. You will not have to worry about guests bumping their heads in the doorway with tall ceilings, but lower ceilings can be more architecturally complex.

Instead of hanging a fixture from a 10-foot ceiling, wall sconces can be used to distribute light around the entryway. These fixtures will not take up any floor space or endanger people walking in the door. Wall sconces also allow homeowners to highlight artwork and other decorative accents in the main entrance.

Connecticut Lighting Centers is your full-service destination for lighting design. From indoor to outdoor spaces, we have lighting experts who can help complete your project. Visit a showroom to get started on your entryway transformation today.