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Exterior image of a grand front entrance lit up with Kroft exterior wall lights at night

Outdoor Lighting Guide

Design Your Front Door with Style


The entryway into your home can say so much about you and your style. Invite people in with a flair. It's simpler than you think. A quick coat of paint, a few accessories and, of course, the right lighting can turn a hum-drum door into a welcoming statement into your home. Try these on-trend ideas from our experts. 

Make a “WOW” Statement

The right lighting can turn a hum-drum front door design into a welcoming environment. Have a generously sized front porch? Outdoor or oversized pendants are growing in popularity and give a door character. If your entryway includes an overhead light, consider adding lights to the side of your door. They’ll provide more lighting and allow you to incorporate distinctive style with various lantern looks. To hang lantern lights around a door: choose fixtures about 1/4 to 1/3 the height of your front door and hang them 5’7” to 6’ from the ground. For more hanging tips, check out our Outdoor Lighting Placement article.

Two Mercer exterior wall lights mounted on either side of a wooden front door
Two Marimount exterior wall lights mounted on either side of a red front door to a farmhouse style house
Try a Finish Update

Black and gray tones are the latest must-have finishes for outdoor lighting. Black finishes have been growing in popularity and is available on a variety of styles. Faux wicker pendants are also expected to gain traction, giving entryways a warm, outdoor living vibe.

Image of a front porch with a Wiscombe Park exterior wall light mounted to the side of the door
Consider the Bulb

Why go with a boring pear-shaped bulb? Vintage-style bulbs are readily available – and typically feature modern-day lighting technology. Our antique bulb can transform the look of a lighting fixture giving it an industrial style look. Head over to our bulb guide to find the perfect bulb to elevate the style of your front door.

A porch with exposed wood floors and ceiling with white wood siding with white Beacon Square exterior wall lights mounted on either side of a black door
A Barras exterior wall light mounted to the side of a side door of a white house turned on at night
Be Efficient

Energy efficient operation in doorway lighting is important since it’s used so much. Several Kichler Lighting outdoor collections include Energy Star® bulbs – assuring you not only have the right bulb for the fixture but also a fixture that costs less to operate. LED fixtures are also a smart choice, where a 25 to 40 watt LED will provide light that’s similar to a 40 to 60 watt incandescent. To learn more about energy efficiency and the products Kichler Lighting offers that qualify visit our LED guide

Looking for More Ideas?

Check out how some of our influencers designed stunning entryways and click on the image to explore their Instagram page! 

Exterior image of the front of a house with wood finishes with a front porch light turned on giving a warm glow on the patio in the evening
Exterior image of a front porch with white wood paneled flooring, white walls, with a bright red front door
Exterior image of a modern front entrand with exposed wood siding with exterior wall lights mounted on either side of a black double door

Watch how we transformed two entryways with a coat of paint, a few accessories, and distinctive lighting.

ENERGY STAR is a registered trademark of the EPA

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