Outdoor wall lamps

A wall lamp takes up no ground space and uses a light point on the wall. That is why it is the most common lamp on balconies, entrances and courtyards. First of all, decide what it is for: helping you find the lock, lighting a passage or drawing on the wall.

Outdoor wall lights: where to put them next to the door

The centre of the lamp usually sits between 150 and 170 cm from the ground, more or less at eye level. Some guides go up to 180 cm. Leave 15–30 cm between the lamp and the door frame. If you fit only one, choose the handle side: it lights the lock and the face of whoever arrives better. With a very tall door, move the lamp a little higher.

Outdoor wall lamps: what size to choose

Next to a door, retailers' guides suggest a third of the door's height for a single lamp and a quarter for each of two. On a 2.1 m door that is about 70 cm for one and about 50 cm for each of two. These are rough proportions: many modern wall lights are smaller, and then what counts most is how much light reaches the lock and step. Dana by Amarcords, for example, is a linear wall light from 15 to 90 cm: you can choose the length to suit the wall.

Outdoor wall lamps: what IP rating you need

The rating depends on how exposed the wall is. Under a balcony or canopy, IP44 is usually enough. On an exposed wall, IP44 is the minimum: if the wall takes driving rain, choose IP54 or IP65. Our product pages, when they state the rating, mostly say IP54 or IP65. Watch out for collections that also exist for indoor use: check that you have chosen the outdoor version. You will find the meaning of the codes in the guide to outdoor lamps.

Outdoor wall spotlights: light downwards or up and down

A lamp that sends light only downwards lights the floor and the step, and loses little towards the sky. A double-emission one, up and down, draws on the wall with two beams and is more decorative than helpful for seeing where you put your feet. Dana, for example, has models with one or two emissions. A shielded light dazzles less than one you can see directly. Avoid spotlights pointed at the neighbours' windows.

For a purely decorative effect, see Dots by Vibia, a concave disc that reflects the light onto the wall like a moon, or Circ by Estiluz, a sphere of light on a metal ring designed by Nahtrang Studio.

Isyluce outdoor wall lights: E-Sea and the seaside

Near the sea, salt attacks metals, especially in the first kilometre from the coast. The material counts, as well as the IP rating. E-Sea by Isyluce is the outdoor line also suitable for seaside environments. You will find the other Isyluce wall lights on the brand page.

Outdoor wall lanterns or modern wall lights

A lantern, or a lamp with a classic shape, looks good on a traditional façade. A flat wall light is more discreet and stands out mainly for its light. The other outdoor lanterns are on the dedicated page.

Very bright outdoor wall lights: how much light you need

The wall lights in our catalogue range from just over 100 lumens to several thousand, in the longest models. More light does not mean seeing better: at the entrance a lamp that is too strong dazzles whoever arrives. Choose a warm light, between 2700 and 3000 K. If you want it to switch on by itself, look for a model with a motion sensor: MyWhite by Decorative is an outdoor ceiling or wall line, also available with a sensor.

Drilling the wall and connecting the lamp are a job for an electrician, especially if the wall has external insulation or a cladding that must not be damaged.

To choose by brand, start from the outdoor lamps of Isyluce, Flos, Karman or Foscarini.