Looking for outdoor house lighting ideas that go beyond a light beside the door? Think glowing garden paths, lanterns over the porch and strings of bulbs above your patio.
There’s plenty to choose from here, whether you like a simple black fixture or a whole ceiling of little lights.
You can keep things understated or go all out. These 20 pictures include lighting inspiration plus one doorway reference with no visible fixture.
Start with the spot you want to light, then pick the details you love.
Outdoor lighting looks worth saving
a dark doorway starting point
I love this dark front door with its tall sidelights and pale brick surround. One thing to flag: there isn’t a visible light fixture in this picture, so it’s a doorway reference rather than a lighting example.
For your own version, a black overhead lantern could be a pretty addition. That’s a suggestion, not something shown here.
little lights along the curve
How pretty are those rays across the walkway? The little black path lights follow the curve beside a bed of pale stones.
I especially love how each pool of light overlaps the next.
Try keeping your lights along one edge if you want to follow this simple arrangement.
a glowing garden tree
This tree may just be my favorite feature here. The light picks out the trunk and spreading branches against the dark blue sky.
Small lights around the lawn and planting beds finish the scene without competing with that gorgeous canopy. If you have a big tree, this is a lovely direction to explore.
string lights over the patio
I am obsessed with this patio. It’s so pretty with rows of glowing bulbs overhead, plus that tall lantern beside the chairs.
Read also: 20 Balcony Decor Ideas for Small Spaces With Plants, Pretty Seating and Lights
The wall lanterns carry the same golden glow along the house. Keep a little dining area beneath the strings if you want to try a similar setup.
long curved barn lights
If you want a light fixture with a little more character, look at these curved arms! The dark shades reach out from the weathered-looking barn front, with smaller glowing fixtures farther along the wall.
I’d borrow the curved shape for a garage or outbuilding rather than trying to copy the whole setting.
light beneath the roof peaks
Don’t want strings of bulbs outlining the whole house? No problem! This front exterior uses separate pools of light beneath the roof peaks and along the lower walls.
I love how the pointed gables remain easy to see against the night sky while the garage door stays darker.
a lantern with scrollwork
How gorgeous is this lantern bracket? The curls and leaf-shaped detail are just as noticeable as the big black lantern.
This is a daytime decorative display with flowers inside the lantern, not a glowing lighting example. Save it for the shape if you’re looking for an ornate outdoor fixture.
glowing steps and railings
This little entrance has so many pretty details. Small lights sit along the stair edges and beneath the white railing, leaving little golden patches on the steps.
Read also: 20 Camper Deck Ideas With Cute Seating, Lights and Covered Spaces
If you want a similar look, keep the fixtures small rather than adding a large lantern to every post.
light against a textured wall
I am obsessed with the rough wall beside this entrance. Light from below catches the raised edges and leaves darker patches between them.
The small lights at the doorway base are worth a look too. Try this direction if you’d rather highlight your entrance than hang a decorative fixture beside it.
matching lanterns by double doors
If you love a classic entrance, this one’s for you. Two dark lanterns with curled brackets frame the brown double doors.
I especially love the crossed bars on the lanterns beside the diagonal details on the doors. Choose a matching pair if you want to keep that same look.
a lantern and address sign
This is such a pretty way to mark the driveway. A black lantern sits on a tall white post, with an oval address sign hanging just below.
The little shrubs around the base make the post feel like part of the garden. You could use a similar planting arrangement around your own entry light.
deck lights and a blue umbrella
Who says you need a pergola for overhead lights? These glowing strings stretch from the house toward a tall post beside the deck.
I love the bright blue umbrella beneath them and the white railing around the seating area. Keep that touch of color if you want something a little different from an all-neutral patio.
a simple black cylinder
Don’t want to go overboard with decorative details? No problem!
This slim black wall light sends light above and below its cylindrical body.
The black door frame beside it makes the pairing especially nice. I’d leave the surrounding wall simple, just like this.
a lantern beneath the arch
This covered entrance is so pretty. I love the hanging lantern beneath the curved ceiling, with the dark door and leafy wreath behind it.
The blue-and-white planters are a lovely extra detail. A centered pendant is worth considering if your porch has an overhead space you want to highlight.
a classic black wall lantern
If you’re looking for something simple and traditional, go with a black lantern like this one. The clear panels show the glowing bulb, while the curved top arm adds a little decoration.
There’s no need for lots of extra detail here. The rectangular frame looks lovely against the uneven colors of the brick.
globe lights across a pergola
How cute is this seating area? The round bulbs crisscross beneath the pergola beams, with potted plants lining both sides of the patio.
Try hanging your strings in loose rows to follow this look. I’d keep the pale chair cushions too, especially with all that dark framing overhead.
a row of illuminated palms
The palm trees are the stars of this side yard. Small ground lights pick out the trunks and long leaves, repeating the look all the way down the wall.
If you have a row of trees, take inspiration from that repeated placement rather than lighting just the first one.
an oversized ring pendant
This hanging lantern may be another favorite. I love the large black ring above the tapered lantern body and the dark front door behind it.
The tall white columns leave plenty of open space around the fixture. Try a bold pendant shape if you want one main lighting detail above your entrance.
slim lanterns along the porch
Here’s a lovely option for a long covered porch. Narrow black wall lanterns repeat beside the openings, with black ceiling fans overhead.
I love how the fixtures work with the dark bench and pale trim. You don’t need a big hanging pendant to give a porch a pretty lighting detail.
one glowing roofline
Last but definitely not least, we have this simple glowing roof edge. I am in love with that uninterrupted line of light above the doors.
Small recessed lights sit farther back beneath the overhang. Keep this combination in mind if you like a clean exterior without visible lanterns or hanging bulbs.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Isabella