When it comes to creating a beautiful and functional outdoor space, lighting is often the unsung hero. The right outdoor lighting not only elevates your home’s curb appeal but also enhances safety, security, and your enjoyment of outdoor living areas after dark.
I’ve recently been in the process of selecting outdoor lighting for our own home, and honestly—it’s been more challenging than I expected. Between choosing the right style, making sure the fixtures are cohesive with each other, and trying to create that warm, welcoming atmosphere, there are more decisions involved than I initially thought. If you’re in the same boat, I’ve put together some key tips that helped me along the way.
1. Think About Function First
Start by considering what each area needs in terms of lighting. Here are a few examples:
- Path Lighting: Lights along walkways and driveways improve safety and guide guests to your door.
- Security Lighting: Bright motion-sensor lights deter intruders and light up key access points.
- Ambient Lighting: Soft, warm lights around patios or verandas create a welcoming atmosphere.
- Accent Lighting: Spotlights or uplights can highlight landscaping, architectural features, or your favourite tree.
2. Choose the Right Style for Your Home
Your outdoor lighting should compliment the architectural style of your home. Here are some examples of types of lighting that compliment architectural styles:
- Traditional Homes: Lantern-style wall sconces or post lights with aged bronze or black finishes.
- Modern Homes: Sleek fixtures with clean lines in matte black, brushed steel, or architectural bronze.
- Coastal or Country Homes: Galvanized or weathered finishes, gooseneck barn lights, or rattan-covered pendants for a relaxed feel.
Match your lighting to existing hardware and the overall design language of your home’s exterior for a cohesive look.
I’ll be honest—I’ve been stuck on this step for quite a while. Our house doesn’t have a strong or distinct architectural style. It’s a post-war build with both rendered brick and weatherboard cladding, and it doesn’t lean clearly in any one direction. At first, that made decision-making a bit tricky. But as the renovation progressed, I began to see it as a real strength—it gave me the freedom to define the style myself. If you’ve been following along, you’ve probably noticed that we’ve landed on a Modern Brissie Cottage vibe with a little splash of maritime fun. This means our finishes and fixtures are chosen to suit the demands of our climate, but with a soft nod to a modern cottage aesthetic—simple, timeless, and a little bit charming.
Goose neck barn lights are a perfect choice for coastal, cottage or farmhouse style exteriors.
Lanterns are a beautiful choice for traditional homes.
3. Pay Attention to Placement and Scale
A common mistake is choosing lights that are too small to make an impact, especially at the front of the home. As a general guide, exterior wall lights by your entry should be around one-third to one-quarter the height of your front door, and positioned at eye level—roughly 1.7–1.8m from the ground.
That said, smaller-scale lights absolutely have their place. Around pools, garden paths, or outer walls, I recommend using low-profile wall lights that offer a soft, ambient glow without overpowering the space. Look for styles with downward-facing light, which helps reduce glare and light spill—especially important near water. Simple cylinder sconces, half-moon shapes, or subtle flush round lights in finishes like black, bronze or antique brass work well here and should subtly echo the style of your feature lights without competing with them.
This is where I am leaning into more affordable, scaled-down options that still tie in tonally with our main fixtures. They're perfect for adding that warm, welcoming wash of light around the pool area and along the sides of the house—just enough to create atmosphere without stealing the show.
Finally, for patios or pergolas, consider unique pendant lights to create a layered and inviting effect, especially around areas suited to outdoor dining.
Sanford Sign LightSource: Amber Interiors
Mira Nautical Pendant LightSource: Lord Nelson4. Use Warm White Light for a Cozy Glow
Outdoor spaces feel more inviting with warm white light—usually around 2700K to 3000K. This mimics the golden tones of sunset and soft candlelight, which is perfect for evenings outdoors.
Cooler tones (4000K+) can feel harsh and are best reserved for task lighting or security purposes.
5. Go for Weather-Resistant, Low Maintenance Fixtures
Not all outdoor lighting is created equally. Let me say it even more clearly - there is a lot of crappy outdoor lighting out there. Now I get it, we all have budgets to consider but if you want your outdoor lighting to maintain its lustre and appear anything like it looked when you unboxed it, do not skimp, especially on your feature lights. Outdoor lighting needs to withstand the elements. At a minimum your outdoor lighting should be rated IP44 or higher.
At Wovenwood, we offer a full range of outdoor lighting designed to handle the Australian climate—without compromising on style. All of our outdoor lighting is rated between IP54 - IP65 and is made of solid brass. From classic sconces to modern wall lights and garden accents, our exclusive collection makes it easy to elevate your exterior spaces.
Final Thought
Whether you're greeting guests at the front door, enjoying dinner under the stars, or showcasing a beautiful garden feature, the right outdoor lighting brings your space to life. It strikes the perfect balance between function and ambience—enhancing your home's personality while making it more practical and inviting. Outdoor living is central to the Aussie lifestyle, so don’t overlook the impact lighting can have. It not only boosts your home’s curb appeal but also transforms the entire atmosphere of your outdoor space.
A great option for a smaller profile feature light.
Outdoor Pendants
Portroe Outdoor Lantern Pendant IP65
$4,990.00
Drawing inspiration from traditional candle lantern styles, the Portroe is reimagined for modern settings while embracing its historical roots. We love this lantern used for a show stopping moment in a covered exterior entry. This item is made to order.… read more
Mira Nautical Pendant Light IP65
$1,590.00
The Mira Nautical Pendant Light has a distinct maritime feel with its metal shade and nautical-style brass enclosure. It is rated IP65 and can be installed in most bathroom and outdoor locations. It's distinct character makes it a perfect feature… read more
Tahiti Rope Pendant IP65
$1,390.00
The Tahiti jute rope pendant light has a distinctive design that adds a rustic flair to interiors. A 1.5 metre length of rope descends from a brass ceiling rose, holding a vintage brass lamp shade. This distinctive light fixture is… read more
Outdoor Wall Lights
Darya Swan Neck Wall Light IP65
$1,490.00
Designed to cast a soft ambient light over a wide area, the Darya Swan Neck Wall Light offers a contemporary and industrial touch to any space. This weather-proof wall light features a shallow brass shade attached to a distinct curved… read more
Lana Up/Down Outdoor Wall Light IP65
$890.00
With its sleek cylindrical silhouette, the Lana wall light casts a gentle glow from both ends, creating an inviting, layered ambiance. Whether gracing a patio or framing a bathroom mirror, the Lana wall light can imbue every corner with a… read more
Nerissa Swan Neck Wall Light IP65
$1,490.00
The Nerissa Swan Neck Wall Light combines vintage charm with a minimalist brass shade. It features a curved brass swan neck arm that elevates its elegance, adding intrigue to its simple conical shade. We recommend an Edison-style filament bulb to… read more
Outdoor Flush Lighting
Muara Outdoor Wall Light IP65
$599.00
Practical and functional, the Muara Outdoor Wall Light adds a nautical charm to your home and can be used as a wall or ceiling fitting both indoors or outdoors. It has a IP64 rating, which means it has a strong… read more
Begawan Outdoor Wall Light IP65
$599.00
Practical and functional, the Begawan outdoor wall light can be used both indoors or outdoors. It has a IP64 rating, which means it has a strong water resistance and could be used both outdoors and in bathrooms. Made of solid… read more
Wade Outdoor Brass Spotlight IP54
$899.00
The Wade Outdoor Brass Spotlight is a simple yet stylish spotlight that embraces a vintage-style charm. Its exterior brass casing is rounded on the front with a flat back. This curved design gives this spotlight a subtle femininity, making it… read more
