Light up your home’s entryway this Fall with an outdoor LED light fixture. Whether it’s for safety, reliability or just style, it's always the perfect time of year to think about updating your entryway light.
There's a checklist to follow when shopping for LED entryway lighting and I'll walk you through it.
A light fixture by an entry door is an essential design element for a safe and welcoming home. As our daylight hours are shrinking and kids are coming home later from after-school activities, that entry door becomes more like a revolving door of busyness. Updating to a reliable and efficient entryway light might become even more important.
As you start shopping for your new LED entryway light, let’s break down the technical features so you know what to look for. We'll look at the first three today and then review the rest in follow up posts
1. Reliability
2. Color Temperature
3. Style
4. Security
5. Dark Sky Light
6. Up And Down Light
7. Solar Light
8. Dimming
9. Wet Rated
The Hickory Point outdoor LED light has a bronze finish and frosted cream glass, with an output of 1,300 lumens which is equivalent to a 100-watt incandescent light bulb.
It’s available in sizes from 12, 15, and 19 inches, so you can pick a size that works for front, back or side doors.
Reliability
Whenever I’m asked why LED light fixtures and light bulbs, my reason is reliability. This is especially important in places where it’s difficult to replace light bulbs (high ceilings), or in places like an entryway where it becomes a safety issues.
LED's are my favorite for entryway lighting since there’s no need to worry about the LED light bulb burning out for 20+ years.
Color Temperature
Remember to choose the fixture that is right for you and what you want to illuminate. Everyone has a different opinion about what color of light (color temperature) is best for their home.
You've heard friends say things like: ‘That light is too blue,’ or ‘Those new light bulbs give off a yellow light that makes everything look weird.’ While those comments are completely justified, it’s not a reason to cast-off LED light bulbs all together. You just have to know what temperature (color) is right for you.
When shopping for LED lights, you should know this - The lower the temperature, the warmer the light.
The color temperature of sunlight is about 5500K and it ranges all the way down to the low temperature of candlelight at about 1000K.
Hard to visualize? Think about the filters we use on Instagram and photo editing programs, you can change the ‘white balance’ on an image to see how images look a little bit warmer or cooler.
Style
While specifications can narrow a search for the perfect outdoor LED wall light, style is still an important factor when choosing between the final options.
Luckily, the selection of outdoor LED light fixtures offers such a range of style choices. I’ll be surprised if you can’t find the perfect look for your home’s entryway.
A. LBL Zari 11" High Silver LED Outdoor Wall Light B. Dwell Country Rust 13 3/4" High LED Outdoor Wall Light C. Pier 60 Bronze 14 1/2" High LED Outdoor Wall Light
A. Lighting is often described as jewelry in a home, and this fixture is spot-on. A silver finish, the wall sconce has sophisticated detailing. And it’s dimmable!
B. If you're going for a more rustic, industrial look, this LED light might be for you. It has a country rust finish, and looks more like art than a traditional fixture. With 800 lumens (comparable to a 60-watt incandescent) it gives off enough light to make it functional. And it’s dimmable!
C. Outdoor wall lights don’t have to be lanterns or have a security-style look to them. This LED light fixture has a geometric pattern that adds visual interest to your entryway.
Stay tuned for our next post where we discuss more elements to look for when choosing LED lighting....
Image credits: My Fix It Up Life