Outdoor wall light

Start by choosing the protection rating according to how exposed the wall is: IP65 for an uncovered facade or terrace, IP54 under a canopy, IP44 for a wall only protected from splashes. This collection brings together outdoor wall lights in aluminium, mostly black or white, tube-shaped, with integrated LED or bulb. The rest comes down to the socket, the beam direction and the finish.

What is the best outdoor wall light?

There is no single best outdoor wall light: everything depends on the wall's exposure, the protection rating, the socket and the beam direction. This selection is made up mostly of aluminium wall lights, black or white, in IP54 or IP65, with integrated LED, E27 or GU10 socket. No ranking can replace real-world use.

The deciding criteria: sealing, socket, direction, material

The order of decision is always the same. First look at where the wall is exposed, because that sets the IP rating. Then choose the type of light, integrated LED or bulb, which determines whether the colour temperature stays fixed or can be changed. Finally decide on the beam direction and the material, aluminium being the most widespread base in the catalogue. To compare the families with each other, browse all our outdoor wall lights and their ranking by use.

Single or double beam outdoor wall light

A single model projects light downwards or towards the wall, which is enough for a corridor, a passage or a house number. A double beam lights up and down, or on both sides: useful on either side of a wide entrance, where a single source would leave one side in shadow. The black double beam outdoor wall light illustrates this case, in aluminium and IP54.

Which protection rating for a watertight outdoor wall light?

For an uncovered facade or terrace, an IP65 rating is the safest: it blocks dust and resists water jets. An IP54 is suitable under a canopy or a covered terrace, an IP44 for a wall only protected from splashes. The rating appears on each model's specification sheet.

IP54 or IP65: what difference on an exposed facade?

Both protect against dust. IP54 withstands splashes from all directions, which covers driving rain under a roof overhang. IP65 adds resistance to water jets, so to jet washing and full exposure. On a wall with no protection above, at the seaside or facing driving winds, it is the latter you should aim for.

Under a canopy, is IP44 enough?

Yes, if the wall stays sheltered by a roof overhang or a small canopy: the wall light then only receives splashes. As soon as wind drives rain against the facade, go up a level. IP44 remains the smallest share of this selection, keep it for a porch or a covered passage. A well-protected designer wall light lasts for years outdoors.

LED or bulb outdoor wall light: which light for which situation?

An integrated LED wall light provides light without a bulb to replace and keeps a compact format. E27 socket models accept the bulb of your choice, GU10 models direct a precise beam, G4 models equip wall lights with several light points. As for colour temperature, warm white 2700-3500K largely dominates this selection.

LED outdoor wall light: what an integrated LED brings

Nothing to buy for years, a slimmer housing and an already calibrated colour temperature: integrated LED simplifies maintenance. It suits a facade where you want to switch on every evening without thinking about it. Integrated LED models make up the majority of this selection, often between 6 and 10 W. The downside: when the source ages, the whole luminaire is replaced.

E27, GU10 or G4: which socket to choose?

E27 leaves you free on power and colour temperature, from warm white to cool white. GU10 projects a narrow beam onto a step or a wall. G4 equips small wall lights with several light points, such as Eior, wall light in metal and glass.

Designer outdoor wall light: black or white, what mood for the facade?

Black remains the most common finish: it fades into a light wall and lets the light do the work. White blends into a light render and shows less contrast, while brown and bronze warm up an old facade. Tube shapes dominate, followed by square and round ones.

Country chic wall light: which model for a house with character?

On a house with character, you look for a country chic wall light that accompanies the stone or render without competing with it: discreet lantern, patinated metal, bronze or brown rather than glossy black. A model in metal and glass, such as Eior and its metal structure, gives this soft effect. Avoid overly technical lines on an old facade.

Black, white or brown outdoor wall light: matching the render

On a light render, black draws a crisp silhouette and highlights the light. White and grey almost disappear, which suits facades where you only want to see the halo. Brown and bronze go well with stone, brick and wooden joinery. White wall lights and black finishes together cover the largest share of the catalogue, with metal wall lights bringing a rawer effect.

Outdoor wall light with motion sensor or solar: what to plan for?

The twilight sensor, present on one reference in the selection, switches the wall light on at dusk. Motion detection and solar power are not standard: they must be stated on the product sheet before purchase, otherwise the model is controlled by a switch or a timer.

Outdoor wall light with sensor: twilight or motion?

The twilight sensor switches on in the evening and off in the morning, with no intervention: perfect for an entrance you do not want to leave dark. Motion detection, on the other hand, triggers on movement, which saves light but requires adjusting range and delay. Check the mention on the sheet: it is not general, it is specific to each model.

Solar outdoor wall light: for which wall and which use?

The solar wall light suits a clear wall, exposed to daylight for several hours, and for supplementary use: marking a path, ambient lighting on a terrace, with no cable to run. Under a deep porch or on a north-facing facade, recharging will be too weak. Wired models remain the majority, with integrated LED or a socket.

Where to place an outdoor wall light: entrance, terrace, staircase?

An outdoor wall light is placed at eye level, on either side of the front door, or at the bottom and top of an outdoor staircase. The beam is directed downwards or towards the wall to avoid glare. A double beam model lights both sides of the entrance.

At what height should you install an outdoor wall light?

Allow about one metre seventy from the ground, roughly eye level, and align the two wall lights of an entrance at the same height. Under a canopy, place them higher to light the door without glare. On a terrace, a lower height, around two metres, gives a more intimate halo along the wall.

Lighting a staircase or a path with a wall light

For an outdoor staircase, place one wall light at the bottom of the flight and one at the top, beam directed at the steps, never in line with the eyes. A path is marked out with low-beam models, evenly spaced. Indoors, the approach is the same: see how to light a staircase with wall points.

How to install and maintain an outdoor wall light?

Installation follows three steps: switch off the power at the circuit breaker, connect live, neutral and earth, then fix the housing and check the seal. A soft cloth is enough for maintenance. The warranty period is stated on each product sheet.

Step-by-step fitting: switch off the power, connect, seal

Switch off at the circuit breaker and check there is no voltage. Connect live, neutral and earth to the terminal block, then fix the housing to the wall using plugs suited to the surface, brick, stone or concrete. Finish with the seal and the diffuser: that is what maintains the stated IP rating. A compact model such as Scope and its compact format is quick to fit on a flat wall.

Maintenance and warranty: what is covered

Dust the diffuser with a soft cloth, without abrasive products, and check the seal after the first season outdoors. Also check that water does not pool in the lower part. The warranty covers 2 years on some references and 5 years on others, stated on each sheet. Baker Street in aluminium and Bowery, white wall light are among the models with a long warranty.

Peaceful purchase at Designix: secure payment, tracked delivery, accepted returns and customer service to check an IP rating or a dimension before ordering. Choose your model according to the wall's exposure, then confirm the technical sheet: the Designix lighting catalogue groups all the families, and the affordable models let you equip both sides of an entrance without choosing the wrong protection level.

Outdoor wall light or indoor wall light: which collection should you go to?

This page covers outdoor. For a living room, a bedroom, a toilet or an indoor staircase, indoor wall lights, bohemian chic style models and more original pieces are found in the dedicated collections, to which the links below point.

Living room, toilet or hallway wall light: the indoor models

Indoors, the protection rating is no longer the first criterion: you choose on light and style. A living room wall light is placed on either side of a sofa or a mirror, a bathroom wall light is reserved for damp rooms via models for damp rooms, and indoor wall lighting covers the rest of the house.

Bohemian chic wall light and original pieces: where to look for them

Round, ball or oval shapes, and golden finishes, are outside the register of black outdoor tubes. They are found among round wall lights, ball models and glass models, more dressed up. For a bedroom, look instead at modern wall lights.

Frequently asked questions