Welcome to our ongoing home exterior transformation! Like many homeowners, we’ve realized that the small details can make a monumental difference in a property’s overall curb appeal and functionality. Our journey begins with a common culprit: outdated and undersized exterior lighting. It’s an element often overlooked, yet it plays a crucial role in both aesthetics and safety. Join us as we tackle the challenge of upgrading our outdoor light fixtures, starting with the often-neglected back door and moving towards our expansive garage area.
Our initial focus was the exterior light situated outside the back door on our garage. This particular fixture, as seen in the “before” shot below, was undeniably modest, bordering on minuscule. It offered little in the way of illumination or style, making our entire back entrance feel rather uninspired. Adding to the visual disarray was the grimy, moss-kissed green brick wall, which loudly signaled its need for a thorough cleaning. It was clear that this corner of our home was crying out for a comprehensive refresh, with the lighting being a primary concern.
Addressing the Back Door Dilemma: Kicking Off Our Exterior Lighting Renovation
Beyond the lacklustre light, the back door itself presented its own set of challenges. It bore the marks of its former life, having previously hosted a rusty, notoriously loud storm door. This wasn’t just a gentle creak or a soft thud; it was a door that announced its presence with a bang so jarring it could startle the neighborhood. Once we removed this offending storm door, we were left with some trim damage and a rather worn-out appearance. Our plan is to meticulously repair the trim, then prime and paint the door a crisp white. This will not only refresh the look but also ensure it perfectly matches the newly updated door leading to our veranda, a project we recently completed.
With the overall vision for the back entrance taking shape, our attention firmly returned to the existing light fixture. Its diminutive size and evident weather wear made the decision to upgrade an easy one. The real challenge, however, lay in selecting its replacement. Shopping for exterior lighting isn’t something we do regularly – in fact, we’ve probably purchased only three outdoor lights in the past seven years! This infrequent need meant we were somewhat out of practice, making the selection process more daunting than anticipated. Our initial attempts to find the perfect fixture involved visiting local lighting outlets and various big-box home improvement stores. Despite hours spent browsing, nothing truly resonated or “screamed perfection” at us. Frustrated but not defeated, Sherry took the hunt online, navigating through countless websites in search of ideal exterior lighting solutions.
The Quest for the Perfect Outdoor Light Fixture: Online Exploration and Mood Boards
Sherry’s online quest was a marathon of clicking, often resulting in an overwhelming number of open browser tabs – so many, in fact, that it led to two browser crashes! Yet, her persistence paid off. After about an hour of dedicated searching, she had curated a list of eight strong contenders, each offering a distinct style and potential for enhancing our home’s exterior:
- Black Lantern ($69): This classic black lantern, inspired by elegant designs seen on Pinterest here, offered a timeless appeal that we felt would complement our home’s traditional architecture. Its strong lines promised a significant visual presence.
- Seeded Glass Lantern ($75): Found here, this transitional black lantern with seeded glass added a touch of vintage charm. The textured glass would diffuse light beautifully, creating a warm and inviting glow.
- Outdoor Wall Lantern ($87): Another promising option from Overstock here, this Kent Black lantern featured a more ornate design, suggesting a sophisticated upgrade.
- X-Lantern ($37): This transitional light here stood out with its distinctive “X” detailing, offering a slightly more contemporary take on the classic lantern while remaining budget-friendly.
- Bronze Cross-Cross Sconce ($35): A rustic bronze wall sconce by Nuvo Adams here, this option introduced a different finish and a more solid, traditional form.
- Bronze Lantern ($79): This particular bronze lantern, a strong contender for Sherry, offered a sleek and elegant profile that she felt would elevate the space significantly.
- Antique Copper Wall Light ($219): While stunning and purely “eye candy,” this antique copper wall light was considerably above our set budget. We included it for inspiration, appreciating its unique finish and craftsmanship.
- Bronze Lantern ($117): Another bronze option, this lantern was larger and more commanding than its $79 counterpart, making it a serious consideration for its impressive presence.
Making the Decision: A Sale and a Compromise for the Perfect Fixture
Even with a carefully curated mood board showcasing our top contenders, that elusive “eureka moment” still hadn’t arrived. We needed to see these fixtures in person, to gauge their true scale and finish. So, we ventured back to the lighting aisles of Home Depot and Lowe’s, and that’s when fate intervened. We discovered that Option #1, the classic black lantern, had gone on sale, bringing its price down to a very appealing $59. This was my personal favorite all along, and the price drop solidified its appeal. Sherry, while initially drawn to the significantly smaller Option #6, listened to my argument. We were specifically looking for an exterior light that would be “large and in charge,” something with a substantial visual presence. Option #1 was not only the second largest among our picks but also one of the three most affordable. After a thoughtful “hold on I’m thinking” pause, Sherry agreed. Into our cart it went, destined to transform our back entrance.
DIY Outdoor Light Installation: A Step-by-Step Guide for Homeowners
Installing the new outdoor light fixture was a straightforward process, much like replacing any other standard electrical fixture. However, prioritizing safety and understanding the basics are key for any DIY enthusiast. Here’s how we tackled the installation, ensuring a smooth and successful upgrade:
- Step 1: Prioritize Safety – Turn Off the Power. Before touching any wires, the absolute first and most critical step is to turn off the power to the fixture at your home’s main circuit breaker. Double-check with a non-contact voltage tester to confirm the power is indeed off. This ensures your safety throughout the installation.
- Step 2: Carefully Remove the Old Fixture. Once power is off, begin by carefully unscrewing and removing the old light fixture from the wall. Take a moment to observe how the wires are connected – typically, there will be a black (hot) wire, a white (neutral) wire, and a bare copper or green (ground) wire. If this is your first time, or even if it’s not, snapping a quick photo with your phone can be an invaluable reference. Detach the old wires, ensuring they don’t fall back into the wall box.
- Step 3: Connect the New Fixture’s Wiring. Now, it’s time to connect your new exterior light. Following the same pattern you observed with the old fixture (or referencing your photo), connect the new fixture’s wires to the corresponding house wires using appropriate wire nuts. Black to black, white to white, and ground to ground. Ensure all connections are secure and tight.
- Step 4: Mount the New Fixture to the House. Gently tuck all the connected wires neatly into the electrical box in the wall. Position the new fixture’s backplate against the wall, aligning it with the mounting holes. Use the provided screws to securely fasten the light to the house. Make sure it’s level and flush against the wall for a professional finish.
- Step 5: Restore Power and Test. With the fixture securely installed, return to your circuit breaker and turn the power back on. Immediately test the new light to ensure it’s connected correctly and functioning as expected. Enjoy the instant gratification of your upgraded outdoor lighting!
The installation of our new outdoor light went incredibly smoothly, taking little time and effort. The immediate visual impact was undeniable; even with the unaddressed issues of the door and the green wall, the improvement was striking. The new light, larger and free from rust, instantly elevated the appearance of this entire entrance. It transitioned from a forgettable detail to a noticeable feature, hinting at the potential of the space.
You might be wondering if I’m exaggerating the difference in size, but trust me, the “before and after” speaks for itself. To truly appreciate the dramatic upgrade, take a look at this side-by-side comparison. The old fixture pales in comparison to the new one, which boasts a substantial presence and a robust design that commands attention.
We absolutely prefer an outdoor fixture that makes a statement, one that adds significant visual weight and character to our home’s exterior. This new lantern perfectly achieves that goal. Imagine this space completely transformed: a freshly painted door, the bricks sparkling clean and free of green grime, a welcoming mat, and perhaps some vibrant plants flanking the entrance. It’s a vision that requires imagination, as we acknowledge there’s still a considerable journey ahead for this particular area of our home.
This particular shot captures the essence of the upgrade most effectively, beautifully showcasing the impressive size and traditional silhouette of our new outdoor light. We strongly believe this style is perfectly suited to the exterior aesthetic of our house, a sentiment reinforced by similar lights we’ve admired on our neighbors’ homes and inspiration drawn from photos like this one of an outdoor space. At one point, I even considered these lanterns for “The Veranda Formerly Known As The Sunroom” – a space where we’re currently seeking four sconces for eye-level lighting on the posts. However, after holding them up, it became clear they didn’t quite fit the desired look for that area, so our hunt for veranda lighting continues.
Just one more “after” photo of this splendid new fixture, taken during a rather unexpected encounter. As I stepped outside to capture this image, I opened the door to find a small herd of deer grazing peacefully right outside! Predictably, they scattered the moment they spotted me, disappearing into the background as quickly as they appeared.
Though they initially fled, the deer didn’t venture far, still making a subtle appearance in the distant background of this next picture. It was a brief, charming interruption to our home improvement photography session.
As I cautiously moved a little closer, they responded with that classic “deer staredown,” their eyes fixed on me from afar. For those captivated by my impromptu wildlife photography skills – or perhaps just fans of a good “Where’s Waldo: Deer Edition” challenge – you might enjoy a previous post on Young House Life dedicated to our local deer encounters.
Extending the Upgrade: The Main Garage Light Challenge
Apologies for the brief detour into wildlife, but let’s refocus on our primary subject: lights! Naturally, our back door isn’t the only area on our property in need of an exterior lighting overhaul. We also have another wall-mounted fixture located above our main garage doors. Much like its counterpart at the back, this light was showing considerable signs of wear and tear, and also suffered from being noticeably undersized for such a large expanse of wall.
Given the success and satisfaction with the new fixture at the back door, we decided to purchase a second, identical lantern to install above the main garage doors. Our hope was to achieve a cohesive look and a similar dramatic upgrade. However, upon installation, the results were a little less impactful than we had envisioned.
While it was certainly pleasant to have a sparkling new light in place – and the Oil Rubbed Bronze (ORB) finish undeniably commanded more attention than the rusty gold of the old fixture – its size didn’t translate into the same significant improvement when juxtaposed against the two massive garage doors. The sheer scale of the garage wall and the doors themselves seemed to diminish the light’s presence. (For visualization purposes, we plan to paint these garage doors black or charcoal in the future, which might impact the overall perception.) And yes, the concrete driveway pad below is another area covered in green grime that demands our attention. Yeehaw, I can practically smell the power-washer in our near future!
The light itself isn’t terrible, but it’s not quite the grand statement we were hoping for. Against the expansive brick wall and flanked by those imposing garage doors, it appears somewhat lost. We must admit to feeling a touch of defeat, especially considering that this very fixture was among the largest of all the options Sherry had meticulously compiled on her mood board (it measures approximately 19 inches high, with the absolute largest and most expensive option being only 20 inches). Update: We have exciting future plans for this side of the house, including a pergola planned for over the double garage. Additionally, we eventually intend to add shutters to all the windows on the side and back of our house, as highlighted on Listy McListerson. These significant architectural additions will undoubtedly influence how this light fixture integrates into the overall design.
The Big Question: Keep or Return? Seeking Community Advice
We find ourselves at a crossroads with this particular garage light. Part of us believes we should simply keep it for the time being, reserving final judgment until we’ve completed other planned improvements to the garage side of the house, such as painting the garage doors. The hope is that once these other elements are in place, the light will appear more integrated and impactful. However, another part of us argues that if we don’t truly love it now, we shouldn’t settle. We could return it and continue our search for an outdoor lighting solution that truly excites us and complements the scale of the garage, avoiding potential future regrets.
So, we turn to you, our community! What are your thoughts? Would you advise us to keep this light, trusting that future renovations will help it shine, or should we return it in pursuit of something more perfectly suited? Do you have any recommendations for alternative places to look for large-scale exterior lighting, beyond local lighting shops, Lowe’s, Home Depot, or Overstock? Your insights and suggestions are invaluable as we continue our quest for the ideal home exterior.