A well-placed outdoor light does three things at once: it lets you walk safely to the front door, it keeps your driveway and garden visible, and it makes your home cosy in the evening. A badly placed light dazzles your neighbours, leaves dark corners or fails after a single winter. In this article I walk you through everything, from the front door to the garden path and from floodlight to carport: which light goes where, at what height, how much light, which IP rating and how to connect it safely.
In short
- Wall light by the front door: at a height of 1.80 to 2 metres, at least IP44 under a canopy and IP65 if it can get wet.
- Floodlight for driveway and garden: at 2.5 to 4 metres, angled 30 to 45 degrees downwards, 2,000 to 4,000 lumens.
- Carport: about 200 lumens per m², cool white 4000K and IP44 or better. For a 3 × 6 metre carport, 3,000 to 4,000 lumens is enough.
- Garden: warm white 2700 to 3000K, IP65 or higher, and bury 230V cables deep enough. If in doubt, play it safe with 12V.
- Always: 230V outdoors via a residual current device (RCD) and waterproof connections.
Already know what you're looking for? Jump straight to the right lights:
Step 1: make a plan with zones
Before you buy a light, walk around your house in the dark with a torch. Where do you almost trip? Where is the light missing? Divide your property into zones and decide for each zone what the light has to do. The front door and driveway call for functional light, the patio and garden for atmosphere. Measure the distances and check where you have power or can run it. A sketch on paper with the light positions and cable routes saves you a lot of hassle later.
| Zone | Light type | Height | Light (guideline) | Colour |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Front door | Wall light, possibly two symmetrically | 1.80 to 2 m | 300 to 600 lumens per light | Warm white to neutral white |
| Driveway and yard | Floodlight, preferably with sensor | 2.5 to 4 m | 2,000 to 4,000 lumens | Cool white or neutral white |
| Carport | Wall fitting or ceiling fitting | Ceiling or 2.2 to 2.5 m | Approx. 200 lumens per m² | Cool white 4000K |
| Garden path | Bollard light or ground spot, every 2 to 3 m | Low, up to 40 cm | Limited, as much as needed | Warm white 2700 to 3000K |
| Patio | Wall light, standing light or string lights | Wall 1.80 to 2.20 m | Dimmable, 100 to 300 lumens per light | Warm white 2700K |
| Plants and trees | Spike spot or uplight | Ground level | Directed, 100 to 300 lumens | Warm white |
Wall lights by the front door and on the facade
Ideally you hang a wall light next to the front door at a height of 1.80 to 2 metres. That way the light falls on your visitor's face and on the doorway without dazzling. With a wide front door, hang a light on both sides for symmetrical light. Run the wiring behind the wall so you don't see any cables. An up-down light casts a beam of light upwards and downwards and highlights your facade at the same time.
Which IP rating? If the light hangs under a canopy, IP44 is the minimum. If it stands in the rain or can get wet from the garden hose, choose IP65. The explanation of what those numbers mean can be found in IP ratings explained: IP20, IP44, IP65 and IK08.
Square outdoor light, double GU10 socketBlack, IP65, for two GU10 spots (bulb sold separately)View ›
Outdoor light Loreto, 9W500 lumens, cool white 4000K, IP54, blackView ›
All outdoor wall lights › · All facade lights ›
Floodlights for driveway, yard and garden
You hang an LED floodlight higher, at 2.5 to 4 metres, so that it lights up a large area. Aim it downwards at an angle of 30 to 45 degrees. That gives you an even beam without the light shining in the eyes of passers-by or neighbours. For a driveway or patio, choose 2,000 to 4,000 lumens. Mount it firmly on the facade or on a pole and choose at least IP65. A beam angle of 120 degrees lights up a wide area, while 90 degrees gives a narrower beam for a long driveway.
Tip: look at the lumens, not at the wattage of an old halogen lamp. A 30 W LED floodlight with 3,000 lumens replaces a halogen of about 250 W. More on this in What is a lumen?.
LED floodlight 20W, 2,000 lumensWarm white 3000K, 120°, IP66, 230VView ›
LED floodlight 30W, 3,000 lumensWarm white 3000K, 120°, IP66, 230VView ›
Lighting a carport and canopy
A carport is half open and exposed to rain, wind and damp. So choose at least IP44 (splash-proof). IP65 is better, especially if the sides are completely open. That way the fitting lasts longer and you run less risk of failures.
Calculation example: your carport is 3 × 6 metres, so 18 m². Allow for about 200 lumens per m². That is 18 × 200 = 3,600 lumens. Two fittings of 1,650 lumens each come close with 3,300 lumens. Add a third and you're at 4,950 lumens with a generous margin. Spread the lights along the length: at the entrance, halfway and at the end. That gives shadow-free light.
🧱 Wall mounting
Does your carport have a back wall? Mount wall fittings that shine downwards and forwards. Choose a wide beam of 120 degrees or more.
🏗️ Ceiling mounting
Without a back wall, you mount to the roof structure. Bulkheads, LED panels, surface-mounted spots or waterproof tube light fittings are ideal. Protect the wiring from damp.
For functional light, choose cool white 4000K: bright and safe. Warm white 3000K quickly feels too dim in a work area. Do you also use the carport for a barbecue or party? Then set up a second group with dimmable warm white light, so you have functional and atmospheric light in one space.
Oval LED bulkhead outdoor light, 15W1,650 lumens, cool white 4000K, IP66, 230VView ›
Floodlight with IR sensor, 20WCool white 4000K, 120°, IP65, switches automaticallyView ›
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Garden lighting: paths, plants and atmosphere
For your garden you usually choose warm white 2700 to 3000K. That creates a cosy atmosphere on the patio. Cool white 4000K quickly feels chilly in a garden and daylight white 6500K is too harsh. The exception is functional lighting at the front door or garage, where it can be cooler. Want flexibility? Then choose RGB garden lighting, where you can set any colour.
Paths and steps
For garden paths you use low bollard lights or ground spots. Place them every 2 to 3 metres along the path for even light. For steps, a small recessed spot in the side or riser works well, so that you can see the edge of each step.
Plants, trees and facade
Ground spots and spike spots are aimed upwards to accentuate trees or shrubs, or against the facade to emphasise the architecture. Don't place the spot too close to the object, so that you get a soft fall of light and not a harsh bright patch.
Solar flame lamp, set of 3Warm white, IP65, 51 cm, no cables neededView ›
Solar flame lamp, torch with flame simulationWarm white, solar powered, for garden or patioView ›
Which IP rating do you choose where?
Garden lighting has to cope with rain, frost, sun and wind. So don't skimp on the IP rating: it prevents failures and dangerous situations. Is a light hanging in full rain, or set in the ground? Then you want IP65 or higher. For ground spots and pond lighting that means IP67 or IP68.
Cables and connection: plan now, no regrets later
Spring is an ideal time to lay cables, before your garden is full of plants. Here are the most important rules:
- Use proper outdoor cable. It withstands damp and UV radiation.
- Bury 230V cables deep. About 60 cm underground, in a protective conduit or cable duct, prevents damage during gardening.
- Plan room for expansion. An extra conduit now is easier than digging later.
- Draw your cable route. That prevents you from accidentally digging through them.
- Consider 12V. Around water, children and pets, low voltage is safer. You will then need a power supply or transformer.
You connect all 230V outdoor lighting via a residual current device (RCD). Use waterproof junction boxes and make sure all connections are well insulated. Not sure? Have it done by a qualified installer. You can read more about the steps and tools in The Ultimate Guide to Installing LED Lighting.
Sensor, dusk switch or timer?
👁️ Motion sensor
The light comes on when you arrive and goes off after an adjustable time (often 1 to 10 minutes). Handy at the front door, carport or back entrance. Choose a sensor with adjustable sensitivity and range, so that not every cat switches the light on.
View lights with sensor ›🌙 Dusk switch
The light comes on when it gets dark and goes off in daylight. Ideal for atmosphere and path lighting that you don't want to forget to switch on.
⏱️ Timer or smart
With a timer or app you set the times yourself and can adjust the mood without going outside. Combine a dusk switch with a sensor for light only when it is dark and there is movement.
Floodlight with IR sensor, 30WDaylight white 6400K, 120°, IP65, replaces 300WView ›Floodlight with IR sensor, 20WCool white 4000K, 120°, IP65, replaces 200WView ›
Want to know everything about PIR, motion sensors and dusk switches? Then read LED Light with Sensor: How to Choose a PIR, Motion Sensor and Dusk Switch.
Solar or 230V: what suits where?
Solar outdoor lighting needs no wiring. You put it where you want it and you're done. That is ideal for a garden path, a fence or a spot without power. The downside is that the light output depends on sunlight and that it performs less well in winter. For a front door, driveway or carport where you always want light, 230V (or 12V) remains the most reliable choice. You can read when solar is worth it in Solar LED outdoor lighting: when is it worth it?.
All solar LED outdoor lighting ›
What does outdoor lighting cost in electricity?
LED outdoor lighting is so economical that you can happily leave it on every evening. A calculation example for an average house with a front door, driveway and carport:
| Light | Quantity | Power | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wall light front door | 2 | 5 W | 10 W |
| Floodlight driveway | 1 | 30 W | 30 W |
| Bulkhead carport | 2 | 15 W | 30 W |
| Total | 70 W |
If all of this burns for an average of 5 hours per evening, that is 70 W × 5 hours = 0.35 kWh per day, roughly 128 kWh per year. At an electricity price of 0.30 euros per kWh, that costs about 38 euros per year. With motion sensors the floodlight and carport lighting burn for a fraction of that time, so the actual cost is lower. This is a calculation example; your actual costs depend on your tariff and how long the lights burn.
Maintenance and checks
After installation, check that all the lights work properly and are firmly fixed. Clean the fittings a few times a year with a damp cloth so that the light output stays up to standard. Check every year whether the wiring is still intact and whether the seal of the light has cracked. LED lights last a long time, but sensors and switches sometimes have to be replaced after a few years. With good maintenance your outdoor lighting lasts 15 to 20 years.
Goes with this article
LED floodlight 30W, 3,000 lumensWarm white, IP66, 120°View ›LED bulkhead outdoor light, 15W1,650 lumens, IP66, cool whiteView ›
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Frequently asked questions
At what height do I hang an outdoor light next to the front door?
How many lumens do I need for my driveway?
Is IP44 enough for outdoor lighting?
Am I allowed to connect 230V outdoor lighting myself?
Which is better outdoors: warm white or cool white?
My outdoor light with sensor keeps switching on by itself. What now?
How long does LED outdoor lighting last?
Kind regards,
Bas / LEDPLANET.NL
Further reading
- LED Light with Sensor: How to Choose a PIR, Motion Sensor and Dusk Switch
- Solar LED outdoor lighting: when is it worth it?
- IP ratings explained: IP20, IP44, IP65 and IK08
- Garage lighting: which IP rating do you need?
- Choosing LED work lights: battery, 230V or hybrid?
- LED colour temperature: 2700K, 3000K, 4000K or 6500K?