How to Choose Exterior Lanterns

How to choose exterior lanterns is one of the most frequent questions I’m asked when consulting with clients on their homes. There are so many factors to consider — including scale, finish, and overall style. I’ve compiled this go-to guide — enjoy! 

1. When in doubt about your lantern style or what to shop for, a good rule of thumb is to play to the architectural style of your home. Whether your house is modern or traditional, or even as specific as French or Gothic, your home’s style can be one of the first, most simple nods to your lantern’s overall look and feel. 

2. Always consider scale. Nothing is worse than choosing a lantern that’s too small for its location. Lanterns at an entry should announce that this is the primary entrance.  When in doubt, see if you can have a full scale printout made from your manufacturer. If that’s not an option, just blue tape it out to be sure. One could err on the side of larger here. 

3. When making decisions about exterior lanterns, clients often ask me about gas vs. electric.  This really depends on the ambiance you want to create and the function of the lanterns. Are you lighting for parking or a secondary entrance? Perhaps then, one could consider electric for these scenarios. If you end up going with electric, be sure to have a dimmer installed, so you can tailor your lighting needs to a specific event, holiday, or mood.  Nothing is more welcoming on a cold winter night than a pair of flickering gas lanterns flanking your front door. They instantly set a mood. 

4. The finish of your fixtures is key to getting lanterns to feel like a part of your home and its architecture.  You really cannot go wrong with a classic copper that will patina and age over time. Otherwise, natural metal finishes are best. Old iron or even aged steel can still give depth and permanence to your lighting choices depending on your lantern’s overall style. The finish of the lantern does not necessarily have to match the hardware of your home; however, its feel and style should be consistent with other decorative and architectural selections throughout. 

5. This tip goes back to the issue of scale.  The location of a lantern on your home will determine how much importance it gets. For example, you would not use the same size lantern at the entry that you would perhaps on a second floor balcony. I’d suggest a size smaller for these lesser locations. Larger works better in a more prominent architectural location.