Front door lighting

Size the fitting to the door

• A pair of wall lights: Go a little smaller, about 25cm to 35cm tall for a standard 2,1m door. Two lights share the job, so neither needs to shout.
• One wall light: Go bold with something about 40cm to 45cm tall, and put it on the handle and lock side, where you'll be fumbling for keys.
• Between two sizes: Go for the bigger one, every time. Fittings always look smaller from the street than they do in your hands.

Mount at eye level

Centre each fitting about 1,5m to 1,7m above the floor of your stoep or step. At this height the light sits just above eye level, so it lights faces without shining straight into anyone's eyes. On a taller door, move the fittings up so they stay in proportion.

Choose soft, indirect light

• Brightness: Brighter isn't better; it just adds glare. You'll be standing right next to these lights, so gentle wins.
• Direction: Pick fittings that diffuse the light, or send it down onto the step and the door. You see more, and your neighbours aren't squinting at your porch.
• Colour: Warm white (2700K to 3000K) says "welcome home" best. Keep the colour the same in every fitting, so the entrance looks planned, not patched together.

Add light from above

Under a covered entrance, an outdoor ceiling light lights the whole landing evenly, which helps when your hands are full. If possible, choose designs from the same family as your wall lights, so the entrance looks cohesive. Or, for a cleaner look, choose an outdoor-rated downlight that blends into the ceiling and casts a soft pool of light onto the landing.

Let your lights switch themselves

• Day/night sensor switches: They switch the light on at sunset and off at sunrise, so you'll never come home to a dark door again.
• Motion sensors: The light switches on or brightens as someone walks up. Handy when your hands are full, and it saves power and adds security too.