Most homes benefit from three layers: wall-mounted fixtures (like sconces or lanterns) at entries and garage doors for welcome and security, landscape lighting along walkways and garden beds for safety and curb appeal, and flood or spot lights for broader coverage around driveways and dark corners. A well-lit exterior uses a mix — relying on a single porch light leaves most of your property in the dark.

Damp-rated fixtures can handle moisture and humidity but not direct water contact — they're suitable for covered porches, patios, and soffits. Wet-rated fixtures are built to withstand direct rain, snow, and sprinkler spray, making them the right choice for any uncovered or fully exposed location. Using the wrong rating shortens the fixture's life and can create a safety hazard.

Measure the height of the area next to where the fixture will mount — usually the space between the door frame and the roofline or soffit. The fixture should be roughly one-third to one-quarter that height. For example, if you have 8 feet of wall space beside your front door, a lantern in the 24 to 30 inch range will look proportional. Fixtures flanking a garage door can be slightly smaller since they're supporting players, not the focal point.

In almost every case, yes. LED outdoor fixtures use a fraction of the energy, last significantly longer than incandescent or halogen options, and perform better in cold weather. For landscape lighting especially, LED has become the standard — the long lifespan means far less maintenance swapping out buried or hard-to-reach fixtures. Just pay attention to color temperature: 2700K to 3000K gives a warm, residential feel, while anything above 4000K can look commercial or harsh from the street.