Quick Answer
Outdoor wall packs light entrances, walls, walkways, loading areas, and building perimeters.
Outdoor Wall Pack Lighting Guide
Outdoor wall packs light entrances, walls, walkways, loading areas, and building perimeters. Size, style, output, shielding, CCT, controls, and wet-location rating should match the wall and the task.
What to Check First
- Measure mounting height, wall width, target area, and nearby windows or roads.
- Choose cutoff, semi-cutoff, adjustable, or full-cutoff style by glare and spill risk.
- Confirm photocell, motion, dimming, emergency, and wet-location requirements.
Application Decision Table
| Use Case | Practical Guidance |
|---|---|
| Entry door | Use comfortable output and glare control. |
| Loading area | Use durable housings and enough vertical visibility. |
| Perimeter wall | Use shielding and controls to avoid unnecessary spill. |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Choosing wall packs by wattage alone.
- Using unshielded fixtures near neighbors or drivers.
- Ignoring gasket, conduit, and corrosion exposure.
How to Choose the Right Outdoor Wall Pack
Wall packs light building perimeters, doors, loading areas, walkways, alleys, and security zones. The right size depends on mounting height, target area, fixture output, optics, cutoff style, glare limits, and whether the wall pack should light outward, downward, or both.
| Wall pack type | Best fit | Check first |
|---|---|---|
| Full cutoff | Downward light with better glare and uplight control. | Mounting height, forward throw, and dark-sky rules. |
| Semi cutoff | Broader building perimeter coverage. | Spill light and neighbor comfort. |
| Adjustable wall pack | Sites that need field aiming. | Locking angle, wet rating, and glare. |
| Mini wall pack | Doors, small walkways, and lower mounting heights. | Overlighting and face-level glare. |
More Details to Consider
Outdoor wall lighting can enhance the beauty, safety, and security of your outdoor spaces. Whether you want to illuminate your backyard, garden, patio, or driveway, you need to choose the right type of lighting and fixtures that suit your needs and preferences. Here are some guidelines to help you plan or upgrade your outdoor wall lighting. Four Types of Outdoor wall Lights to Be Considered.
For good outdoor lighting, it is important to incorporate the four basic types of lighting: • Ambient: This is the general lighting that provides overall illumination to your outdoor areas. You can achieve ambient lighting through post lights, wall lights, or hanging lights. • Task: This is the lighting that helps you perform specific tasks, such as reading, cooking, or working. You can achieve task lighting through security lights, deck lights, or spotlights. • Accent: This is the lighting that highlights certain features or creates a mood in your outdoor spaces.
You can achieve accent lighting through landscape lights, string lights, or lanterns. • Security: This lighting improves visibility around entries, paths, and vulnerable areas of the property. You can achieve security lighting through motion sensor lights, flood lights, or dusk to dawn lights. Always Consider Having LED Wall Lights.
LED wall lights are the best choice for outdoor wall lighting, as they offer many advantages over conventional lighting, such as: • High brightness and efficiency: LED lights produce more lumens per watt than incandescent or fluorescent lights, which means they deliver more light with less energy consumption. • Long lifespan and durability: LED lights last up to 50,000 hours or more, which means they need less frequent replacement and maintenance.
They also withstand harsh weather conditions and resist shock and vibration. • Eco-friendly and safe: LED lights do not contain mercury or other harmful substances that can pollute the environment. They also do not emit UV rays or infrared radiation that can damage your skin or eyes. • Versatile and customizable: LED lights come in various colors, shapes, and styles that can match any outdoor decor. They also have dimmable and programmable features that allow you to adjust the brightness and color temperature according to your preference.
Calculate How Much Light You Need on your walls. Before you start shopping for the outdoor LED wall lights, make sure to figure out how much lighting you need.
You can use a simple formula to estimate the amount of light you need for your outdoor spaces: • Multiply the area of your space (in square feet) by the desired illumination level (in foot-candles). • Divide the result by the luminous efficacy of your light source (in lumens per watt). • The final result is the total wattage you need for your outdoor lighting.
For example, if you want to light up a 100 square feet patio with a moderate illumination level of 10 foot-candles, and you are using LED lights with a luminous efficacy of 100 lumens per watt, you need: • 100 x 10 / 100 = 10 watts of LED lights for your patio. You can also use online calculators or consult with a lighting professional to determine the amount of light you need for your outdoor spaces. Plan Before Choosing Wall Light Fixtures.
The fixtures you choose for your outdoor wall lighting should match the style, size, and quality of your outdoor spaces. Here are some factors to consider when choosing fixtures: • Size: The size of your fixtures should be proportional to the size of your wall and the area you want to light up. A general rule of thumb is to choose fixtures that are one-fourth to one-third the height of your door. You can also use a tape measure or a cardboard cutout to visualize how the fixtures will look on your wall.
For commercial lighting fixtures use approx. 8x the wattage to the height, so for a 10 foot mount, use an 80 watt light. Go brighter or dimmer if the area calls for it. • Quality: The quality of your fixtures should be high enough to withstand the outdoor elements and provide reliable performance. Look for fixtures that are made of durable and weather-resistant materials, such as aluminum, stainless steel, or plastic. You should also check the safety rating of each fixture, which indicates the level of protection against moisture and dust.
Look for fixtures that are rated for wet or damp locations, depending on the exposure to rain or humidity. • Color: The color of your fixtures should complement the color of your wall and the overall theme of your outdoor spaces. You can choose from various finishes, such as black, white, bronze, or silver, that can create different effects and moods. You can also choose fixtures that have different color temperatures, such as warm white, cool white, or daylight, that can affect the ambiance and visibility of your outdoor spaces.
Always Think About Security In Outdoor Wall Lighting. Outdoor wall lighting can support visibility around entries, paths, service areas, and cameras after dark. Here are some tips to improve the security of your outdoor wall lighting: • Motion sensor: Motion sensor wall lights can save energy and improve security by turning on only when they detect movement. They can also startle and scare away any unwanted visitors.
You can choose from various types of motion sensor lights, such as passive infrared, microwave, or dual technology, that have different sensitivity and range. • Dusk to dawn: Dusk to dawn wall lights can provide continuous illumination from sunset to sunrise, which can enhance the visibility and safety of your outdoor spaces. They can also prevent burglars from hiding in the dark.
You can choose from various types of dusk to dawn lights, such as photocell, timer, or smart, that have different activation and control methods. • Placement: The placement of your outdoor wall lighting can affect the coverage and effectiveness of your security lighting. You should place your lights at strategic locations, such as the entry points, the corners, and the dark spots of your property. You should also angle your lights downward or outward to avoid glare and blind spots.
Outdoor wall lighting is not only essential for beautifying and securing outdoor spaces like backyards, patios, and driveways, but also for ensuring safety. When planning outdoor lighting, it's important to include ambient, task, accent, and security lighting. LED wall lights are the best choice due to their high efficiency, long lifespan, environmental safety, and versatility. It's crucial to calculate the correct amount of light needed and choose fixtures that are proportionate to the space, made of durable materials, and suitably styled.
Security features like motion sensors and dusk-to-dawn lights enhance protection, while strategic placement improves coverage. See our full LED wall Light buyers guide for further info.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main point of Outdoor Wall Pack Lighting Guide?
- Outdoor wall packs light entrances, walls, walkways, loading areas, and building perimeters.
- What should I check first?
- Measure mounting height, wall width, target area, and nearby windows or roads.
- Do controls matter?
- Yes. Sensors, timers, dimmers, photocells, and schedules often determine how well the lighting works in daily use.
- When should I ask for help?
- Ask for help when layout, glare, wiring, controls, code, safety, or product compatibility is uncertain.
Ready to Upgrade Your LED Lighting?
Our lighting specialists can help compare options, confirm light levels, and quote products that fit the site.
Call 800-674-9420 or email [email protected]
Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm PST

About the Author
Dara Greaney is founder and CEO of LED Light Expert with deep expertise in commercial LED lighting, retrofits, and photometric planning.
Editing by David Peguero


