The Beginner's Guide to Outdoor Lighting

Hardwired sconces make entryways more inviting, but you'll need to have some electrical know-how (or the number of an electrician) to swap out lights. (Plus, if you rent, you'll need to clear this with your landlord.) For traditional houses, a classic design like this Quoizel Millhouse Small Wall-Mount Outdoor Lantern ($140) will look just right next to the front door. The silhouette and textured glass look charmingly vintage, but the light is anything but dim.