Option One
Outdoor Wall Light
Front doors · Porches · Garages
Option Two
Pillar Light
Driveways · Walkways · Garden beds
Most exterior lighting mistakes come down to one thing: matching the wrong fixture to the wrong surface. A wall light needs something vertical to mount to, a doorframe, a garage wall, a porch column. A pillar light needs the ground, spaced along a path or driveway where there's no wall at all.
Here's how to tell which one your space actually calls for, plus real fixtures from our outdoor wall lighting collection and pillar lights collection.
The Split, Factor by Factor
Same six questions, answered for both sides.
Where It Mounts
Light Distribution
Best Use
Typical Price Range*
Power Source
Weather Rating
*Based on treyfarley.com's outdoor wall lighting and pillar lights collections at the time of publication. Prices in USD, vary by finish and configuration.
Who Wins Where
Reach for a wall light when
- You have a wall, column or doorframe to mount to
- You want to light the entrance itself, not just the ground in front of it
- The fixture needs to double as a visible design detail up close
- You're lighting a single point, like a front door or garage
Reach for a pillar light when
- There's no wall, it's open ground along a driveway or path
- You're lining up multiple fixtures in a row
- You want low, ambient markers rather than a bright focal point
- Solar power is a priority and there's no easy wiring access
What the Space Decides
This matters more than which category you started out wanting.
Front Door / Porch
A wall light on each side of the door, or one above it, is the standard approach. It lights faces and keys, not just pavement.
Driveway / Walkway
Pillar lights spaced evenly down each side mark the route without glare. No wall needed, and the low light stays out of drivers' eyes.
Garden Bed / Path Edge
Pillar lights again, usually shorter and set back from the edge, used more for ambience and safety than bright illumination.
The Two Numbers That Matter
For a double door or garage, mounting a wall light on each side at the same height reads more intentional than a single fixture off to one side.
Pillar light spacing isn't exact, tighten it up on shorter or curved paths, and widen it on long, straight driveways so the fixtures don't compete with each other.
Five Fixtures, Sorted by Side
Four from outdoor wall lighting, one from pillar lights.
Stainless Steel Wall Light, IP65
Acrylic shade over a stainless body. A clean starting point for a front door or garage entry.
From $169.99
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Linear Wall Light, Dimmable
A slimmer linear profile at 3000K, dimmable, for a more understated read beside a door or window.
From $139.99
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Up-Down Wall Light
Die-cast aluminum with light cast both up and down the wall, good for adding depth to a plain garage or porch face.
$189.99
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Wrought Iron Wall Light
Adjustable brightness on a wrought iron body, the most budget-friendly entry point in the collection.
From $69.99
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Solar Outdoor Pillar Light
Die-cast aluminum with a solar or hardwired power option, dimmable at 3000K. Built to be installed in a run along a path or driveway.
From $199.99
View product*Prices shown were current in USD at the time of publication and may vary by variant and over time.
Where This Goes Wrong
- 01Mounting an entry wall light too high or too low, breaking the 66–72" guideline without a reason to.
- 02Using a bright, unshaded wall light where a low pillar light would do the job without glare.
- 03Spacing pillar lights too far apart, leaving dark gaps along the path.
- 04Choosing a fixture with no weather rating listed for direct rain exposure.
- 05Mixing finishes between the wall light and pillar lights on the same property.
- 06Skipping the licensed electrician for hardwired fixtures. We recommend professional installation for safety and code compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wall light or pillar light, which one do I actually need?
If there's a wall, door or column to mount to, start with a wall light. If it's open ground along a driveway or path, pillar lights are the fit.
How high should an outdoor wall light be mounted?
66 to 72 inches from the ground to the center of the fixture is the standard guideline for an entryway.
How far apart should pillar lights be spaced?
8 to 10 feet apart is typical along a driveway or walkway. Tighten the spacing on shorter or curved paths.
Can pillar lights run on solar power?
Some can. Check the specific listing, our solar pillar light offers both a solar and a hardwired option.
What weather rating should I look for?
IP65 or higher for fixtures exposed to direct rain, splash or sprinkler contact.
Is an electrician required?
For hardwired fixtures, yes. We recommend a licensed electrician for safety and code compliance.
Ready to compare your options? Browse the full outdoor wall lighting collection or pillar lights collection.