I’ve been searching for the perfect outdoor hanging lantern for my home for at least a month now {seriously}, and I’ve done so much research that I figured I should share my findings with you to save you the time and trouble!
I’ve been obsessed with the look of gas lamps for a while now and love their classic styling. My goal was to find a light that had the look of a gas lamp, but was electric. I also needed both a hanging lantern and a wall sconce, so it was important to me that I liked the look of both styles, not just one. I swear I must have searched every online site and store available and discovered that finding the perfect light was no easy task! I’ve narrowed down my top 10 favorites for you, grouped by price bracket. Some products may contain affiliate links.
Here’s a recap of my search criteria:
- The look of a gas lamp in electric form
- Hanging lantern AND coordinating sconce
- Clear glass {not bubble}
- Bronze, aged copper or black finish
Low
As you might already know, everything for outdoors seems extraordinarily expensive, whether it’s furniture, accessories, or in this case, lights! While there are quite a few inexpensive options, what you’ll find is that their finish or quality often doesn’t match that of the more expensive lights. Even so, I was able to find a couple that met my criteria, like the Morgan light from Wayfair. I like the detail the light has, which many in this price bracket are lacking. I also think the brass adds a bit of interest!
Medium
There are plenty of lights to choose from in this category! Pottery Barn has a nice selection, although their inventory is somewhat limited. Their Classic Indoor/Outdoor pendant is a basic, but timeless light with both lantern and sconce options.
I also love the Federal light from Shades of Light because to me, it has one of the most authentic looks of a gas lamp that I found.
High
I have expensive taste and found many, many light in this category that I loved, but this just isn’t the category that I shop in. I’ve narrowed my favorites down to two, of which, this is my #1 pick. The Lois Hanging Lantern has a yoke mount with a gorgeous copper lantern with rivets. It definitely has the look gas lamps still found in the French Quarter today!
Here’s my full Top 10 List with links to each below.
I’m in the process of redoing my back porch, a project I’ve waited 11 years to tackle! I picked a light from the Medium category, but it hasn’t yet been installed. I’ll update with pictures as soon as it is!
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I am thinking about doing some decorative lighting in our backyard to encourage hanging outside with friends and family during the evenings. I like what you said about getting lanterns and lamps that will provide a timeless and classic look to your outdoor space. I didn’t know that gas lamps could look like electric ones either. Thanks for these suggestions, I will keep them in mind in my search.
Lanterns are usually box-shaped with glass sides for the light to come out and brighten the environs. That’s why installing outdoor wall lights on your outdoor area can really spice up the place and make it look beautiful. Indeed these lanterns are attractive but for classic lovers only, they are not modern like.