Lamp Posts, Mounts & Lanterns

Factor in your home’s style, your lighting needs, and the local climate when choosing an outdoor lamp post. Purchase a post that complements your home’s exterior, whether that is contemporary or traditional, and choose a color that matches with your overall aesthetic. The pole height and lantern style should suit the size of the area you are lighting: Bright lights on taller posts are commonly used for driveways and property lines, whereas lanterns on shorter posts are practical for smaller garden areas and walkways. As with any outdoor fixture, a lamp post should be made from materials that will withstand exposure to the elements.

Residential lamp posts generally extend about 6 feet from the ground. Once a fixture is added, the total lamp post height may reach up to 8 feet. Light poles may be cut to accommodate any height as long as there is an adequate amount of the post buried to ensure it is secure and sturdy. You may find that a shorter light is a better fit in a smaller space like a garden or walkway.