35 Entryway Lighting Ideas to Brighten Your Home

Your entryway serves as the first 'taste' of what's in store in the rest of your home, so it's important to get its style right. But more than just form, an entryway's function is important too. And one of biggest needs for an entryway's function is its lighting.

But entryway lighting doesn't need to be bland and builder-grade. Instead, it can be exciting, minimalist, down-to-earth, or whatever other style you're looking for. Keep reading to check out 35 of our favorite entryway lighting ideas.

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Use Vintage Fixtures

entryway lighting ideas vintage — emily henderson

To give your home a more rooted sense of style, look for vintage light fixtures you can install in your entryway. Popular design styles to look for include art deco and midcentury lighting fixtures.

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Install Globe Lights

entryway lighting ideas globe lights — ashley montgomery design

Glass globe lights provide the popular shape of flush or semi-flush mount ceiling lights, but with a much more vibrant and bright use of light. Plus, they look just as good when they're off as when they're on.

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Use Semi-Flush Mounted Lights

entryway lighting ideas semi flush mount — emily henderson

Semi-flush mounted lights are partly mounted to the ceiling, with the lighting fixture itself hanging a few inches below it. These fixtures are perfect for entryways—they provide plenty of ambient downcast light, and they come in plenty of fun and elegant styles too.

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Make It Sculptural

Lighting fixtures can serve as art in your home, and entryways are no exception. Install a more sculptural lighting fixture to add something special to your entryway.

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Add a Geometric Light Fixture

entryway lighting ideas geometric — Katherine Carter Design

For a modern look in your entryway, use a geometric light fixture like the one in the space above by Katherine Carter Design.

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Add a Table Lamp

entryway lighting ideas table lamp — pure salt interiors

To add a little bit of light and a little bit of decor, add a small and stylish table lamp to your entryway.

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Add in a Wall-Mounted Sconce

entryway lighting ideas wall mounted sconce — emily henderson

For when you only need a little light, use a small wall-mounted sconce in your entryway. These come in a number of styles to match whatever you may be looking for.

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Let It Cascade

cascading entryway lighting ideas — pure salt interiors

Cascading entryway lights, like the one above in the space designed by Pure Salt Interiors, are a great way to take advantage of extra-tall ceilings and put all that extra space to good use.

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Try Recessed Puck Lights

entryway lighting ideas recessed puck lights — emily henderson

To add subtle lighting fixtures, use small recessed puck lights in your entryway. This works best in entryways with plenty of existing natural light, as the light that these fixtures provide can be overly bright.

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Experiment With Candles

entryway lighting ideas candles — emily henderson

For an entryway lighting solution with serious ambience, use a tapered candle (either real or battery-powered). This works really well for homes with a historic or more moody style.

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Use Natural Light

entryway lighting ideas natural light — pure salt interiors

Want your entryway to be awash in natural light? Install some skylights. Or you can fake it with the some recessed ceiling lighting that emits a gentle and cool light.

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Look for Plug-in Wall Sconces

plug in wall sconce entryway lighting ideas — emily henderson

Want the look of a wall-mounted entryway lamp without having to deal with running the wires through your wall? Try a plug-in wall-sconce instead, and run the wire up the wall, rather than through it.

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Use Out-of-the-Way Wall Lighting

entryway lighting ideas out of the way wall — emily henderson

If you want to ensure that your lighting doesn't distract from the beauty of your entryway, follow the example above from Emily Henderson and add a small wall light that sits out of the way while still providing needed ambient lighting.

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Try Unique Shapes

entryway lighting ideas funky — ashley montgomery design

For a unique entryway lighting look, pick a fixture with a funky shape. Lighting fixtures like these are a great way to mix it up in a space that otherwise feels fairly formal and put-together.

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Let Your Stained Glass Shine

entryway lighting ideas stained glass — ashley montgomery design

If your front door features a stained glass window, consider making it the primary source of light in your entryway, at least during daylight hours. This will ensure its beautiful craftsmanship is the center of attention in your entryway.

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Install a Few Teeny-Tiny Lights

entryway lighting ideas small pendant lights — katie martinez design

Who says ceiling lights need to be big? Add in the teeniest pendant lights for plenty of illumination in an eccentric and subtle way.

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Follow the Lines

entryway lighting ideas lines — house nine design

If you're using recessed lighting in a ceiling that already has a strong linear presence, make sure to install the lights along that same line, rather than intersecting it or going against it.

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Add Multiple Lights

entryway lighting ideas multiple — pure salt interiors

Who says you only need one entryway light? Why not make it two? Or three? Multiple entryway lights give an extra bit of style to your space and they bring in extra light too.

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Hang Woven Lights

entryway lighting ideas woven pendant lights — pure salt interiors

Woven pendant lights are one of the most popular lighting choices out there right now. And for good reason—these down-to-earth fixtures give off light that falls somewhere in-between ambient and direct light, and they have plenty of texture too.

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Add a Little Rustic Chic

rustic chic entryway lighting ideas — pure salt interiors

To add a little rustic chic style to your entryway, hang a farmhouse-style lighting fixture. Look for ones that feature exposed wood, twine, or mimic a barnyard lantern.

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Make Sure Your Lighting Matches Your Home

entryway lighting ideas home and entryway similar style — emily henderson

Make sure the style of your entryway light matches the style of the rest of your home too. For example, follow Emily Henderson's lead in the space above and use a midcentury modern style lighting fixture alongside some similarly mid-century living room furniture and accessories.

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Use Oversized Lighting

entryway lighting ideas oversized — pure salt interiors

Oversized lighting is a great way to add strong structure and style to an entryway. Just make sure it's not so oversized that it overwhelms your space.

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Install a Chandelier

entryway lighting ideas chandelier — becca interiors

Give your entryway plenty of elegance with a chandelier. Up its 'wow' factor by sourcing a vintage one too.

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Use Existing Lighting

entryway lighting ideas existing lighting — becca interiors

For back door entryways, there's no need to go all out on lighting (though you certainly can). Instead, ensure that the existing lighting in your kitchen or living room is placed close enough that it will be useful for entering and exiting too.

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Pair a Mirror With Your Sconces

entryway lighting ideas mirror and sconce — becca interiors

The mirror-sconce-entryway combo is a great one, but not just because it makes it easy to double-check your makeup before you leave. The mirror also bounces the light from the nearby sconce around, brightening up your entryway.

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Try a Sputnik-Inspired Chandelier

sputnik entryway lighting ideas — devon grace interiors

The classic Sputnik-inspired chandelier is the perfect retro addition to any entryway, especially when it's paired with other geometric and modern elements.

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Go for the Basics

The classic (and affordable) flush-mounted ceiling light is a great lighting choice for back entryways or mudrooms, where you may value function over form.

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Use Your Table and Floors

entryway lighting ideas table and floor lamp — house nine design

Who says entryway lighting needs to be only on the walls or ceiling? Use floor or table lamps as an easy way to add in some DIY-free (and renter friendly) lighting.

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Try a Double Sconce

entryway lighting ideas double sconce — emily henderson

A double wall sconce provides twice the light with the same amount of electrical hookups that a single wall scone needs. Use them to get the look of a pair of wall sconces without the work.

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Introduce Materials

Your entryway lighting fixture is a great way to introduce certain materials into your home, like brass or nickel. Use it to set the stage for the rest of your space.

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Add a Little Ornamentation

ornamentation entryway lighting ideas — jk interior living

Molding and ornamentation around a ceiling light makes it feel ten times fancier. Add some to your entryway to give your lighting fixture an elegant touch.

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Don't Forget Décor

entryway lighting ideas decor — pure salt interiors

Good entryway lighting is nothing without something noteworthy to light up. So make sure your entryway features some great décor, which sets the tone for the rest of your home.

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