Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

Design

Rounding Up My Favorite Moody Lanterns

April 29, 2024

It's been three years since we moved into our home and one year since we did our exterior renovation, but there are still a few outside updates to make. One of those is replacing the front porch lights. They are so massive — I've never had such big lights!! They came with the house, and I'm ready for something new.

Outdoor lanterns are more than just aesthetic — they can enhance the property value, affect visibility and extend your outdoor living space. I really like an exterior fixture to have multiple little lights in it. It feels more magical to have those flame bulbs alight.

I have my eye on some that I'll share below, but first! A quick real talk about the two types of lanterns.

Electric or Gas Lanterns?

We took an anniversary trip down to New Orleans around 2018 and saw all of these gas-lit porch lights — almost every home there had one! I said to Chris, "This is the most charming thing that I've ever seen. I love this. I need this." So in our last house, we installed a beautiful one from Bevolo. But let me tell you: your gas bill is gonna go up. And it should be noted that lanterns with a light bulb are modeled after gas lanterns. They are faux gas lanterns. And the truth is that the "new" model was invented for good reasons: ease, cost and looks. The light is brighter and actually more visible too!

Lantern Pendants (similar) | Pergola | Barstools | Dining Table | Dining Chairs | Dining Arm Chairs | Marble Bowl | Faux Artichokes

And so while we did think about going with a gas light — I'm glad we got to experience it at our last house — I'm very happy sticking with electricity this time around! To keep that cozy feeling, I usually go a little warmer on the outside bulb temperature. It just really looks harsh to see a daylight-style bulb outside. My go-to is 2700K outside. It's the perfect moody, traditional vibe.

See what I'm eyeing below and let me know your favorites!

  1. Arched Outdoor Sconce | $359
  2. Howa Outdoor Hanging Lantern | $108
  3. Calistoga Indoor/Outdoor Sconce | $299
  4. Galena Outdoor Wall Light | $261
  5. Piedmont 4 Light Lantern | $364
  6. Valencia Sconce | $399
  7. Rosedale Hanging Lantern | $959
  8. Wellsworth Lantern | $352
  9. Darlana Outdoor 3/4 Lantern | $1099
  10. Brass Outdoor Lantern | $94
  11. Black Lantern Wall Light | $49
  12. Caleb Outdoor Metal Lantern | $249
— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. Why the switch from gas (blog post in 2020 from your previous home) to electric lanterns? I love the look of the gas lanterns and would be interested to know the pros and cons of them from your perspective.

    1. They are so charming and if you're doing a new build and you have your heart set on it, you should do it! We were redoing our whole exterior at our last house, so it was easier to build in. I think that for our current house, it just doesn't feel like an expense that we want to take on (running a gas line behind brick will add up). Another slight con is it doesn't put out as much light, and we're in a wooded area so I can see it feeling a little too dark.

  2. I love #5 for the hanging fixtures. My first choice for the fixed lights is #8 if the colors work together. It's hard to tell from the pictures.

  3. Glad you did not choose gas. For the climate, we should be avoiding or converting from fossil fuels whenever possible. Have you considered using dark skies exterior lights? Light pollution is making it difficult to experience the magic of night skies in urban (and rural) areas. I converted all exterior lights to dark skies fixtures seven years ago, and the visibility around my house at night was actually improved.

  4. If I were you, I would run gas lines and install real flame lanterns. They are popular here in the Chicago Suburbs!

    1. Minimizing our use of fossil fuels is key to minimizing climate change and environmental concern. Please consider what is good for us living on the planet instead of just what looks cute.

  5. Love all of them! As part of the selection of lantern, could you also please provide some tips on how to choose scale and sizing?

  6. A vote for number 8 - the brass will go well with the red brick and your windows. The tall, elegant shape is better on our house than the broader gaslight shape?

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

A mood board with cowboy-inspired moody fashion picks and equestrian-themed home decor
Fashion

Canadian Cowboy: Not Your Average Western Look

I loved seeing fresh takes on Western wear. It goes to show there's room for fashion in every aesthetic. Recently I saw this funny interview with Brett Goldstein of Ted Lasso fame. He said he recently went to Texas for the first time (he's English if you're unaware), put on a cowboy hat and immediately […]
5 cutting boards in a grid on a marble countertop with various fruits, herbs and vegetables
Product Tests

My Tell-All Review of Composite Cutting Boards

This post is not sponsored and all opinions are my own. Nothing matches a beautiful wooden cutting board (our Boos board lives on my counter—it's a piece of art and sturdy as an ox). The drawback with wooden cutting boards is they can't be cleaned in the dishwasher. For anyone cutting meat, seafood, or anything […]
Decor

The Final Reveal: Greta's Bedroom Transformation

Greta is turning 15 in just a few days, and it feels like the perfect time for the reveal of her teen room makeover! Shop Greta's Room When we moved into this house, we replaced the floors and painted her room, but didn't really do much other than that. She’s growing up, and she wanted […]
Two seared filet mignon steaks on a serving plate with crispy sage on top
Chris Cooks

How to Perfectly Cook a Steak in Any Kitchen

The best way to make a steak is indoors. That's not a concession! It's done in all of the best steakhouses. They don't tend to use a grill, even though that is where most of us start when it comes to cooking a steak. This time of year? I'd rather be indoors than freezing outside, […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2025 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES