The World of Rustic Outdoor Lighting

Rustic furniture and rustic outdoor lighting may represent one of the most misunderstood of all the decorating genres. When people hear "rustic" they immediately begin to think of log cabins and hunting lodges with lots of moose emblazoned fabric and fishing tackle.

When used in an outdoor setting rustic exterior lighting complimenting Adirondack or twig furniture bring warmth and individuality to a space meant for easy evening relaxation. And there's much more to the lighting genre than moose cut-outs!

In recent years the term "rustic" has come to apply not just to given pieces or motifs but also to finishes, materials, and construction types. No longer simply the realm of cabin décor, "rustic" might be achieved by simply using a finish on a fixture that appears to have oxidized with age or to have attained smoothed corners with the passage of time.

Wrought iron work with an "old world" appearance is often used in rustic iron outdoor lighting. "Country" items originally designed for another purpose can be used for a rustic outdoor light fixture. For instance, you might find an outdoor rustic lighting fixture or sconce made from old farm implements or reworked bits of iron from old machinery. Even the selection of a weathered wooden post for rustic outdoor pole lighting achieves the look the genre implies. The idea is one of age and a degree of relaxed informality. Not surprisingly, that can cover a wide range of items.

What are some of the Rustic Lighting Fixtures Available?

Rustic fixtures are available for a variety of styles suitable for placement by front or back doors, on porch walls, or as landscape or pole lighting.

Sconces

Sconces, or fixtures attached to walls, lend themselves well to the rustic look. Popular rustic sconces might be reproductions of old lanterns or street lamps. Frequently they will be multi-paned and when outfitted with flicker bulbs can actually appear to be providing illumination from an old time gas flame.

Pole Lights

The antique lantern or streetlight motif also works well on pole mounted lights, many of which feature a horizontal arm from which the fixture itself is suspended. Such fixtures can be found in weathered brass, antique copper, or bronze. Normally the fixture is mounted on an iron pole which is painted either matte black or a similar shade to compliment the metal of the fixture.

Landscape Lighting

Rustic landscape lighting will often be mounted on "mini poles" of perhaps 12 to 18 inches in height. These low level lights do function as tiny lanterns and as such lend themselves to rustic themes that blend in with the plant matter. An example of a rustic landscape light might be an acorn cap holding a shaded bowl that mimics the shape of the complete acorn. (This is also an example of the whimsy that is often part of the rustic motif.)

Continue to: Points to Remember before installing Rustic Exterior Lighting

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