Newel Post Lamp
A newel post lamp can turn an ordinary staircase into a work of art. With their nod to traditional design, these lamps lend a romantic touch while providing the right amount of illumination to a dark set of stairs. Made of metal with a glass shade diffuser, these pieces can also withstand outdoor conditions. If you’re looking for a way to bring a splash of drama as you ascend your staircase, take a look at these curated picks from our design experts.
Black LED Outdoor Post Light
$52.99
Black LED Outdoor Post Light
17 Stories
$52.99
Perfect For: Enhancing outdoor spaces with a touch of elegance
What We Like: Soft white light for a warm ambiance
This black LED outdoor post light features a sturdy aluminum and ABS construction with a waterproof grade of IP65, ensuring its durability in various weather conditions. The soft white light illuminates an area of up to 53 square feet, providing both a functional and decorative addition to your garden, patio, or yard. With a working time of 10-15 hours and an easy installation process, this pillar light not only serves a practical purpose, but also elevates the atmosphere of any outdoor environment.
Designer Advice:
Position these pillar lights along pathways or near outdoor seating areas to enrich the ambiance, and consider using multiple lights for a captivating, well-lit space at night.
Sturdy Metal and Glass Post Light
$106.99
Sturdy Metal and Glass Post Light
Red Barrel Studio®
$106.99
Perfect For: Wet locations such as gardens, backyards, courtyards, patios, balconies, porches, pathways, or entryways
What We Like: Durable and stylish design
Illuminate your outdoor space with this sturdy metal and glass post light, perfect for adding an elegant touch to various wet locations like gardens, backyards, or porches. Its robust metal construction and glass shade provide durability and protection against the elements, ensuring long-lasting use. This versatile post light is an ideal lighting solution for enhancing the ambience of your outdoor living area while also ensuring safe navigation throughout your property at night.
Designer Advice:
Consider installing the post light along a walkway or near landscape features to accentuate your garden's beauty and enhance the overall look of your outdoor area.
Industrial Bar Stool with Adjustable Height
$116.99
Industrial Bar Stool with Adjustable Height
Lark Manor™
$116.99
Perfect For: Stylish home bars and cozy kitchen islands
What We Like: The combination of rustic wood and metal materials
This industrial bar stool features an adjustable height setting, catering to various counter and bar heights for optimal comfort. The charming blend of rustic wood and metal materials creates a rugged appearance that will seamlessly complement industrial or farmhouse-style spaces. These stools are designed to be functional and durable, offering a comfortable seating option for your home bar or kitchen island without sacrificing style.
Designer Advice:
Pair these stools with other industrial elements like exposed brick or metal lighting fixtures for an eye-catching, cohesive space. Add a comfortable cushion for an extra layer of warmth and luxury.
Oil-Rubbed Bronze Outdoor Post Lamp
$52.99
Oil-Rubbed Bronze Outdoor Post Lamp
Williston Forge
$52.99
Perfect For: Adding an industrial touch to your outdoor ensemble
What We Like: Its versatile mounting options and seeded glass shade
This oil-rubbed bronze outdoor post lamp offers a flexible solution to brighten up your outdoor spaces, featuring a seeded glass shade and a vintage-inspired design reminiscent of yesteryear's lanterns. Ready to be mounted anywhere you need a little extra light, this post lamp combines style with practicality, ensuring your outdoor areas are well-lit and inviting. Perfect for patios, walkways, or garden spaces, its sturdy construction is ready to stand up to the elements.
Designer Advice:
Position this post lamp along your walkway or near seating areas, and consider pairing it with other industrial accents or furniture pieces for a cohesive outdoor look.
Adjustable Coffee Table with Storage
$55.99
Adjustable Coffee Table with Storage
Astoria Grand
$55.99
Perfect For: Versatile living room or lounge areas
What We Like: Hidden storage compartment and adjustable height
This adjustable coffee table combines style and functionality with its sleek design and versatile features. The table's height is customizable, making it perfect for both dining and working comfortably. The hidden storage compartment offers ample space to store remotes, magazines, and other essentials, keeping your living room clutter-free. Made with a durable wood and metal frame, this table is ideal for modern and contemporary living spaces.
Designer Advice:
Choose a neutral color palette for your living room, and add a plush area rug and cozy throw pillows to create a comfortable atmosphere.
Sleek Outdoor Wall Lantern
$269.99
Sleek Outdoor Wall Lantern
Alcott Hill®
$269.99
Perfect For: Enhancing curb appeal and safety at night
What We Like: Beveled glass accents and a versatile design
This sleek outdoor wall lantern is crafted from durable metal and offers a stylish focal point for your front walkway. The solid finish, turned finial, and hanging ring give it a polished, traditional look, while the beveled glass accents provide a sophisticated touch. Compatible with three 60w e12 bulbs (not included), this lantern is perfect for welcoming guests, improving nighttime visibility, and boosting your home's curb appeal.
Designer Advice:
Position one on each side of your front door to create a symmetrical, inviting entryway. Opt for warm, dimmable bulbs to set the desired ambiance for your exterior space.
Classic Cage Lantern with Contemporary Flair
$172
Classic Cage Lantern with Contemporary Flair
Troy Lighting
$172
Perfect For: Enhancing outdoor spaces and handling coastal environments
What We Like: UV and salt exposure resistance
Eden presents a perfect blend of classic cage lantern aesthetic coupled with contemporary allure, well-suited for sprucing up your outdoor spaces. As part of the exclusive Troy Elements collection, this lantern is artfully crafted using a unique EPM material that stands strong against both UV radiation and salt exposure, ensuring long-lasting durability and style. This versatile light fixture is an ideal choice for patios, decks, or coastal residences, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere.
Designer Advice:
Pair this lantern with sleek outdoor furniture and accent pieces with a touch of metallic or glass elements to amplify the overall contemporary feel and create a stunning, cohesive look.
High-Quality Metal Outdoor Post Lantern
$52.99
High-Quality Metal Outdoor Post Lantern
Bloomsbury Market
$52.99
Perfect For: Enhancing the ambiance of indoor and outdoor spaces
What We Like: Versatility in bulb compatibility
This outdoor post lantern is constructed from top-quality metal, ensuring durability and a long-lasting finish. It features a polished and high-temperature baked paint exterior, making it both practical and stylish. The E26 base accommodates various bulb types, including incandescent, halogen, CFL, and LED (not included). Its simple structure and complete accessories make installation a breeze, making it perfect for gardens, hallways, balconies, and more.
Designer Advice:
Pair this post lantern with warm white LED bulbs to create a cozy and inviting atmosphere in your outdoor spaces, while also emphasizing energy efficiency.
Pineapple Newel Lamp
$192.99 $315
Pineapple Newel Lamp
Highland Dunes
$192.99 $315
Inspired by nature, this newel post lamp showcases a pineapple design. Its leafy finial and base are made of aluminum in black while its bulbous shade is fabricated using textured glass. A novelty piece with candelabra-style bulbs inside.
Designer Advice:
A playful light source that’s perfect for maximalist, bohemian, and dramatic interiors. If you’re feeling adventurous or moody, we recommend creating a staircase ensemble where the stairwell wall is installed with a botany-inspired gallery wall. Due to its thin glass, however, you might want to consider installing it on a tall post to prevent the lamp from being knocked over.
Dramatic Post Lamp
$203.99 $330
Dramatic Post Lamp
Fleur De Lis Living
$203.99 $330
This newel post light is made of cast aluminum and hammered glass. It features acanthus leaf motifs on cabriole ornaments and a traditional cap with a bulbous finial. A beautiful piece, reminiscent of Tuscan design and decorated with classic details.
Geometric Staircase Lamp
$55.99 $59.9
Geometric Staircase Lamp
Charlton Home®
$55.99 $59.9
Cast a romantic flair while you descend with this staircase newel post light. This one features a lantern capital design with a pointed finial. Below, it is supported by arched elements connecting the lamp to the post mount.
Designer Advice:
Designed with a geometric framework, this lamp will look great in traditional Asian-style and transitional interiors, particularly for its rustic bronze and black models. Meanwhile, the white option would fare well in a farmhouse, traditional, and coastal-style home. With its small height, this piece is more appropriate for compact stairwells.
Solar Post Light Set
Solar Post Light Set
Charlton Home®
Perfect For: Illuminating gardens, patios, or decks at night
What We Like: Automatic dusk-to-dawn operation
Elevate your outdoor ambiance with this solar post light set, perfect for brightening gardens, patios, or decks without any wiring required. Simply flip the switch on the solar panel and place the lights wherever you desire. These durable plastic construction lights have a rechargeable Ni-MH battery, providing 6 hours of consistent illumination after automatically turning on at dusk, and off at dawn. Suitable for long-lasting use, this 2-pack set features waterproof technology, making it functional through rainy or snowy weather.
Designer Advice:
Arrange the solar post lights alongside walkways or around seating areas to create a welcoming atmosphere and improve visibility during evening gatherings.
Exquisite Globe Lamp
Exquisite Globe Lamp
N / A
Mystical and attractive, this globe-shaped newell post lamp will make your staircase design unique. Its round glass shade is designed with diamond-shaped latticework that creates stunning shadows when illuminated. Comes in an antique matte black finish.
Designer Advice:
A great choice for maximalist and traditional homes. One thing to note is that this lamp is a bit fragile and small and might not look proportionate with large posts. It’s also important to consider its positioning, so it doesn’t get bumped into, which could potentially damage the fixture. Best used for small staircases.
Sleek Adjustable Floor Lamp
Sleek Adjustable Floor Lamp
Lark Manor™
Perfect For: Adding ambiance and style to any room
What We Like: The modern design and flexible functionality
This sleek adjustable floor lamp showcases a contemporary design that complements any room decor. Its adjustable arm and shade allow for optimal lighting and positioning according to your needs. The energy-efficient LED light can be dimmed to create the desired ambiance, while the sturdy metal construction ensures long-lasting durability. This versatile floor lamp is available in multiple finishes to perfectly fit your preference.
Designer Advice:
For a cozy reading nook, position the lamp next to a plush armchair and adjust the light to focus on your book without straining your eyes.
Outdoor Post Head with Dual Glass Paneling
Outdoor Post Head with Dual Glass Paneling
Winston Porter
Perfect For: Enhancing curb appeal and outdoor ambiance
What We Like: Inviting glow from the combination of beveled and matte opal glass
This outdoor post head offers a captivating illumination with its dual glass paneling, featuring outer beveled glass and inner matte opal glass. The warm and inviting glow creates a welcoming atmosphere, perfect for outdoor spaces. Complementing its beautiful design, the post head boasts durable aluminum hardware with a sleek black finish that adds a touch of sophistication and elegance to your exterior.
Designer Advice:
To create a harmonious outdoor setting, pair this post head with other black-finished outdoor fixtures and add garden or pathway lights for a well-rounded and cohesive lighting concept.
Solar Post Cap Flame Light
Solar Post Cap Flame Light
KOOPER
Perfect For: Enhancing outdoor ambiance with a romantic glow
What We Like: Safe and cozy mood lighting
Turn your outdoor space into a cozy haven with the Solar Post Cap Flame Light. These lights create a beautiful and safe alternative to real flames, casting a soft, mood-enhancing glow that's perfect for adding a touch of romance to your environment. Designed for easy installation on posts, the solar-powered lights offer a sustainable and hassle-free lighting solution for your backyard, patio, or garden, without the need for professional installation or complicated wiring.
Designer Advice:
Position these solar post cap lights along pathways, around decks, or near seating areas for an enchanting atmosphere, and enjoy an effortlessly inviting outdoor space throughout the year.
Staircase Lantern
Staircase Lantern
With its classic finial, traditional moldings, and warm bronze shade, these newel post lamps will bring a sense of coziness to your home. The glass cover also features a hammered wavy texture that stunningly diffuses the light inside.
Hanging Lantern
Hanging Lantern
Reinventing the indoor newel post lamp design, this piece follows the form of a hanging lantern. With its half-dome head, exposed bulb, and wireframe, it exudes a midcentury vintage appeal, perfect for modern rustic and industrial interiors.
Lamp with Intricate Motifs
Lamp with Intricate Motifs
Bring a dreamy effect to your grand staircase with this Victorian newel post lamp. Inspired by the European Baroque period, it showcases stylized leaves, graceful silhouettes, and a warm, glow cast from its frosted glass diffuser.
Empire Post Lamp
Empire Post Lamp
Giving a nod to antique newel post lamp, this piece has a classic flared empire head and frame, crafted from aluminum metal. Three small candelabra bulbs provide illumination, which is warmly diffused by its clear glass shade.
Buying Guide
Vanessa is a New York-based designer specializing in architectural lighting. Whether you are planning an event, want to illuminate your backyard retreat or simply need advice on what lamp to purchase for your bedroom, Vanessa will be more than happy to share her knowledge and expertise.
Usually presented with an intricate sculpture, a newel post lamp can significantly improve the sophistication and luxurious feel of a room. Also, it's still a lamp and that means it can provide illumination.
Because of its advantages, the newel post lamp is still a desired fixture for many homeowners. If you are planning to get one for your home, you need to know how to find the right newel post lamp for your specific situation. To help you with that, this article is going to be a buying guide on this type of light source.
While there are newel post lamps that are crafted from wood or plastic, metal is by far the most popular. Hence, we’ll tackle or put more emphasis on metal newel post lamps.
- A metal newel post lamp may come in the form of aluminum, brass, copper, stainless steel or wrought iron.
- An aluminum newel post lamp has the advantage of being more economical compared to stainless steel. It's also lightweight and rust resistant. On the downside, aluminum is not as strong and durable compared to steel. It also oxidizes, leaving a residue that is chalky and white in color.
- Brass is a popular material for newel post lamps because of its gold-like appearance. And yet, it's an economical option, especially if you compare it to gold. However, brass is not known for its durability.
- Copper is another commonly used material for crafting newel post lamps. One reason for this is because of its unique reddish-brown appearance. Copper also ages gracefully, making it more beautiful as time passes by. On the downside, copper oxidizes, leaving a greenish-blue chalky residue.
- Stainless steel is generally more durable than all of the other metal variants listed in this article. It's able to resist rust, corrosion, and oxidation. This also means that stainless steel doesn't require a lot of maintenance. However, stainless steel is the most expensive metal type in this list.
- Wrought iron generally means an iron that is hammered into shape. Because of how it's crafted, each item is slightly different as opposed to being mass produced. On the downside, wrought iron is very susceptible to rust.
A newel post lamp is typically crafted from metal, and the metal will come with a type of finish. For such kind of lamp, the most commonly used finishes are satin, polished, hammered, brushed and antiqued.
- Satin finish comes with an appearance that is in between polished and matte.
- Polished finish allows the newel post lamp to appear shiny.
- Hammered finish will typically feature small indentations, giving the metal a nice texture.
- Brushed finish will feature a smoother texture, but with faint brushstroke-appearance in the metalwork.
- Antiqued is the most common finish for a newel post lamp. It makes the lamp appear as if it aged beautifully. Often, the metal undergoes tarnishing or darkening to achieve this appearance.
Remember the key points mentioned above as they will help you get started and filter out most of your choices.
While there is a vast range of different post lights available to match your style and meet security needs, there are a few essential features to look for when shopping for a post light including:
Weatherproof Casing
Outdoor lights need to stand up to the elements, so you need to ensure that you buy post lamp with a heavy-duty weatherproof casing to protect bulbs and electrical elements from damage that would put your family home at risk. The casing should also be resistant to dust and debris to minimize interference with the brightness of the lamp.
Easy Installation
Ideally, you want a post light that can be quickly and easily mounted to a post that you have already prepared and wired in your home. Make sure your post light comes with the correct hardware and mounting base to fit the post.
For gas or electric lamps, you may need the assistance of professionals to complete your installation. However, if you choose the eco-friendlier solar option, no wiring is needed, and they are ready for use as soon as they are secured in position.
Quality Finishes
The finish of the post light determines how well it blends in with your home exterior and landscaping. Look for luxe metallic finishes such as copper, bronze, or die-cast aluminum that are hardwearing and stylish to give the lamp an expensive antique appeal.
Hammered or beveled glass panels can elevate the style of the lamp without inhibiting the brightness or direction of the light.
Timer or Sensor
A timer or motion sensor can help you to save energy when using your post lights. Set the timer between sunset and sunrise, and don’t forget to adjust the timers for daylight savings.
Motion sensors are ideal for post lights used for security measures. The sudden flash of light can deter would-be criminals and illuminate your home for witnesses. Motion sensors are also a good idea for functional task lighting, such as next to garages or on patios. However, motion sensors can be triggered by reflective surfaces, so make sure you position your post lights away from water features, mirrors, and windows.
The three most popular types of post lighting have both pros and cons, and each emits a different type of light suitable for different outdoor areas of your home.
Electric Post Lights
The most common style of post light used by professional landscapers is the low-voltage electric light. For yards that have already been wired, installation is a simple process. You also have a choice between LED, incandescent, and fluorescent bulbs to determine the amount and type of light you want.
Outdoor electric bulbs are long-lasting, especially if you opt for the slightly more expensive LED bulbs. They can also be set up with a timer or photosensor that switches the light on at dusk when the natural light gets low.
Electric lights are the best options for safety and security lighting. Choose a stylish lantern that matches your home exterior style to illuminate your front gate or porch.
Gas Post Lights
Although not as common as low-voltage electrical lights, gas post lights offer a mesmerizing flickering light that creates a warm and inviting ambiance in your yard. Though gas lights do emit intense light, the flickering makes them unsuitable as safety and security lights.
Gas post lights need to be professionally installed and connected to a gas line. They are typically more expensive to operate than electric lights, and you will need to make sure the post light features a wind guard to protect the flame from extinguishing in strong winds.
Gas lights are the best option as decorative pieces in the backyard or patio. Match the gas post lights to outdoor wall sconces in your entertainment area to create an inviting outdoor space that has a seamless flowing style.
Solar Post Lights
The biggest advantage of using solar panel post lights is the cost-efficiency. They also have a zero-carbon footprint and do not require any complex wiring for installation.
One of the downsides to solar post lights is that they don’t offer the same brightness as electric or gas-powered lanterns. This is a major consideration for lights used for security purposes.
The power of the light also suffers if it is not positioned in an area with continual direct sunlight. Solar lights also require a little extra care and attention to remove dirt and grime as they can limit the panel’s ability to absorb sunlight.
For pools, garden paths, and other open outdoor areas, solar post lamps are the best choice. You may need to purchase multiple lamps to compensate for the brightness, but the cost is offset by the money you save on your energy bill.
- Make sure your post lights are weatherproof and hardwearing.
- Lights should be easy to mount to your prepared post and install. However, you should never DIY gas or complex electrical wiring, hire the professionals instead.
- The finish and details on the light should reflect the exterior style of your home and blend in with the landscape design.
- Use timers or motion sensors to save energy.
- Choose electric lights for security, gas lights for ambiance, and solar lights for pools and garden paths.
