What Is a Coach Light?
Coach lights have added class and sophistication to vehicles and homes since the 19th century. Originally, coach lights were brass carriage lanterns added to horse-drawn coaches to illuminate dark roads for safety and avoid obstacles.
Two centuries later, coach light fixtures have evolved into a more industrial design, serving not just a functional purpose for vehicles but also for home exteriors. With multiple types available, including antique, modern, and energy-efficient, dive in with us and discover why they can make a great addition to a home's exterior.
Coach Lights: Early Uses and Functions
Coach lights were also called carriage lamps in the 19th century. As we mentioned earlier, they were originally lit by oil or candles to help guide horse-drawn carriages through the dark. However, since the invention of the light bulb and the advancement of technology, the function of coach lights has evolved.
Today, coach lights mainly serve as decorative pieces. They blend sophistication, elegance, and aesthetics to upgrade the exterior of a home. Many are installed next to the side of a garage door, entry, or walkway to illuminate the area around them. Due to their purposeful illumination, coach lights can discourage potential intruders from entering your property.
While there’s more variety than ever, many modern lights still mimic the classic look of traditional lanterns, creating an inviting ambience. The major difference, though, is that many of these fixtures are LEDs, which are energy efficient and extend the bulbs' longevity.
Pro Tip 1: Transform the exterior of your home with Haylen Sensor. This waterproof LED wall light shares the similar function of a coach light but adds a contemporary twist. This slim and streamlined fixture can be placed in any direction and complements various types of architecture. What’s unique about the Haylen Sensor is that it has a dawn-to-dusk motion sensor that naturally lights the darker areas around your property as the day fades.
Evolution of Coach Lights
With coach lights, there are a few different types you can install to the exterior of homes; here are three different types you may come across:
Lantern style coach light
These modern and stylish coach lights, often made from aluminum or acrylic, balance aesthetics and functionality. They are used to illuminate pathways or entranceways.
Pro Tip: Terri is a great example of a modern lantern-style coach light. Terri is made from stainless steel and has a polished black finish. This fixture is perfect for being installed on a doorway, gate, or driveway.
Antique style coach light
Antique styles are classic coach lights with a look and feel similar to traditional ones. Often, the materials are solid brass or clear glass, adding a nostalgic aesthetic appeal to the fixture.
Modern coach light
Modern coach lights still have a classic lantern style but are made from more contemporary materials. Often, they’re made from aluminum or stainless steel, seamlessly matching many modern aesthetics. Compared to other fixtures, modern coach lights usually use LED bulbs, dimmer switches, sensors or smart lighting to enhance ambiance.
Pro Tip 1: Haylen is a modern coach light that can be placed vertically or horizontally. It’s waterproof, withstanding different elements from the weather, and the LED has a long lifespan.
Pro Tip 2: If you want to install a contemporary fixture outside of your home, consider Brook. This modern outdoor sconce effortlessly illuminates the center of an entryway such as a door or a garage.
Coach Lights: Sustainability and Energy Efficiency
Coach lights are fantastic fixtures to have on the exterior of your home. But, since they’re required to be on every night, you must preserve the bulb’s longevity for their function and aesthetic to remain effective. Here are several tips on how to save on energy consumption:
- Use energy-efficient LED lights. They use less heat and have a longer lifespan.
- Install dimmer switches or sensors to minimize usage time.
- Turn off lights when not in use.
- Don’t use the lights in daylight.
- Use solar-powered fixtures they capture energizing light from the sun and convert it into electricity.
We recommend: Ember an energy-efficient modern coach light fixture. Available in solar and nonsolar, it has LED lights and a stunning black finish. On the contrary, Harper is a fixture with iconic contemporary shapes doubling up as artwork. With LED bulbs, the lights in this fixture can last up to 20 years and are replaceable too!
Modern Outdoor Lighting
In addition to modern coach lights, many different types of exterior lights serve as popular choice for homes:
- Barn lights:A barn light is a downward-facing lighting fixture with a rustic aesthetic.
- Black finish lights: Fixtures like Meadow have a straightforward shape and black finish.
- Floor lamps: Floor lamps like Skye add curb appeal to patios or decks with ambience lighting. They can perfectly complement other fixtures, such as sconces or lanterns.
Wrapping up coach lighting
To summarise, coach lighting has existed since the 19th century. While back then it was used for carriages, today, coach lighting adds a functional touch to the exterior of a home. It can illuminate doorways, garages, and walkways and discourage intruders. There are a variety of different types, including lantern style, antique, modern, and black-finished coach lighting.
Because coach lighting is for a home's exterior, it's wise to consider their energy usage.
Whenever possible, opt for LED light fixtures, solar-powered coach flights or even use ones with sensors or dimmer switches. Doing so will save your electricity bill and the need for frequent replacements.
With MOD Lighting, enhance the exterior of your garage, home, or outdoor space with energy-efficient fixtures—browse our Modern outdoor lighting range.
Frequently Asked Questions
A coach light, also known as opera lamps, is a fixture used for vehicles and the exterior of homes. Some coach lights have a lantern style, while others are slightly more sleek and slender.
A coach light fixture on a house often resembles a traditional lantern used on horse-drawn carriages or coaches. These fixtures are often installed near driveways, garages, and entranceways to balance functionality and aesthetics.
The reason why coach lights are called coach lights dates back to the 19th century. Originally, coach lights were lanterns used to illuminate horse-drawn carriages or coaches and guide travellers during nighttime travels.
A coach lantern is a wall-mounted fixture with a traditional aesthetic. It looks like a lantern and typically has a black finish. It’s often made from stainless steel or a material that withstands the elements.
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