Bollard vs Wall Lights: What to Choose for Your Outdoor Space?

Choosing Outdoor Lighting for Your Home

Outdoor lighting helps you do more than just see clearly. It improves security, outlines walkways, and adds character to your garden or driveway. If you’re looking at options, two types come up often: bollard lights and wall-mounted lights.

This article will help you compare the two. You'll see when to use each type, and we’ll show real product examples that are available now at MCK Electrical.

Bollard Lights – Ground-Based, Versatile, and Easy to Position

Bollard lights are free-standing and usually installed into the ground or mounted on a hard surface. They are most commonly used along driveways, garden paths, or in landscaped areas.

They don’t require a wall for mounting and offer light from a lower, more diffused angle.

A good example is the Fumagalli Amelia 400mm Bollard Black. This compact bollard is made from shockproof resin and built to resist UV rays, rust, and corrosion. It comes with a powerful E27 LED bulb and has an IP55 rating, making it well suited for Irish weather.

Need something taller? The Fumagalli Sauro 1100 E27 Bollard Black reaches over a metre high and is ideal for marking boundaries or lighting driveways. It’s built for long-term use and offers energy-efficient LED lighting.

Another option, the Fumagalli Ester 500mm Bollard Black, has a modern design and suits both private and commercial outdoor areas. It's made from durable materials and stands up well to harsh conditions.

Looking for a decorative alternative? The Fumagalli Mizar Anna Post Lantern Black adds a more traditional look. It provides soft light and suits gardens or patio spaces where atmosphere is just as important as visibility.

All four options are weather-resistant, maintenance-free, and easy to install. Most use E27 bulbs, which are easy to replace.

Wall Lights – Fixed and Focused for Entry Points

Wall-mounted lights attach directly to an external wall. They are best used near entrances, patios, or garages where targeted lighting is needed.

A good example is the Ansell Latina E27 Wall Lantern Black. With a clean black finish and a modern shape, this light suits both front doors and side entrances. It accepts standard E27 bulbs, which allows you to choose the brightness and warmth of the light.

If you prefer a built-in LED option, consider the Ansell Leo LED Half Lantern Black. It includes an integrated dusk-to-dawn sensor, automatically switching on when the sun goes down. Its 7W LED output is bright enough for walkways or door areas and costs less to run than traditional bulbs.

Need something smaller and more directional? The Evolec GU10 Fixed Spot Light C/w GU10 Black is a compact unit that focuses light where you need it. It's compatible with GU10 bulbs and is easy to mount above doors or under eaves.

Wall lights are ideal for more controlled lighting zones. They focus light outward or downward, depending on placement, and tend to be more discreet than bollards.

What Works Best for You?

Think about your layout. Do you have walls to mount lights, or is your outdoor space more open? Do you want to light a long driveway, or simply highlight your front door?

Choose bollard lights if you:

• Need lighting along paths or open areas
• Prefer freestanding fixtures
• Want decorative garden lighting
• Have no suitable wall space

Choose wall lights if you:

• Are lighting entrances, porches, or patios
• Need focused or directional lighting
• Want automatic or sensor-based control
• Prefer a more compact fitting

Many homes use a mix of both. You can line a path with bollards like the Fumagalli Ester and install a wall light like the Ansell Latina near the front door.

Will your outdoor layout stay the same for years? Then fixed wall lighting may be the better long-term choice. Want something more flexible? Bollards are easier to reposition.

Practical Advice Before You Install

Where you install your lights is just as important as what you choose.

• Make sure you check the IP rating — anything outdoors should be IP44 or higher.
• Resin or metal housing ensures durability in all Irish weather conditions.
• Think spacing: too many lights close together can create glare; too few, and the space remains dark.
• Use energy-efficient bulbs where possible — most E27 and GU10 LEDs offer strong brightness with lower energy use.

Bollard lights can be spaced evenly along a walkway or driveway. Wall lights should be placed at a height that avoids glare but gives full visibility.