Can You Use Outdoor Lights Inside?

Yes, outdoor light fixtures can be used indoors. Many are suitable, especially those with weatherproof ratings designed for transitional spaces. Be sure to check the voltage (12V vs. 120V) and brightness, as outdoor lights are often more intense.

This guide will answer your burning questions about whether you can use outdoor lights inside, exploring the benefits, potential drawbacks, and how to safely bring that beautiful outdoor style indoors with a little help from Rowabi.

READ MORE:

• 15+ Best Outdoor Lighting Ideas for Front of House
• 10+ Best Ideas Rattan Outdoor Furniture for Home
• 10+ Tips for Lighting Your Home

The basic difference between indoor and outdoor lighting?

While they may look similar, indoor and outdoor lighting fixtures are designed with fundamentally different environments in mind. The primary distinction lies in their durability and safety ratings. Check out our Expert Guide: Wet-Rated vs. Damp-Rated Light Fixtures.

Source: Rowabi

Outdoor lights are built to withstand the elements—rain, snow, extreme temperatures, and even pests—and are made with more robust materials and seals to prevent moisture from reaching electrical components. Indoor lights, on the other hand, are designed for a climate-controlled environment and therefore don't require the same level of weatherproofing.

This key difference in construction is what makes it possible to use outdoor lights indoors, but not always the other way around.

Can you use outdoor lights inside?

Yes, you can use outdoor lights inside, and it's a fantastic way to add a unique, durable design element to your home. Many interior designers and DIY enthusiasts are embracing this trend to create distinctive looks, particularly in spaces that might benefit from the added robustness of an outdoor fixture.

Don’t hesitate to take a look at our guide: How To Layer Lighting With Pendant Lights For A Cozy Home

Source: Rowabi

Think of areas like bathrooms, kitchens, or laundry rooms, where moisture and humidity levels are higher. The key is to understand the specific ratings and requirements of the fixture you're considering to ensure it's a safe and effective choice for your indoor space.

What are the benefits of using outdoor lights indoors?

Bringing outdoor lights inside offers a host of benefits beyond just a cool aesthetic. Let's explore some of the key advantages.

Versatility and durability

Outdoor lights are built to last. Their weather-resistant construction makes them perfect for indoor areas where durability is a plus, such as high-traffic hallways or children's playrooms.

More importantly, using an outdoor-rated light in a bathroom or kitchen provides an extra layer of safety against moisture, as these fixtures are specifically designed to handle damp or wet conditions without compromising electrical integrity.

Aesthetics and unique style

Using outdoor lighting fixtures indoors is a clever way to add a unique design element that stands out from standard interior lighting.

A rustic hanging lantern designed for a porch could be a stunning focal point in a dining room, or a sleek, modern LED house lights exterior sconce could bring an industrial-chic vibe to a living room.

Source: Rowabi

This approach allows you to break away from traditional lighting choices and create a truly personalized look for your home.

Safety

Contrary to what you might think, using a properly rated outdoor light indoors can be safer in certain situations. Because these fixtures are built to withstand harsher conditions, they often have better seals and more durable components.

This is especially true for fixtures rated for damp or wet locations, which are ideal for bathrooms or kitchens where moisture is a concern, ensuring the electrical components are well-protected.

What are the things to consider when using outdoor lights indoors?

While the trend of using house lights inside is exciting, there are some important considerations you should be aware of before making a purchase.

Voltage requirement

A crucial point to check is the voltage.

Most indoor lights operate on 120 volts, but many outdoor lighting systems, particularly low-voltage landscape lights, use 12 volts with a transformer.

While fixtures can be adapted, it's often easiest to stick with 120-volt LED outdoor lights that are compatible with standard indoor wiring to avoid the need for a separate transformer and complex modifications.

Brightness

Outdoor lights are often designed to be very bright to illuminate large, open areas. This means a single outdoor fixture might be too bright for a small indoor room.

When choosing an outdoor light, look for one that is dimmable or has a lower lumen output, or plan to use a dimmer switch. This will give you control over the lighting and help you avoid a glare that could be uncomfortable indoors.

Source: Rowabi

UL rating

Understanding UL ratings is essential for safety. A UL rating indicates that a product has been tested to meet specific safety standards.

• UL-rated for Dry Locations is for indoor-only use.
• UL-rated for Damp Locations is suitable for bathrooms or covered porches.
• UL-rated for Wet Locations is designed for direct exposure to water, like a fixture on an open deck.
• For indoor use, a damp-rated or wet-rated fixture is a safe and durable choice for any room.

Temperature

Outdoor fixtures are built to operate in a wide range of temperatures. While this isn't a major issue for indoor use, it's still a sign of their robust construction.

The durable seals and materials that allow them to handle extreme cold or heat also contribute to their longevity and performance in a controlled indoor environment.

Source: Rowabi

Types of outdoor fixtures for indoor use

When you’re ready to bring the outside in, the possibilities are vast. Many types of outdoor fixtures can be repurposed for stunning interior use.

Outdoor sconces, for example, can be used to frame a mirror in a bathroom or add a touch of industrial flair to a hallway.

Outdoor pendant lights, with their rustic or modern designs, can become a dramatic centerpiece over a kitchen island or in a dining room. Even certain outdoor canister lights can be integrated into ceilings to provide focused, modern illumination.

The key is to find a design that complements your interior style and a fixture that meets your safety and brightness needs.

Potential drawbacks of using outdoor lights indoors?

While the benefits are many, there are a few potential drawbacks to consider. The sheer size and brightness of some outdoor lights can be overwhelming for smaller indoor spaces, and their rugged, utilitarian design might not fit a more formal or delicate interior.

Also, because they are built to be sealed against the elements, they can sometimes be more difficult to maintain or change bulbs in. If you're wondering, you can use indoor light bulbs outside; the answer is a firm no, as they lack the protection needed. You must use bulbs designed for the conditions.

Source: Rowabi

How can outdoor lights be modified for safe indoor use?

Making sure your new indoor-outdoor fixture is safe is paramount. The most important step is to ensure proper wiring and installation, which is often best left to a professional electrician. If the fixture is low-voltage, it must be connected to a transformer before being wired into your home's 120V system.

You can also swap out high-wattage outdoor bulbs for lower-lumen options to create a softer, more appropriate indoor glow. Just be sure to check the bulb's rating and the fixture's compatibility. Using any light bulb outside is another crucial safety question (and the answer is no).

Expert advice: when to stick with indoor lights

While the trend is fun, there are times when it’s better to choose a dedicated indoor fixture.

Source: Rowabi

If you’re looking for a very specific, delicate aesthetic, a sleek house light inside fixture might be a better fit. Similarly, for highly controlled lighting effects, such as a multi-light chandelier with complex wiring, an indoor-specific design is often the more practical and safer choice.

Also, if you need a specialized bulb that isn't made for outdoor conditions, like certain decorative filaments, it’s best to stick with an indoor fixture.

FAQs

Can you use indoor and outdoor lighting interchangeably?

• Specific types of bulbs and fixtures are designed for either indoor or outdoor use for a reason. You should always choose weather-resistant bulbs and fixtures for outdoor use. However, it is easier to use outdoor lighting for indoor spaces, especially if these spaces are transitional.

How to use indoor lights outside?

• You can use some indoor lights outside, but it's generally not recommended. Indoor fixtures lack the durability and weatherproofing of their outdoor counterparts. Using a dry-rated indoor light in a damp or wet outdoor environment creates a serious safety hazard, as moisture can cause short circuits or fires.

Can outdoor sconces be used indoors?

• For an exterior sconce, you can use a UL-rated wet or damp location outdoor sconce indoors, as they are built to be more durable and can handle moisture, but it's important to consider their brightness and voltage requirements.

Are outdoor lights safe inside?

• Normally, an outdoor light is just weather-rated (to IP65 or similar), so it is fine to use indoor.

Can I use an outdoor light in my bathroom?

• As long as the IP rating is suitable for the zone you are planning to use it in, there is no problem

Can you use outdoor LED strip lights inside?

• Absolutely! I have two 6.5-foot outdoor light strips inside my apartment, and I did this intentionally because the outdoor ones produce a very bright but diffuse light. The regular indoor strips have to be behind something facing a wall because they are far too direct and unshielded to look at.

Can outdoor string lights be used inside?

• To use safety, be sure and plug the string lights into a covered GFCI outlet. They can also be used indoors

Conclusion

The question of "can you use outdoor lights inside" is a great one, and the answer is a resounding yes, with the right considerations.

By paying attention to voltage, brightness, and UL ratings, you can safely and stylishly bring a unique design element into your home. This trend is all about creativity and making your space truly your own.