The 3-step guide
Buying a barn light, made simple
A barn light is a classic industrial-style fixture — a metal shade over a globe, mounted as a wall light, pendant or ceiling light — built to throw warm, focused light over a doorway, bench or table. At Barn Light Australia we make every one to order in our Carrum Downs workshop, so you choose exactly how yours looks before we build it.
Every Barn Light is made to order, so instead of adding a finished product to your cart you'll make three choices — the mounting, the shade, and the finish. This guide walks you through each one.
- Choose your fixture and mounting style
- Choose your shade
- Choose your colour and finish
Step 1
Choose your fixture and mounting style
Start with how the light attaches to your home — wall, ceiling or hanging — because the mounting follows the spot you have in mind, and the shade and finish are separate choices that come after.
Mounting is the easiest place to begin: it’s driven by where the light goes and how much room you have around it. A few practical things to weigh up are how far a wall light projects from the wall, how low a pendant can safely hang, and whether the spot is sheltered or exposed. If you’re mounting on a wall, our Wall Light Projections guide shows how far each style reaches out. And if the light lives outside, read how IP ratings work before you choose.
| Style | Best for | Surface | Projection or drop | Indoor / outdoor | Shop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gooseneck wall light | Facades, signage | Wall | Set by arm | Both | Shop |
| Factory / farmhouse wall light | Sinks, hallways, alfresco | Wall | Low projection | Both | Shop |
| Cord pendant | Islands, benches | Ceiling | Adjustable cord | Both (sheltered) | Shop |
| Chain-hung pendant | Dining, stairwells | Ceiling | Set by chain | Both (sheltered) | Shop |
| Stem pendant | Bars, island rows | Ceiling | Fixed stem | Both (sheltered) | Shop |
| Flush ceiling mount | Low ceilings, eaves | Ceiling | Minimal drop | Both | Shop |
Outdoor use is rated to IP44 as standard, with IP55 on selected models — see Can I use a barn light outdoors?
Step 2
Choose your shade
Pick the shade shape and size that fits your space — a bigger shade for a bold statement over an island, a smaller one where it sits close or in a row. The shade gives the light its character.
A simple rule of thumb: in a larger or open room, or under a high ceiling, a wider shade holds its own; over a narrow bench, in a tight hallway or in a cluster, a smaller diameter reads better and avoids crowding. If you’re hanging several together, leave even spacing so each shade has room to breathe.
Here’s the part that makes it easy — every shade is modular, so almost any shade can become almost any mounting. Found a shape you love but need it as a pendant instead of a wall light? In most cases we can do exactly that. Browse the shapes and sizes side by side on our Shop by shade page.
Step 3
Choose your colour and finish
Last choice, and the most enjoyable: how your light is finished. You’ve got two paths — a hard-wearing Colorbond powdercoat in a popular colour, or a custom colour matched specially to your sample.
Colorbond powdercoat range
We powdercoat in a wide range of popular Colorbond colours — a durable, even finish that suits Australian homes and stands up beautifully indoors and out. Rather than print a list that goes out of date, we keep the authoritative range live: see our full Colorbond powdercoat range.
Custom 2-pack wet-spray colour match
Want something exact? With our custom 2-pack wet-spray colour match we can match almost any colour to your sample — a heritage trim, a feature wall, a favourite paint chip — hand-finished for a flawless, made-just-for-you result.
How to see your colours before you commit
Colour is the choice people second-guess the most, and a screen never shows it true. Order our free colour swatches, hold them against your wall, your tiles and your light, and choose with confidence.
Outdoors
Can I use a barn light outdoors? IP ratings made simple
Yes. Every light in our range is rated to IP44 as standard, which is built for covered outdoor spots — eaves, verandahs, alfresco areas and entryways. For more exposed or coastal positions, IP55 is available on selected models or as an upgrade to an IP44 product.
The “IP” rating tells you how well a fixture keeps out dust and water. IP44 handles splashing from any direction, so it’s well suited to sheltered outdoor use. IP55 adds protection against low-pressure water jets for tougher, more open locations. Not every product offers IP55, so check the model — and if you’re unsure, our IP ratings explainer breaks it down, or browse what’s purpose-built for the outdoors in our IP55 outdoor-rated lighting collection.
Before you order
What to know before you order
Ordering is simple: configure your light right on its product page, choosing mounting, shade and finish as you go — and if you’d rather talk it through, we’re real people on the end of the phone.
Prefer a human? Call us on (03) 8743 5500 and we’ll help you choose. A few things worth knowing before you commit:
- Made in Australia. Every fixture is built to order in our Carrum Downs workshop, just outside Melbourne. “Made to order” simply means we make yours after you choose it — your light, your way.
- 180-day returns. Anything you select and order online, including standard Colorbond colours, is covered. The one exception is a bespoke custom colour-match, which is made just for you — so order swatches first.
- 3-year warranty. Every light is backed by our 3-year warranty.
- Free freight over $600. Orders totalling over $600 ship free anywhere in Australia.
- Globes and dimming. Most fixtures take standard globes, so you can choose the brightness and warmth you like. For a dimmable setup, pair a dimmable globe with a compatible dimmer — ask us if you’d like a hand matching them.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a Colorbond powdercoat and a 2-pack colour match?
A Colorbond powdercoat is one of our popular standard colours, applied as a durable baked-on finish. A 2-pack wet-spray colour match is a custom finish we mix to your exact sample. Choose Colorbond for a proven, hard-wearing finish that's easy to order online; choose a 2-pack colour match when you need to match a specific colour exactly, like a heritage trim or a feature wall.
Can I order colour swatches before I buy?
Yes, and we recommend it. Our colour swatches are free — just request a set and we'll send them out. Hold them against your wall, tiles and surrounds in your own light so you can choose your finish with confidence rather than guessing off a screen.
Are colour-matched orders returnable?
Standard colours you select and order online are covered by our 180-day returns policy. A bespoke custom colour-match is made just for you and isn't returnable. That's why we'd always rather send you free swatches first — so you can lock in the colour before we build your light.
Can you match any colour?
Almost any. With our custom 2-pack wet-spray colour match we can match nearly any colour to your sample. Bring us a paint swatch, a Colorbond chip or a sample of the colour you're chasing and we'll match the finish for you.
Is a barn light suitable for outdoors or coastal areas?
Yes. Every light is rated to IP44 as standard for covered outdoor use, and IP55 is available on selected models or as an upgrade for more exposed and coastal positions. Check the individual product for IP55 availability.
What does “made to order” mean here?
It means we build your light after you've chosen it, rather than pulling a finished product off a shelf. You select the mounting, shade and finish, and we make that exact light in our Carrum Downs workshop — which is how you get a fixture that's genuinely yours.
Can almost any shade be any mounting?
Yes. Our shades are modular, so in most cases a shade you love can be made up as a wall light, pendant or ceiling light. If you've found a shape but need a different mounting, ask us — we can usually build it that way.
How do I order, or get help choosing?
Configure your light on its product page — pick the mounting, shade and finish as you go — or call us on (03) 8743 5500 and we'll walk you through it. If you'd like to see colours in person first, order our free swatches before you commit.
Ready when you are
Ready to design your light?
You've got the three steps — mounting, shade, finish. Now make them yours: start on any product page, build your light, and we'll handcraft it for you in Carrum Downs.
Take your time with the choices, and order swatches if colour's the sticking point. If you get stuck, call us on (03) 8743 5500 — you'll reach Jesse or Mel, and we genuinely love helping people get this right.
2 Responses
Hi, I have four 12V / 240V oyster lights from my 1979 caravan which I need to have sprayed gold. I attempted to spray two of them myself but wasn’t happy with the finish. Is this something you can help me with?
Hi Yasmin,
It certainly is – Feel free to contact us to provide more information on the material and we’ll provide options based on that information.
Jesse.