BUYING GUIDE · SMALL ENTRANCES
Halloween Lanterns for Small Porches: 3 Real Options Compared
A classic lantern, a ready-to-light battery lamp or a glowing pumpkin? Compare what each option includes, how much space it takes and whether you will still want to use it after Halloween.
Researched October 15, 2026 · Based on published product information; no hands-on testing. Retail links are not affiliate links.
For a compact reusable light, start with SOLVINDEN. Choose BORRBY for a traditional black lantern look if you already have—or plan to choose—a compatible flameless insert. Choose Gemmy when a recognisable Halloween focal point matters more than using the same decoration in December. These are fit-based choices, not performance rankings.
The three options at a glance
| Option | Published size | Light and power | Main trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| IKEA BORRBY, black, 28 cm 101.561.09 | 15 × 15 × 28 cm 6 × 6 × 11 in | Lantern housing; no built-in LED or timer. Insert is a separate choice. | Classic appearance; check the complete set cost. |
| IKEA SOLVINDEN, stripe/light green 506.193.82 | 14 cm diameter, 31 cm high 5½ in diameter, 12 in high | Integrated LED; 2 AAA batteries sold separately. Six-hour automatic cycle described in manual. | Narrow footprint; very modest decorative output. |
| Gemmy LED pumpkin, orange, 9-in 151-8440-4 / part 227860 | 28.5 × 28.5 × 22.5 cm Approx. 11¼ × 11¼ × 8⅞ in | LED; 3 AA batteries, listed as included. Timer not confirmed. | Strong Halloween identity; wider than its height suggests. |
Sizes are retailer/manufacturer figures, not our measurements. Prices, store stock and delivery dates are checked on the linked live listings rather than copied into this guide. Canadian retailer links are provided; readers elsewhere should compare their local model and terms.
1. BORRBY: a classic lantern housing
Choose it for the shape, not for included lighting. BORRBY is a steel-and-glass lantern, listed for indoor/outdoor use. Its 15 cm square footprint suits a compact side arrangement. IKEA specifies one block candle up to about 15 cm high and 7 cm in diameter; that is not a guarantee that any electronic insert fits.
For our Halloween plan, choose a suitable flameless insert separately, checking its dimensions and its own exposure instructions. The housing does not add weather protection to an unsuitable light. Online orders currently show a two-item minimum: check this before comparing totals. A timeless black frame is easy to carry into other seasonal schemes.
Check current price & local stock ↗
2. SOLVINDEN: the narrow, self-contained lamp
Choose it when you want one compact light rather than a housing-and-candle combination. This SOLVINDEN has an integrated LED and a 14 cm diameter. IKEA lists indoor/outdoor use, 3 lumens and two separately purchased AAA batteries, recommending compatible LADDA rechargeables.
That low published output makes it an accent, not a replacement for entrance lighting. Its neutral green finish can work beyond October. The linked manual describes a six-hour-on daily timer, but also instructs users to disconnect it when leaving, sleeping or not supervising it. Keep it uncovered during use and remove batteries for storage. We have not measured runtime or compared its brightness in person.
Check current price & local stock ↗
3. Gemmy: a ready-made Halloween focal point
Choose it when the light itself should say Halloween. Party City lists this orange LED jack-o-lantern for indoor/outdoor use with three AA batteries included. Although the title calls it “9-in”, its specification table gives a width and depth of 28.5 cm and a height of 22.5 cm. Plan around the full footprint.
It offers a recognisable seasonal accent without carving a real pumpkin. The listing does not confirm a timer or a numeric water-ingress rating; check the supplied instructions rather than assuming either. It is less adaptable to Christmas than a plain lantern. The live page showed local stock during research, but availability depends on the selected store.
Check current price & local stock ↗
A shorter decoration can take more room
Do not choose by height alone. On a narrow entrance, width and depth determine whether a piece occupies a useful corner or intrudes into daily movement. Cut paper rectangles using the listed dimensions, place them in the intended side area and open every nearby door. Include space for your hands to reach a switch or battery compartment.
Use the smallest arrangement that gives you the effect you want. One pumpkin may be enough beside an existing plant. A single lantern can work without a second matching piece, so check order quantities as well as the unit price. Our three small-porch decorating setups show how to build the arrangement around the entrance.
Compare the complete purchase
Add the required quantity, a compatible insert where needed, batteries or an appropriate charger, and delivery to the total. Then ask where the item will go after October. A reusable lamp may serve more occasions, but a decorative pumpkin may be the better purchase if you specifically want that seasonal feature and have storage for it. A higher price alone does not establish better weather resistance or longer runtime.
Check the exposure separately
A product listed for outdoor use still needs to be used within its instructions. Battery power, a metal frame or the word “lantern” does not establish suitability for every wet or freezing location. If the exact conditions are unclear, confirm them with the seller before ordering. Keep the normal entrance light available and the display outside the route people use.
Before you order
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Common questions
Which choice is easiest to reuse after Halloween?
A neutral lantern or lamp is usually easier to work into a different seasonal palette. BORRBY needs a separately selected light, while SOLVINDEN is a complete lamp. This is a styling judgement, not a durability or value test.
Does a timer mean I can leave a light unattended?
No. Follow the exact product’s instructions. A timer feature does not cancel supervision or shut-off instructions in its manual.
Are these the products shown in the earlier porch photographs?
No. The earlier article uses real inspiration photographs whose lantern models were not identified. The product photographs here are matched to the specific listings linked above.
Sources and image credits
Product photos come from the linked official retailer listings and are shown for identification and editorial comparison. They are not our own test photographs. Brands and retailers do not endorse this guide. Decorative choices and shopping exercises are our editorial judgement.
- IKEA Canada: BORRBY 101.561.09 — specifications and product photograph.
- IKEA Canada: SOLVINDEN 506.193.82 — specifications and product photograph.
- SOLVINDEN official manual AA-2628162-4 — timer, use and storage instructions.
- Party City Canada: Gemmy 151-8440-4 — product photograph and expanded specifications.