The festive season is around the corner, and nothing brings out the holiday spirit quite like a well-lit home. Outdoor holiday lights can transform your house into a festive wonderland, adding beauty and cheer to your neighbourhood. But hanging these lights can be a daunting task. From safety to aesthetics, there are many factors to consider. In this blog, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to hang outdoor holiday lights like a pro, from choosing the right lights to ensuring they stay securely in place.
1. Plan Your Lighting Design
Before diving into the installation, take some time to plan your lighting design. Determine which areas of your home and garden you want to illuminate. Consider the following:
- Rooflines: Outlining your roofline creates a clean, crisp look.
- Windows & Doors: Framing these elements adds balance to your display.
- Trees & Shrubs: Use string lights to wrap tree trunks or branches for a magical effect.
- Pathways & Driveways: Illuminate your walkways with stakes or ground-level lighting for safety and aesthetic appeal.
Pro Tip: Sketch a rough design of your house and plan the layout. Estimate the number of lights and extension cords you’ll need.
2. Choose the Right Lights
Not all lights are created equal, and it’s important to choose the right type for outdoor use. Here are some common options:
- Incandescent Lights: These are traditional holiday lights and tend to be budget-friendly. However, they consume more energy and get hotter than modern alternatives.
- LED Lights: Energy-efficient and long-lasting, LED lights are becoming the go-to option for holiday lighting. They stay cool, use up to 75% less energy, and are available in various colours and designs.
- Icicle Lights: Perfect for draping along roof edges, giving your home a frosty, wintry appearance.
- Net Lights: Ideal for draping over bushes or hedges, these are pre-arranged lights that save time when decorating large areas.
Pro Tip: Always check that the lights are rated for outdoor use. Indoor lights won’t withstand the weather elements and could pose a fire hazard.
3. Safety First: Inspect Your Equipment
Safety should be your top priority when hanging outdoor lights. Inspect all lights, extension cords, and clips for damage before use. Here’s a safety checklist:
- Check for frayed wires, broken bulbs, or cracked sockets.
- Use waterproof extension cords and make sure they’re rated for outdoor use.
- Use a ladder that’s secure and stable, preferably with a spotter for safety.
- Never overload your outlets. Consider using a power strip with a built-in surge protector to manage multiple light strands safely.
Pro Tip: Replace any damaged lights or cords to prevent electrical hazards. Test your lights before hanging to ensure all bulbs work and prevent the hassle of removing and replacing them once installed.
4. Use the Right Hardware: Clips and Hooks
Gone are the days when you had to use nails or staples to hang your lights (which often damage your home’s exterior). Today, there are safer and more convenient options:
- Plastic Light Clips: These clips can attach to gutters, rooflines, and shingles without causing any damage.
- Adhesive Hooks: Great for hanging lights around windows and doorframes. Be sure to choose outdoor-rated adhesive hooks.
- Gutter Clips: Designed to clip onto gutters securely, providing a simple and effective way to attach your string lights.
Pro Tip: Use clips or hooks that match the type of lights you’re using. For example, icicle lights require different clips than standard string lights.
5. Measure Twice, Cut Once: Check Lengths and Distances
Nothing is more frustrating than getting halfway through hanging your lights only to realize you don’t have enough length to cover the area. Follow these steps to avoid this issue:
- Measure the total length of the areas you plan to cover.
- Check the length of your light strands and plan accordingly.
- Avoid using too many extension cords, which can create a tangled mess and pose a tripping hazard.
Pro Tip: Purchase a few extra strands of lights just in case. It’s better to have more than enough than to come up short.
6. Timing is Everything: Use Light Timers
No one wants to leave their lights on all night or have to go outside to turn them on and off. Investing in a quality outdoor timer can solve this issue. Set your timer to turn on your lights at sunset and turn them off after a designated period.
Pro Tip: Smart home systems like Wi-Fi-controlled outlets can allow you to manage your lights from your phone, making it easier to control the timing of your display.
7. Weatherproofing Your Setup
The weather can be unpredictable during the holiday season, so make sure your light display is prepared for rain or wind. Here’s how:
- Waterproof your connections: Use waterproof connectors for any outdoor plugs or outlets. You can also tape the connection points with electrical tape for added security.
- Secure your lights: Use additional clips or zip ties to ensure that your lights stay in place, especially in windy conditions.
- Protect extension cords: Elevate them off the ground to avoid water exposure, or cover them with plastic cord covers.
Pro Tip: Place your extension cord connections inside weatherproof boxes to shield them from rain.
8. Focus on Aesthetic Balance
While it’s tempting to go all out with lights everywhere, too much can overwhelm the beauty of your home. Focus on balancing your light display for a tasteful and elegant look.
- Mix different light sizes: Consider using larger bulbs for your roofline and smaller ones for trees or bushes.
- Stick to a colour scheme: Whether you opt for traditional white or colourful lights, consistency in colour can create a more polished and cohesive display.
- Highlight focal points: Use additional lighting to emphasize key architectural features like your porch, windows, or entryway.
Pro Tip: Stand back from your house while setting up to assess how it looks from a distance. Adjust the placement of lights to ensure an even distribution.
9. Wrapping Up: After the Holidays
When the holiday season ends, take the time to safely remove and store your lights. Here’s how to make the process easier:
- Remove lights carefully: Don’t pull on the light strands, as this can damage the wiring. Instead, detach each clip or hook before removing the lights.
- Wrap lights around a spool or cardboard to prevent tangling for next year.
- Store lights in a dry, cool place to ensure they’re ready to use again next year.
Pro Tip: Label your lights and extension cords by area (roofline, bushes, etc.) so that next year’s installation is even easier.
Conclusion
Hanging outdoor holiday lights is a great way to spread festive cheer and bring joy to your community. By planning carefully, using the right tools and safety measures, and weatherproofing your setup, you can ensure a stunning display that will last throughout the season. Make sure to take the time to install them safely and securely, and you’ll have a beautiful, bright, and festive home for the holidays.