Hanging Christmas lights is one of the most enjoyable parts of getting your home ready for the festive season. The right lighting can completely transform the outside of your home, adding warmth, sparkle and a welcoming atmosphere.
Focusing on outdoor displays, here’s practical advice on planning, preparing and safely hanging Christmas lights outside your home. Taking a little time to plan your display can make the whole process smoother and far more enjoyable.
Planning Your Christmas Lighting Display Before You Start
Before you begin decorating, it helps to think about where you want your lights to go and how you want the final display to look. A little preparation helps avoid tangles, gaps and constant readjusting.
However exactly you’re planning to set up your outdoor lights for Christmas, here are a few things to consider:
· Measure your space first – Whether you’re lighting a roof edge, fence or garden plants, knowing how many metres you need will help you choose the correct length
· Decide on your power source – Identify where your nearest plug socket is (inside or outside), or whether you’ll be using either battery operated Christmas lights or solar Christmas lights instead. If your lights are mains-powered, check the distance between the socket and the hanging area. You may also need extension leads or splitter cables, depending on the layout.
· Choose your lighting style – There are many lighting options to choose from, depending on the colours and mood you prefer. For instance, warm white offers a soft, cosy glow, while cool white and multicolour styles give a brighter, more festive feel.
· Plan how you’ll secure your lights – Outdoor clips and gutter hooks are suitable for most surfaces. Choose your fixing method based on whether you’re securing lights to gutters, fences, porches or trees.
· Check your lights before hanging them – Plug in your lights at ground level to check they are working correctly. It’s much easier to replace bulbs or fix issues before installation.
What Should You Do To Prepare For Hanging Christmas Lights Outdoors?
Outdoor spaces such as rooflines, gutters, fences, porches, balconies, pergolas, trees and shrubs can all look wonderful when lit. However, decorating such areas does require some preparation before you begin.
Gather the items you may need
What you’ll need exactly will depend on where you’re hanging your Christmas lights and the type you use, but the list of items commonly includes:
· Outdoor-rated Christmas lights
· Your chosen power supply (mains transformer, battery box or solar panel)
· Extension leads and/or splitter cables (suited for outdoor use)
· A weatherproof outdoor socket cover
· Ladder (ask another adult to hold it while you’re on it)
· Gutter hooks or outdoor decorating clips
· Tape measure
Check that your lights are suitable for outdoor use
Outdoor lights should be clearly marked as water-resistant or waterproof. Look for IP ratings on the packaging:
- IP44 – Suitable for sheltered outdoor areas.
- IP55 – Suitable for moderate exposure to rain.
- IP65 – Suitable for fully exposed outdoor installations.
How Do You Hang Christmas Lights Outside Your Home?
Once you’re prepared, you can begin installing your lights. There’s no single “right” way to decorate. Your display can be subtle or bold, depending on your style. However you choose to hang the outdoor Christmas lights for your house, take your time, since steady work delivers the best results.
Here are the major steps you can follow:
Step 1 – Identify Where To Put Your Lights
Walk around the outside of your home and choose the areas you’d like to decorate. You can consider using your lights to highlight features such as windows, porches and the eaves of the building. In gardens, features such as hedges, fences, gazebos and small trees can all be beautifully highlighted with the right lighting.
It’s worth also considering whether you want your display to be uniform (one colour and style) or more playful (with a mixture of colours and texture).
Step 2 – Decorate The Chosen Areas
Using clips or hooks
If your display requires decorating clips or gutter hooks, attach them at regular intervals. We recommend you space out the clips or hooks in 30 to 50 centimetre (cm) intervals, factoring in the weight and size of your lights.
For those that need help working out how many clips or hooks are needed, you can use the following calculations for reference:
· For lights with lightweight bulbs, such as string Christmas fairy lights or cluster Christmas lights, divide the length of the cable (from the first bulb to the last) by 50. So if, for example, the lights are 10 metres (1000cm) long, then you’d need 20 clips or hooks (1000 ÷ 50 = 20).
· If you’re using lights with heavier bulbs, such as icicle Christmas lights, divide the length of the cable by 30. So if, for instance, your cable is 15 metres (1500cm) long, then you’ll need 50 clips or hooks (1500 ÷ 30 = 50).
Work slowly along the area you’re decorating, ensuring the cable is supported evenly.
Decorating fences, pergolas and other structures
When fixing Christmas lights to specific structures such as fences, then the best method will depend on the structure’s material and the weight of the lights.
Options include:
- Outdoor light clips.
- Nail and cable clips (for wooden structures).
- Cable ties.
Decorating trees and garden plants
Decorating outdoor trees and other garden plants is very similar to decorating an indoor Christmas tree:
1. Start at the top and work your way down.
2. Either wrap the lights around the tree/plant or zig-zag across the front if only one side will be visible.
3. Space the lights evenly from top to bottom.
4. Secure the end of the cable loosely around a lower branch and run the remainder toward the socket.
Step 3 – Check your display before turning it on
After hanging your Christmas lights in the position where you want them, step back and look at your display from different angles. Adjust any uneven spacing or loose cables while the lights are still switched off. Once you’re happy with how they look, you’re ready to switch them on and enjoy the glow.
For safety, turn your outdoor lights off when you’re not at home or overnight. Or use a timer function for them if available. Ensure cables and connections remain dry and secure.
