There’s nothing quite so welcoming on a dark December night as the sight of a house bedecked with twinkling fairy lights. Here are a few tips to help you create that magical feeling while staying safe.
Exterior lights on a building
Designed to mimic the effects of the icicles that form on roof lines in Nordic countries, exterior icicle lights are perhaps the trickiest to put up, as they are likely to be the highest. As with all exterior lights, start by identifying where your power source is and make sure that you are able to access the on/off swich easily. You’ll need a fully waterproof extension cable.
Next, ensure you can safely reach the window, roof line or gable where you want to place the lights. You may be lucky enough to be able to reach out of a window, but if that is the case, make sure you aren’t reaching out so far that you risk falling, and have someone else with you. Don’t ever tackle a job involving ladders alone, either. It’s really important to make sure your ladders are on a stable floor, and someone is around to hold the base steady.
Gutter hooks or decorating clips are readily available from DIY stores and allow you to fix string, cluster or icicle lights without having to use nails, which is great when it comes to aluminium or PVC surfaces. Check the lights are working by plugging them in on the ground first – you don’t want to find out there’s a problem after you’ve got them in place!
String lights are easier to put up as they can be artfully draped, but if you want a crisp line, the more clips or connection points you have, the better able you will be to keep the lights taut enough to avoid any unwanted sagging.
Exterior lights on a tree
A lit tree in the garden can create real drama and provides ready-made height and shape for your lights. Extra-long string and rope lights are ideal for this job, and mean you can avoid having to hide excess cabling. Always start at the top of the tree by fixing your first light, then winding the lights downwards, either circling or zig-zagging to get even coverage. You’ll need a waterproof extension lead, but should be able to manage with relatively few fixed points. To ensure you don’t damage the bark of the tree, small U-shaped pins can be gently hammered in and then reused the following year.
Get creative
Affix string lights to fences, walls and other outdoor structures to create a focal point in your garden. Warm white LED lights can be surprisingly bright and will light up a patio – look for unusual designs like snowflakes or robins to make a bold statement. Adding lights to a porch or to frame a front door can be equally effective and look particularly attractive from the street.
Indoor lights
Putting up fairy lights indoors helps to create a delightfully festive ambience. Wrapped around a mantlepiece, draped across a wall or threaded through stair bannisters, Christmas lights are a quick and easy way to decorate. For maximum effect, try placing your lights opposite a mirror or round the frame, so that the reflection doubles the light produced.
Follow these tips and you’ll soon transform your home into a sparkling winter wonderland.