Festoon lighting or fairy lights are an effortless installation and make a big impact on the look of your outdoor environment.
There are many occasions to be outside – barbecue with friends on the weekend, coffee and a magazine on the patio, outdoor dinners, nicer weather, etc.
By investing in outdoor lighting, you have made your home functional and provided a warm and inviting setting.
However: You do not have to follow the trend. Make your outdoor space unique and interesting by adding these different festoon lights.
1. Glow in the Dark Stepping Stones
What could be better than a pathway that glows after sun down?
Apart from the mesmerizing effect, it can help reduce tripping hazards at night.
Amazingly enough, it doesn’t have to be expensive either.
With a few LED lights, some special glow-in-the-dark paint, you will wow every guest that comes by after sunset.
Better still, it can be done with any type of stepping stone, no matter the material.
2. Solar Pagoda Light String
If you are looking for ways to reduce your utility bills, you should consider ponying up for a solar pagoda light string.
They consist of mini lanterns that create the perfect ambience for a garden party, especially when draped around trees.
But the best part of these festoon lights is their good value and low maintenance.
After you have paid the initial costs, you will not have to worry about monthly bills.
As for upkeep, you will only have to keep the solar panel free of dirt and dust.
3. Festoon Lights with Bluetooth Speakers
At first glance, you’ll think this item is just a regular table lamp.
Of course, it is a light source, but it also has another cool function – a Bluetooth speaker.
The gadget allows you to play music through your mobile phone while sitting outside.
What’s better, you also get a remote to change the colour of the light from up to 4 meters away!
4. Lit Up Furniture
Investing in illuminated furniture enhances the evening allure of stargazing.
You will never go back inside once the sun goes down because outdoor lighting will allow you to find your way to your seat without sacrificing visibility.
The outdoor table comes fitted with a dimmer switch that allows you to adjust the amount of light to match the evening’s ambiance.
The top is protected with tempered glass, so you need not worry about your cocktail glasses if you happen to set them on top the table.
5. Star Fairy Lights
These lights are attached to a flexible and thin cable, allowing you to easily shape them around your furniture, trees, rails, posts, etc.
And just like stars, the lights glow warm white to yellow.
The great thing about this one is that it has a built-in timer, so you can simply set it to turn off when the party is finished.
6. Elegant Festoon Outdoor Line Lights
If you want stylish and sophisticated, definitely these lights from John Lewis are your best option.
These lights can be used both inside and outside as they create a crisp white light that is perfect for long dinners outside on warm months.
While the full set comes with 10 bulbs, this shouldn’t be too much of an issue.
This is because being minimal is important when it comes to home entertainment.
This style also has a good five metres from the power and the first bulb so can light up your garden table easily.
The only downside is that this version is a lot more expensive than other festoon lights, but this is down to the quality of the glass finish.
7. Bohemia Fairy Lights
These twinkle lights just like other things boho-ish are unique.
Being fragile and not waterproof means you should use them ‘under cover’ if they will be used outside.
You will also want to be near a power source since the power cord is short in length.
8. LED Planters
These LED planters are most effective used at walkways and driveways.
They enhance your backyard’s appearance by highlighting the foliage you have in your collection of greens to guests walking up to your front porch. In fact, they are inexpensive to operate.
9. Outdoor Chandeliers
If you’re a fan of larger-than-life structures, then you’ll want to buy these tea light outdoor chandeliers.
The chains are long so you can really set an eccentric mood in outdoor space by hanging them from trees, tents, and/or pergolas.
Where to Place Festoon Lights?
You can place festoon lights anywhere on your property, whether that is in the home or in the yard.
In other words, the usability and versatility of festoon lights only limits the possibilities to your imagination.
Below are a few of the best locations to place your festoon lights in or around your home.
Backyard
The majority of homeowners enjoy adding festoon lights to their outdoor area.
Fortunately, there are also lights of different sizes that are applicable in areas of various types.
In outdoor areas, you can hang them from wiring, pin them to walls, or mount them on the ground or roof.
Indoors
Like we said earlier, festoon lights can be used for more than just outdoor spaces.
Inside your home, you can decorate your children’s bedrooms, the bedroom, and your downstairs stair railings.
Newer indoor festoon lights are often foldable, which means you can easily move them around your home.
Commercial Applications
When it comes to commercial usage, you tend to see festoon lights used within entertainment spaces such as bars, restaurants, cafes, and theatres.
These lights tend to be longer in length than residential lights, and you can usually find them extending up to 100 metres.
How Do I Hang Festoon Lights?
The optimal installation method for festoon lights will depend on the area you want to install the lights.
Other key factors include the dimensions of the light fixtures and the distance of the strand.
In addition, we have some useful tips about how to hang festoon lights in your space.
Plan & Measure
Be sure to measure the space you have available and the distance you want the lights to reach prior to purchasing your festoon lights.
This view will help you determine how long the light and cabling need to be as well as how many hooks you will need.
There is no dimension too small to overlook.
Write down the height and width of the space and estimate your desired drop.
These measurements are essential to approach the large selection of festoon lights you will face when purchasing a light.
Install Lamp holders Downwards
All simply feeling strange, it is quite common for individuals to install lamp holders facing up, ultimately meaning a dimmer space.
Instead, put the lamp holders facing down, this will ensure the best possible light on the area you wish to illuminate.
Use Hooks and Wires
If you’re considering installing long string lights, it’s best to steer clear of festoon light end caps for support.
It’s much smarter to go with cable clips and coaxial staples to fasten your festoon lights around the area in which you’re installing.
Another aid to add tensile strength is to use some hooks and wires to keep the hanging line from drooping and sagging.
Quick tip: you can find hooks, as well as wires, at your neighborhood brick-and-mortar and online!
Be Creative
Getting creative with your festoon lights can really add to the visual interest of your outdoor space.
Instead of stringing the lights like most people, consider unconventional moves like wrapping the lights around your fence, hanging off your patio roof, wrapping around a lamppost, and so on.
Consider the Layout
As previously stated, you have a number of choices for how to hang your festoon lights.
However, you’ll want to think about the design of your area. More specifically, you want to think about the size of your area, and the purpose of the layout.
While your creativity is limited, thinking through the design of your space will help you select the best festoon light hanging system.
Here are some common layouts for hanging festoon lights.
Wedge Layout
The meaning of this type of setup is to hang festoon lights from a high point, whether that be a pole, tree or roof beams, that can distribute the strings in several downward angles to end with a triangle pattern.
The biggest benefit with this shape is that the lights are evenly distributed over a large area.
You will also want to make sure that the two ends of each string of lights are secure, and close to the power source.
Parallel Layout
A parallel configuration is likely the easiest-to-do festoon light arrangement. Simply put them strung out beside each other.
Because of its simplicity, the parallel layout is the most common layout for festoon light arrangement.
Have you noticed it’s not a coincidence? You will find it in cafés, alfrescos, patios, and most outdoor settings.
Criss-Cross Layout
The layouts referred above are ideal for larger spaces.
But what do you do if you don’t have that luxury? Don’t fret – you can utilize a criss-cross layout.
As the term suggests, a criss-cross layout has your string lights crossing each other.
This option is especially useful if you want to avoid installing a ton of light fixtures.
How Do I Choose the Best Festoon Lights?
In the end, it’s your likes and dislikes that will determine the festoon lights that meet your needs.
Regardless, here are some things to think about that will help you come to an informed decision.
The Size of Your Garden
Do you enjoy inviting your friends over for pool parties or barbeques? If you do, you must have a pretty large backyard.
Houses with large outdoor areas need a lot more light so none of your guests are in the dark.
This also means you will need a proper layout for the larger spaces, like parallel arrangements or wedge-shaped arrangements.
Brightness – Fixed or Adjustable?
The sort of atmosphere you wish to create will affect how bright your string lights are.
If you’re throwing a lover’s party, you want dimmable lights or dispersed light since they will create an intimate and romantic setting.
If you choose to have your family over, you will rather install fixed bright light.
The same goes for friends over for a casual gathering.
What About Glow?
Today you have a choice of your favourite colour when buying festoon lights.
This is especially helpful to those who are picky about colours.
For example: People with a more outgoing or bold personality are likely to choose red and yellow or other vibrant colours; while cushy neutrals are generally in the grey and white scale.
Frequently Asked Questions About Festoon Lights
Here are some common questions about festoon lights.
What is festoon lighting?
Festoon lights enhance the atmosphere and look of outdoor spaces. They are generally larger than most other outdoor lights.
Can you replace bulbs on festoon lights?
The short answer is, it depends on the model. Some models will allow for bulb replacement; some models will not allow for bulb replacement.
Some manufacturers also allow for bulb replacements from specific companies too.
Therefore, it is always best to check the instruction manual or you could verify directly with the manufacturer before replacement.
Are festoon lights waterproof?
Typically, the majority of the models on the market are waterproof, at least to some degree.
This means that they can be used outside and can handle a good deal of rain.
But don’t expect them to function in areas that are flooded or completely submerged in water.
What Types Are Available?
The two most popular types of festoon lights are flush and hanging festoon lights.
In the case of flush festoon lights, the light fixtures attach to the power supply cable directly.
This style is a great option for illuminating billboards, deck roofs and signage edges.
On hanging festoon lights, the small cords attach individual light fixtures to the main power supply cable.
Wrapping Up
A simple decoration in the form of festoon lights, changed the whole area, replacing dullness with vibrant appeal.
These simple and affordable additions also add to the use of your outdoor space by allowing night creativity.
When added indoors they will accentuate other aspects of interior decor.
Like anything home decor related, there are endless options available to you, the decorating scheme can include round bulb, teardrop bulb and small round bulbs etc…
In the end, it comes down to what level of creativity resonates more with your individual personality.
That being said, the recommendation of experts, select options that use LED bulbs, over other types of light fixtures.
In addition to being cheaper, LED’s have amazing durability and design options of colours.
However, it also uses less electricity to run than competitors, fluorescent lights, to name one competitor.