How to Install Christmas Lights: Indoor and Outdoor Tips

TL;DR:

This guide provides essential tips for safely installing Christmas lights indoors and outdoors. From gathering materials to planning your design, ensure safety with proper tools and installation techniques. Learn how to choose the right lights, secure them safely, and create beautiful holiday displays.

Are you eager to transform your home into festive displays that capture the magic of Christmas? Before you start decking the halls, it's important to know how to install Christmas lights effectively and safely. Creating indoor ambiance or spectacular outdoor displays both come with a few challenges.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with essential tips to ensure your holiday lighting is both beautiful and secure. Read on to learn how to stay safe and brighten up your home for the holidays!

Preparing for Installation: Safety First 

Unless you’re starting from scratch, your lights have probably seen some wear and tear. Your first step should always be a quick Christmas light inspection. Check for broken or shattered bulbs, broken glass, and sharp edges. Even a quick check can prevent a needless injury!

Next, check for damage to the electrical elements, including:

• Frayed wires
• Cracks in the sockets
• Broken cords
• Loose electrical connections

While you’re at it, we also recommend doing a quick inspection of electrical sockets and outlets. Even the briefest inspection can be enough to prevent an electrical fire.

If you notice any damage, we advise you to discard those lights and replace them. Ensure your replacements are rated for safety. Ideally, look for certifications from Underwriters Laboratory or Intertek.

Gathering Materials 

The job is much simpler if you have everything you need before you begin scaling ladders and untangling cords!

Here’s a basic materials list for installing Christmas lights:

• Christmas lights – most average-sized houses need approximately 500 lights for a satisfying outdoor display. Factor in trees and shrubs, too.
• Extension cords – Ensure outdoor cords are rated for outdoors, and indoor cords include surge protection for additional safety.
• Light clips, stakes, and hooks – Look for contemporary solutions such as magnetic clips to make the job easier.
• Ladder – A step stool may also be helpful indoors, depending on your goals.
• Timers – To save on electricity, use timers and smart plugs. They ensure your lights turn on and off on an automated schedule.
• PPE – Consider wearing safety glasses and gloves during installation to prevent injury.

For additional safety, we’ve found that Christmas light storage reels come in handy. Not only do they keep lights secure between seasons, they simplify hanging. Lights stay tangle-free, allowing for easy, speedy installation.

Planning Your Design 

Before you scale the ladder, it’s crucial to have a plan for how to install Christmas lights on your house. Make sure you know where all your power sources are located. Do your due diligence to keep your electrical costs affordable. Using energy-efficient lights, like LEDs, goes a long way.

How to Install Outdoor Christmas Lights 

Choosing the Right Lights for Outdoors 

Before you begin, ensure your lights are rated for outdoor use. Outdoor lights are created to withstand the elements, including winter rains and even snow storms. They are more durable and may include corrosion-proof coatings.

Be aware that, while you can safely use outdoor lights indoors, you should not use indoor lights outdoors.

Hanging Christmas Lights on the House 

Most pros recommend beginning with the roof. Specifically, focus on the eaves of your house. To attach the lights, use materials that are safe for both the lights and the roof without causing damage.

Common attachment methods include:

• Plastic light clips
• Adhesive light clips
• Magnetic light clips
• Zip ties
• Staple or nail guns

If you must use staples or nails, ensure they are insulated. Do whatever you can to avoid piercing the wires with staples or nails. If at all feasible, we advise using clips to prevent potential injury and fire risk.

If wrapping trees with Christmas lights, begin at the tree's base and wrap tightly. Choose mature trees that can withstand the weight of the lights plus the weight of snowfall, if relevant. Zip ties are the most efficient method of attachment for most trees and tree-like structures, such as columns and railings.

You can also use light stakes and ground-mounted fixtures to add interest to the lawn, driveways, and other planes. If possible, do not set lights directly on the ground. Even outdoor-rated lights often cannot withstand that level of moisture.

How to Install Indoor Christmas Lights 

Choosing the Right Lights for Indoors 

The most important factor when choosing indoor Christmas lights is fire prevention. LED lights have the highest energy efficiency rating and the lowest heat output. This reduces the risk of fire and makes them more environmentally friendly. As a bonus, they can also save you money on your electrical bill.

After that, you can consider aesthetic factors. Decide between warm, cool, or colorful indoor lights to change the tone of indoor spaces.

How to Install Christmas Lights Around a Window 

When installing Christmas lights around a window, we recommend hanging them indoors. You can use smaller, indoor-rated lights and won’t have to worry about the elements.

To hang the lights, you can use small adhesive hooks or even use suction cups directly on the glass. To keep them tidy, you can also use translucent tape to secure wires in place.

Lighting Other Indoor Areas 

Here are some final tips on how to install Christmas lights indoors:

• Consider draping lights across solid surfaces, such as the top of a tall bookshelf. This simple “hack” adds ambiance without the need for additional hooks and adhesives.
• Try wrapping lights around tension rods and curtain rods to illuminate windows, doorways, and other spaces.
• If you don’t mind pinholes, push pins are an easy and inexpensive way to secure smaller strands of lights to walls and moldings.
• Always clean the area before hanging lights, as dust and cobwebs can interfere with adhesives.

Are you ready to deck the halls and light up the night this holiday season? Browse our Christmas lighting options, including strands, hooks, replacement bulbs, storage solutions, and more! We wish you a merry and bright holiday season!