It's time to decorate the room, walls, fireplace, tree, and best of all, install Christmas lights! Decorating the outside of the house will show your Christmas happiness to neighbors or people who happen to pass in front of it. This is also an opportunity to show off the house a bit. You will have the most brilliant house among the rest with a little creativity and patience.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choose an Appropriate Lighting Display
Step 1. Match the look of the Christmas lights to the style of the house
Is the house modern, Tudor, or Victorian (classic and luxurious)? Is the house multi-storey or only has one floor? The appearance of the lighting should balance both the style of the house and the surroundings, without being flashy or distracting. Some considerations to keep in mind include:
- It's best not to have anything too "excessive" for a Victorian-style home. However, luxury is a key factor in decorating it. The more strings of lights around each architectural style the more it adds to the beauty of the home, making it the center of holiday bliss in the neighborhood.
- Ranch-style or single-story homes need lights around the perimeter of the roof, fences, and along driveways.
- Multi-storey houses basically require the same theory as a Victorian-style house, namely to make it less "overdone". Install lights along the perimeter of the roof, porch railings, and around the posts,
Step 2. Get some inspiration
If you run out of ideas, do a Google search or look in some magazines for ideas that might work.
Step 3. Walk around the neighborhood
Borrow ideas that catch your eye, but avoid copying other homes exactly. This will not look good for both houses. If you're new to the neighborhood, visit your neighbors and find out what people generally do with Christmas lights. You may find that the street around the house is a “must” street during the Christmas celebrations, and “everyone” will go all out to decorate the house with lights.
Step 4. Check out a home furnishing store, especially a luxury one
You will find brilliant ideas to decorate windows from inside the house. Decorating windows in this way becomes part of the view from outside the house.
Step 5. Go crazy
If you really want an eye-catching lighting display, consider installing a control system to make the Christmas lights go on with the music.
Part 2 of 3: Setting Up the Field of View and Illumination
Step 1. Check the lights before starting
Make sure the light is on and that no part of the cable is unraveling “before” carrying it up the stairs. Avoid repairing loose wires. Throw away the entire cable if you find a damaged part – it's not worth the risk of a possible fire.
Step 2. Find the closest resource from the edge of the roof
The closest power source may be on the foyer, as most homes don't have an outlet near the roof. Will require at least one additional good quality cable. Choose a cable for the exterior of the house that is suitable for the lighting and the weather it will endure.
- If you have a porch light that is protected from electricity, an outlet adapter can be inserted in the section, the power outlet will be placed between the lamp and the lighting fixture.
- If you have it outdoors, plug the extension cord from the wall outlet to the edge of the roof and keep it as close to the building as possible. Make sure the outlet is protected from rain, snow, and water emitters.
Step 3. Use the right equipment
Use a ladder that is sturdy and of good quality, and ask for help if you can. Outdoor lighting requires a lot of careful lifting, placement, and adjustment, which will be much easier to do with someone (or two) willing to help.
- Use a basket or bucket with handles to lift and lower material. Insert a nail or hook in the shape of a letter S on the ladder to hang a bucket of material.
- Limit the amount of going up and down using the stairs, but don't tilt your body to reach anything. Move the ladder when you can't reach the next position.
- Take one step of the design to completion before starting the next.
- Additional cables can be run through the window. The window may not be able to close completely, but airflow can be prevented with a towel.
Step 4. Install the locking device
Installing hooks or hangers in advance to hang additional wires and strings will make hanging the lamp a lot easier. Give the hook space equal to the distance between the bulbs on the string. (Complete this step completely before starting to hang the lamp.)
Keep in mind! While nails, screws, and other metal locking tools may seem like an easy solution, they are also a conductor of electricity, can rust, and leave holes in buildings. There are many products on the market that are made of rubber or rigid plastic that are designed to hang electrical wires. Ask a salesperson at a reputable hardware store. Explain what will be done with the string lights and additional wires. The price of a locking device made of rubber and rigid plastic is quite cheap and easy to install. Look for a locking device that is moisture resistant and has an adhesive on the back, which can withstand loads up to 4.5 kg
Part 3 of 3: Installing Lights
Step 1. Hang the lamp
Start at the power source and follow the locking device all the way to the end of the design. Hang one rope, then connect the next rope from end to end. Don't take shortcuts by connecting all the ropes together. Do not connect more than three sets of ropes together, otherwise there is a risk of overload and a risk of fire.
Make sure the light string cable is tightened using a locking tool. You definitely don't want the wind, birds, little animals or even Santa to kick it
Step 2. Check the results
Get down, turn on the light, and stand some distance from the house. Check the uniformity. Ask for other opinions from family members or neighbors. Good work!
Step 3. Once you're done with the outline of the roof, decorate the rest of the house elements
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Pole:
Combining a string of lights with a traditional Christmas wreath (real or artificial) will allow you to beautifully wrap the pole (barber pole style). The extra garland of flowers will help prevent the string of lights from slipping, and add a bit of charm too!
- If a small amount of adhesive is needed, apply a small, removable adhesive wax to the hidden area behind the garland string. Removable adhesive waxes are available at reputable hardware and crafts stores.
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Porch Fence:
Open baluster style: Using the same technique as the barber's post with the garland of flowers, wrap the string of lights at the top and bottom of the fence. Glue as needed with removable sticky wax.
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Porch Fence:
Use a rubber or plastic peel-off adhesive, previously applied to the roof liner, along the top of the foyer railing (which is half the wall height). Note: this type of adhesive may not work on concrete or plaster coatings.
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Window:
Place the lights around, above, and below the window in the same way as to frame the window.
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Fence:
Use the same technique as for the porch railing.
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Trees:
There are all kinds of solutions for trees. Whether using a traditional winding, as is done on a Christmas tree in the house, or using a net of lights that hang from the top of the tree. It is also possible to use a single strand connected to a high-strength extension cord with multiple outlets, then trace the tree roots using a white or colored light. Use plastic-coated tie wire to tie the lamp to a tree branch.
Step 4. Sit back and enjoy the holidays
Tips
- There are also those who use too many figures, deer, and other eye-catching page ornaments. One thing is for sure, keep the page tidy.
- LED lights are brighter and energy efficient compared to older types of Christmas lights.
- Keeping a close eye on the appearance of the neighboring lighting will help give it a look that is in harmony with the surroundings.
- Simple is better. Don't make your house too flashy like the sun. Not only is it a waste of electricity, but it can also annoy neighbors. The house will look better if it is lit, but there is no need to overdo it.
Attention
- Yard ornaments (snowman, Santa, reindeer) are a clever and interesting choice. Be careful, especially if you have a small yard as it gets crowded quickly. Remember to keep children and visitors safe. The intricate network of power lines hidden in the yard can be dangerous for people and pets alike.
- Beware of lead exposure. There is a small amount of lead in the PVC insulating material commonly used in Christmas light wires. If you are concerned about lead exposure, even in small amounts, wash your hands after installing the lamp – or wear rubber gloves.
