24 Christmas Lights Outside Ideas

It’s almost that time of year again when the Christmas lights come out and we decorate our homes for the holiday season.
You can have the most beautiful decorations in the neighborhood, but none of that matters if you don’t have good Christmas lights outside ideas.
1. Keep it simple

When it comes to outdoor Christmas lights, you can’t go wrong with a classic look.
This home features a simple string of white Christmas lights along the roofline,
which is an easy way to add a festive touch to your home without going overboard.
If you want to keep things really simple, you can even find lights that match the color of your roof!
2. Try to use the same type of light

Using the same type of lighting throughout your display will help you create a cohesive look.
While it’s perfectly fine to mix and match the types of lights you use, just be sure to do so in a balanced way.
In this display, we used both icicle lights and string lights, but we kept the colors consistent and balanced the two types of lights throughout the display.
3. Use an outdoor power strip

You can plug in up to 15 strands of lights, but most homeowners will need a power strip to plug in all of their lights.
Even if you only need to plug in a few strands of lights, a power strip is a good idea.
This allows you to plug in more than one strand of lights at a time, which means you won’t have to worry about running out of outlets.
Plus, you can use a power strip with a built-in timer to automatically turn your lights on and off.
4. Use a light timer

If you’re anything like us, you’ll know that setting up the lights is the fun part. But taking them down? Not so much.
Using a light timer will save you the hassle of going outside to switch them on and off each day.
Most light timers can be set to come on and switch off at specific times, so you can program them to suit your schedule.
Just make sure you choose a weather-resistant model if you’re using it outside.
5. Safety first

If you’re hanging lights at a height or using a ladder, make sure you have someone to spot you and hold the ladder steady.
Make sure the ladder is on level ground and that the person holding the ladder is wearing gloves.
Use clips to hang your lights, not nails or staples. This will help prevent damage to your home and your lights.
And be sure to use extension cords that are rated for outdoor use.
6. Measure the area you want to cover

Before you buy your outdoor Christmas lights, measure the area you want to cover.
This will help you determine how many strands of lights you need and how long each strand should be.
It will also help you figure out where to place your lights and how to space them out.
If you’re not sure how many lights you need, a good rule of thumb is to use 100 lights for every 1.5 to 2 feet of space you want to cover.
For example, if you want to cover a 10-foot area, you would need 500 to 700 lights.
7. Use a sturdy ladder

We get it, you want to get the job done as quickly as possible, but using a sturdy ladder is key to staying safe when hanging Christmas lights.
Make sure you have a ladder that is tall enough to reach your roofline and make sure it is sturdy before climbing up.
If you don’t have a ladder, you can rent one from a local hardware store or you can call in a professional to help you.
8. Make sure to secure the lights

A house with lights that are perfectly straight and evenly spaced looks amazing, but it takes a lot of work to get it that way.
If you’re not up for the time and effort required to make your lights look that perfect,
try this simple method to get a more relaxed look without making it look like you just threw the lights up.
Start by securing the lights at the beginning and end of the area you want to cover.
Then, simply let the lights drape over the bushes and secure them at the end of the area.
This will create a more relaxed look and is a lot easier than trying to measure and space out the lights just right.
9. Check the lights before hanging them
Before you hang the lights, make sure they all work. The easiest way to do this is to plug them in.
If you have a lot of lights to check, you can use a light tester.
This will tell you which bulbs are burnt out and need to be replaced.
If you have traditional string lights, you can replace individual bulbs. If you have LED lights, you’ll have to replace the whole strand if one bulb is out.
10. Have fun with it
The most important thing about putting up your Christmas lights is to have fun with it. Your home is your masterpiece, so don’t be afraid to get creative.
If you’re feeling a little lost, we can help you find the perfect design for your home.
Just answer a few questions about your home and your lighting preferences, and we’ll show you a variety of options to choose from.
Conclusion
We hope you found some inspiration in this article, and we hope you have fun decorating for the holidays! Don’t forget to take a look at our Christmas lights and outdoor Christmas decorations to get started.