Who says Christmas lights are just for Christmas trees? In fact, why should they be limited to just one month of the year? Renowned designers around the world are using miniature white lights, traditionally used only for Christmas, to create unique and unforgettable statements in their clients’ homes.
But you don’t have to be a designer (or hire one!) to learn how to use Christmas lights to decorate your home. These versatile decorating tools can be used to create a whimsical look in a laundry room or bathroom, or a more formal look in your living room or dining room. Take a look at the suggestions below, and then explore your own home – are there any areas that could use a little “lighting”?
Your kitchen
Most kitchens are decorated to create warm and friendly environments where friends and family can gather and feel comfortable and at home. That is why they are the perfect environment for Christmas lights. We have all grown up with Christmas lights on our trees and we automatically relate to them with a feeling of warmth. Try stringing a strand around that tall plant in the corner or at the bottom of your kitchen shelves.
your dining room
A dining room is usually more formal, but that doesn’t mean you can’t use Christmas lights there, too. If you have formal curtains with a swag, try running a line of small white lights along the inside of the swag. It will create a demure lighting effect that your dinner guests are sure to love.
Your bedroom
A bedroom should be decorated with calm and tranquility in mind. Imagine snuggling under a canopy bed with lights trailing softly along the edge. If you do not have a canopy, you can create a “light forest” in the corner of the room. Simply place an odd number of large potted plants in the corner and string small Christmas lights around them. You can connect them all together for a more whimsical look or tie them separately for a formal design.
Room
If you want your living room to speak casually or even extravagantly, Christmas lights add a great effect. If you have a fireplace, consider placing the lights along the mantel and then decorate it with greenery. If you choose carefully the decoration that you place on top, it will not look Christmassy at all. For example, you can place modern statues along the mantelpiece or a rustic-style wooden decoration.
Your bathroom
Your bathroom is the perfect place for Christmas lights. But beware! This decorating idea is not for the faint-hearted or conservative. Especially if your space is small, Christmas lights can open up the room by creating an airy look. Start by placing the lights around the mirror and then along the cabinets. If you’re really daring, create a fabric wrap around your freestanding sink, then string a string of lights around it.
Yard
Finally, don’t limit your Christmas lights to the inside of your home. If you have a backyard garden, what better way to show it off than by illuminating it with some pretty lighting? Wrap trees, large shrubs, and pathways in traditional white bulbs, or go all out and use color-coordinated ones, too. (You’re no longer limited to red and green!)
However you use Christmas lights in your decorating styles, your home is sure to stand out from the crowd!
