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String lights are the cheapest way to make a small space feel like Christmas. They need no floor, they fit any shape of room, and one string can change the whole mood in the evening.
The two common mistakes are buying too few feet and hanging them without a plan. A little measuring first solves both.
Plan your lights first
- Work out the length. Measure the path you want, add 5 to 15 percent for sag and add the distance to the outlet. The string light calculator does the sum.
- Choose warm white. One color looks calmer and more expensive than a mix.
- Indoor or outdoor. Use only outdoor-rated lights outside.
- Power. Plug-in, battery and solar each suit different spots.
- Hanging method. Clips, adhesive hooks and tape keep walls and railings clean.
01Around a window
A string around the window frame is visible inside and from the street. Use clear adhesive clips so paint does not peel.
02A curtain of lights on a wall
A light curtain on a bare wall gives a backdrop for a sofa or bed. It covers the wall with no drilling.
03A tree shape on the wall
Run a string in a triangle on the wall, add a star and you have a tree with no floor space. See our tree ideas for a small living room.
04Over the bed or sofa
A string above the headboard or sofa back works as a soft light. Use battery lights with a timer so there is no cord to the bed.
05Inside a jar or a lantern
A short copper wire string in a glass jar becomes a night light. Cluster three on a shelf or table.
06Along the balcony railing
Lights along the railing are the quickest balcony upgrade. Clip them on and use a timer. More ideas in Christmas balcony decorations.
07Over the patio or pergola
Zigzag lights across the beams of a pergola, or hang a few parallel lines between two walls for a canopy. For more, read small patio lighting ideas.
08Wrapped around a faux tree
Wrap lights around a faux tree in layers, from the trunk outwards and back. Use about 100 lights for each foot of height.
09Garland and lights together
Weave a string into a garland on the mantel, a shelf or the stair rail. It adds depth and warmth to the green.
10Net lights on a hedge or fence
Net lights cover a bush or wall in one move. They are quick, even and easy to take down.
11A timer and a remote
A timer turns the lights on at dusk and off at night. A remote lets you control them from the sofa.
How many feet do you need?
- Window: 10 to 15 feet.
- Balcony railing: the length of the railing plus 15 percent.
- Faux tree (6 ft): 600 lights or about 70 feet.
- Patio canopy: the beam length times the number of passes.
Before you pay
- Check the plug type and the maximum number of strings you can connect.
- Use LEDs; they run cool and use little power.
- Do not run cords through doors that need to close.
- Wind the lights around a card when you store them.
