How to decorate a window with Christmas lights

How to decorate a window with Christmas lights

The strings of bright glowing lights are must-have around the holidays. Windows aglow with colorful lights create a festive mood. It is easy to adorn your apartment in that fashion – just choose a type of string lights and carefully fix them to the window.

Types of string lights

These days, you can find a ton of different electrical string lights in the stores. They can be in a simple string with the lights, a beautiful cellular net, or even in the shapes of New Year’s characters. To find the best option for you, you should consider all the types.

Before going to the shop, decide how you will decorate the window. Will you run a single line along the top, make a spiral, or cover the entire window with the gleaming fringe? Or choose the lovely shimmering LED net?

Pay attention to the types of lights used in the string, too. Simple and cheap models are usually equipped with the small electric light bulbs. But LEDs are surely the better choice for a string.

Compared to the simple bulbs, LEDs are more efficient, burn out less often, and endure external forces better – added benefit in case you are going to place the decoration on the outside of the window.

Length of cord, configuration, and technical specification may also vary. Measure the length and width of the window in advance in order for you not to buy too short or too long a model.

The electrical string lights are as follows:

  • Single string. The cord with lights that can function in several modes. Luminous elements are hidden inside of different figures (snowflake, star etc). It is the most popular type suitable for windows, interior, Christmas tree decoration etc.
  • Net lights is designed as interlaced wires. The net is usually rather wide and lengthy and is often used for decorating storefronts and large windows at home. LED net covers the entire window so there is no use in additional decoration.
  • Icicle lights. It looks like hanging strands of different length with same distance in between, usually of the same color. Shorter fringes are used for awnings, longer ones for windows and doors.
  • Rope lights is a flexible luminous tube, designed to create signs and various figures.

While choosing the length, take into consideration the fact that the decoration will slack a bit and will not be as tight as a string. If you decided to decorate the window with a cord string light in an S or Z pattern, calculate the length of the string in advance. Net lights also come in different widths and lengths, so make sure to have the measurements ready before you buy.

Decorations like net or icicle lights are a great choice for windows. The net fills the space entirely and looks spectacular. It is a self-sufficient decoration, so you don’t need to decorate the frame.

Bear in mind, you shouldn’t stick anything else to the glass or draw on it, otherwise, the window area will look overloaded.

How to attach string lights?

There are different ways to attach string lights to the window. Choose the method based on how large and heavy your decoration is. The material of the frame also matters. If you choose net or icicle lights, make a solid fixing, or the decoration may fall down and hit something on its way down.

If you want to decorate the window with the lightweight single cord string lights, you can hang it with regular tape. It would work well if the cord goes alongside the curtain rod or hangs down from there. Attach the ends of the light string to the ends of the curtain rod with clear tape, that should hold the lights in place.

If the accessory is very light and short you can attach it to the window by sticking the ends of the cord with double-sided tape. The method is suitable for plastic frames. Wrap the ends of string lights with clear tape to prevent it from coming unstuck.

Those having wooden frames can turn to metal pins – they are easy to stick into the wood and you can attach string lights to them. This only works if the decoration doesn’t weigh too much.

Special hooks sold in household stores are a rather reliable way of attaching the lights. The back side of the hook is sticky and bonds well to any surface. To fix them to the frame, you need to remove the protection layer.

Using the hooks is really easy. Just hang the ends of the cord on them to adorn your window. There are also hooks on transparent suction cups that can clip even to the smooth surface of plastic frames. To hanging LED net lights, stick the hooks along the edges of the window.

To decorate the window frame with large and heavy structures (such as net or icicle lights), you should attach them with something more reliable. If your interior allows it, you can drive a couple of small nails on both sides of the frame, and a few more in between those. Secure the cord to the nails, or attach it to them with thread (or tape).

If nails are not an option, there is an alternative: run a fishing line or solid cord along the top of the window frame or near the curtain rod and hang the string lights on it. Carefully wrap the ends of the cord with tape.

Useful tips

Before decorating the window with the string lights check to see if they work. Switch to different modes to make sure it is ok and all the lights burn fine.

See if there are any defects on the wire. It is very important as you deal with an electrical appliance that can easily burn out or catch fire.

Before you start hanging the string lights, check where the closest receptacle is. If the cable is too short to reach it you will have to find an extension cord.

Place the mode switch so that it is convenient to use. It shouldn’t be very high up, or you risk dropping the whole thing while reaching for it. Don’t put it on the floor as well, so you do’t accidentally step on it and break it.

If you want to hang the string lights properly think of the type of decoration and attachment method in advance. Always meet safety standards working with electrical appliances. Prepare for the celebration prior to it so you do not to rush at the last minute.

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