It's time for decorations, red tablecloths and, above all, for Christmas lights. Decorating the exterior of your home is a personal way to wish happy holidays to neighbors and passersby. It is also a chance to show off your home a bit. With a little patience and a bit of creativity, you can literally make your home brighter than any other.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Lights
Step 1. Choose the lights according to the style of your home and what predominates in the neighborhood:
avoid decorations that are too tacky. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:
- If you live in a house of your own with two or more floors, opt for simple and elegant strings of lights that you will place around all the architectural elements: your home will become the festive landmark of the neighborhood!
- If you live in a single-story house, place lights around the roof, entrance, and fence.
- If you live in an apartment, place lights on the balcony and around the windows.
Step 2. Find inspiration
If you run out of ideas, do a Google or magazine search.
Step 3. Take a walk around your neighborhood
Borrow the ideas that inspire you the most, but avoid completely copying the decorations from another home. If you've recently moved, visit your neighbors to find out what their Christmas decorating habits are. Maybe you may find that the street you live on becomes an attraction over the holiday season and that everyone tends to overdo it a bit when it comes to Christmas lights.
Step 4. Take a tour of the shops that sell household items, especially the more elegant ones
You will find great ideas for lights to decorate the inside of the windows. This treatment becomes part of the outside view.
Step 5. Don't be afraid to overdo it
If you really want to create a fantastic play of lights, consider connecting the lights to a control system to make them flash to the beat of the music.
Part 2 of 3: Prepare Lights and Installation
Step 1. Examine the lights before starting
Make sure all of them are working and that the wires are all healthy before going up the stairs. Avoid repairing damaged strings. If you find any, throw them away to avoid the risk of a fire.
Step 2. Locate the electrical outlets closest to the roof
They will likely be around the porch, since many homes do not have outlets near the roof. You will need at least a good extension cable. Choose an outdoor electrical cable that is compatible with lighting and can withstand the weather conditions it will be subjected to.
- If you have installed outdoor lights that are sheltered from wind and rain, you may be able to place a power strip between the socket and the lamp.
- If you have an outdoor outlet, plug in the cable and arrange the extension wire along the roof line, keeping it as close to the building as possible. Make sure the outlet is protected and secure.
Step 3. Use the right tools
Use a sturdy, reliable ladder and get someone to help you if possible. Decorating the exteriors requires a lot of precision work and even effort, which becomes more manageable with a person or two giving you a hand.
- If you work alone, use a basket or bucket with a handle to move everything you need. Put a nail or S-hook on the ladder to hang it.
- Limit the times you go up and down stairs, but avoid leaning too far. When you can't reach a point, move the scale.
- Complete one phase of the project before moving on to the next.
- You can run the extension through a window. You will probably not be able to close the window completely, but you can block the drafts by using a towel.
Step 4. Install the screws
The pre-installed hooks will simplify the process. Space the vines evenly thinking about the distance between the bulbs of the strings of lights (totally finish this step before hanging them).
Note: While nails, screws, and other metal elements seem like the easiest answer, remember that these objects are conductive of electricity, oxidize and leave holes in the structure. There are many products on the market made of rubber or heavy plastic designed for hanging electrical cables. Look for them at the hardware store, explaining the use you will make of them. They are inexpensive and simple to install. Opt for the water resistant ones from the detach-and-attach back, which can hold up to 4.5 kg
Part 3 of 3: Place the Lights
Step 1. Hang the lights
Start at the power source and follow the vines to the end. Do not overfill the corners and do not connect more than three sets together, or you risk overloading or starting a fire.
The lights must be well attached to the vines - you don't want the wind, birds or other animals and Santa Claus to make them fall
Step 2. Check the final result
Go down the ladder, turn on the lights and walk away from the house to look at them - they must be uniform. Ask a family member or neighbor for a second opinion.
Step 3. Once the roof line is complete, decorate the other architectural elements
- Columns: Combine the strings of lights with a Christmas garland (real or fake) and wrap the entire column. The weight of the garland will prevent the lights from slipping. This decoration also gives a touch of extra panache.
- If you need a pinch of adhesion, secure the garland with the slip - you can find it in home improvement stores or hardware stores.
- Balconies: Place the lights and a garland on the railing and stop everything with the slip.
- On the balcony wall, use rubber or plastic roof screws to secure the lights, although they may be ineffective in contact with concrete or grout.
- Frame the windows with lights.
- Fence: use the same technique used for the balcony.
- Trees: there are a variety of solutions. You can decorate them as if they were Christmas fir trees, buy light nets that cover the entire plants, or place strings of different lights, white or colored. Use plastic-coated rubber bands to attach them to the branches.
Step 4. Relax and enjoy the holidays
Advice
- LED lights are more vivid and waste less electricity than traditional ones.
- Be minimalist: your home won't have to compete with the sun! Avoid consuming too much electricity and blinding neighbors.
- Many people exaggerate with lights and outdoor decorations: everything must be essential and discreet.
- Get together with the neighbors to create a unified look.
Warnings
- Garden decorations (snowmen, Santa Claus, reindeer) attract everyone's attention, but don't fill the space too much and take into account the safety of your children and your guests. Hidden power cords in the yard can endanger other people and pets.
- Watch out for lead exposure - this metal is contained in the PVC used to make most Christmas lights. If you are concerned, wash your hands immediately after handling the threads.
