DECORATING YOUR HOUSE can be a tricky task – what can make the process easier?

Each fortnight, Laura de Barra brings her lifestyle and home maintenance expertise to the Glenveagh Home Magazine on TheJournal.ie – and this week she’s sharing her advice for lighting up the outside of your home for Christmas.

Every neighbourhood has one. The house that can be seen from space due to its overload of Christmas lights.

Maybe that’s the look you’re going for this year, or perhaps you’re aiming for something a little more low-key, but are still wondering where to start with hanging outdoor lights and decorations.

First of all, we need a safety chat here. Outdoor lighting is designed to be able to withstand rain, moisture and battle the elements. You need to be super sure everything you are using, from extension leads to bulbs, are compliant and made for the outdoors. If you are not sure, ask and check when you are buying them and for the love of God, make sure they all have the right approval marks on them. Safe is chic after all. 

Now, with that out of the way, here is my guide to helping you achieve your simple outdoor look without having to screw into walls or call in an electrician. 

First, measure distances 

Always measure the length of the lighting required as well as the distance from the power source or hanger. It will help you select your lights and assess your power options and hangers properly. 

Decide how to power the lights

When it comes to powering your lights, you can opt for mains supply (using the power from your gaff), or battery operated. I prefer battery, as it means I am fully aware of what it is costing me and it means less wires, trip hazards and blown circuits. 

If you do have the means to supply from your mains, go for LED lighting, as these use less power, last longer and don’t generate as much heat. Always be aware of how much power you need for your lights and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance. 

Battery operated lights will usually have a timer option so you can set them to come on each evening and there is no remembering to switch them off. 

Then test before you hang 

Before you hang, plug in the light to test it all works okay. Hanging your lights, then testing to discover it won’t work, will be super frustrating. 

Shutterstock / mooremedia Shutterstock / mooremedia / mooremedia

Choose which types of lighting you’ll use

There are so many options to choose from that don’t need super strength hangers drilled into your walls, but these are the most popular:

• Plain string lights that you can wrap around trees or along doors and windows or sitting along windowsills.

• Shaped string lights, like icicles, figures, stars that are perfect to hang from gutters or fences

• Grass/ plant pot lights that have poles at the end that mean it’s easy to slot them into your garden lawn or soil in plant pots 

• Tube lights that can be wrapped or shaped to create your desired look and are very light weight

• Figures that can sit on grass or steps and are usually either weighted or have rods to secure them

Shutterstock / V J Matthew Shutterstock / V J Matthew / V J Matthew

Watch out when you hang them up

You will need to be aware of a few things here, from the weight of your lights to potential damage caused by hangers. For instance…

• What are you hanging lights from? Can it support the weight of the lights easily, can you distribute weight evenly?

• How much can your hanger hold? Most hangers will have an ideal weight on the packaging, do not exceed this. 

• Damage potential. Most stick-on hangers are best stuck to wood or PVC for a few reasons. First, you won’t pull away paint when you remove it. Second, their flat surfaces mean it can stick properly. Pebble dash, painted surfaces and brick are harder for the sticky tabs to grip onto. 

• What will you use to hang the lights? Avoid using Sellotape or indoor sticky tabs, as they won’t last. I love outdoor gutter hooks, as these can be used to hang string lights from fences too.  

• You’ll also want to make sure you don’t have any trip hazards, overloading of sockets, or windows needing to be left ajar for wires. 

Let’s get hanging

If you are using a ladder, be aware of how to use it correctly. You should be on a level, solid surface and with someone holding the base – and those are just the start of the safety tips. This is worth researching yourself so you make sure you’re being as safe as possible.

Sketch out your idea first, then make a hanging order. It will help enormously to have a hang plan in place. You’ll be able to see any problem areas quickly and have everything to hand. 

And of course, don’t put yourself at risk by hanging out a window. It’s not worth it.

Or skip the hanging altogether and go with a projector

Lastly, if you are renting and can’t hang lights due to your lease or, like me, want the effect without the faff, you might have a look at battery operated outdoor projectors. 

These can cost as little €10! You stick them in the ground or tie them to a fence facing your gaff, and they project a Christmas display. Depending on the quality, price and position, they can light up the whole front of your house and you can change the display, timing and colour to your preference. You can even buy ones that have Halloween options so you can use it for more than just Christmas. 

Laura de Barra’s book, Gaff Goddess, will be published in February 2020 by Transworld Ireland. Pre-order it here – and follow her on Instagram for even more cleaning and lifestyle tips.

More: 8 magical Christmas decorations you’ll find on the high street now, as chosen by designers