How to Hang Fairy Lights

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Fairy lights can refer to any type of string lights, including Christmas lights, that are used year-round to decorate your house and garden. They can also refer to miniature string lights with tiny LED bulbs and battery packs. Regardless of the type of lights you are using, there are lots of different, creative ways in which to hang them.

How to Hang String Lights

Hang up your fairy lights with nails, thumb tacks, or wall hooks. Secure the lights to the perimeter of your chosen wall, but leave the bottom edge along the floor empty. Leave the hanging lights as is, or clip on special items like Polaroid pictures, postcards, and more.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Choosing and Securing Fairy Lights

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  1. Standard-sized fairy lights or Christmas lights may look fine on a tree or large wall, but they will look bulky on smaller items, such as house plants or small mirrors. It would be a good idea to use miniature fairy lights with tiny bulbs for these types of items.
    • Fairy lights that plug into an outlet are great for large spaces, such as walls and trees.
    • Fairy lights that are battery-operated work best for small items, such as mirrors.
    • Netted fairy lights typically come in standard size, so they'll work best on larger items, such as ceilings and shrubs.
  2. Christmas fairy lights typically come with a green wire. While this may look great on a tree, it won't look nice on a wall or around a mirror. Instead, choose fairy lights whose wire matches the item you are hanging them from. For example, if you are hanging fairy lights from a white wall, choose ones that have a white wire.
    • If you can't find any, try fairy lights with silver or gold wire; avoid the green wire seen on most Christmas lights.
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  3. What you use to hang the lights with depends on what you are doing with the lights. Use clear, self-adhesive wall hooks (i.e. Command hooks) on walls, mirrors, shelves, and items you do not want to ruin. [1] Use nails or thumb tacks for all other items, including outdoors. [2]
    • Match the color of the nail or thumb tack to the color of the wire.
    • Drive the nails or thumb tacks between the twisted wires. Never drive them through the wires.
  4. If you don't have access to an outlet, use an extension cord that matches the wire color. Alternatively, you can purchase battery-operated fairy lights. They come in standard bulb-size and mini-bulb size.
  5. Don't leave a battery pack dangling against a wall, as this can tear the wire. Instead, secure it to the wall with a strip of adhesive Velcro. If you are using the lights to decorate a shelf or mirror, you can hide the battery pack behind an item that's on the shelf or counter.
  6. Choose outdoor lights when decorating your porch or garden. Not all lights are made to withstand the weather. Even if you live in a dry climate where it seldom rains or snows, you still want to use outdoor lights. Many places get humid in the evening and early morning, and the resulting dew can short-circuit standard lights.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Hanging from Walls and Ceilings

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  1. Hang a long strand of standard-sized lights in a vertical zigzag formation, then secure photos to the wires with mini clothespins. Alternatively, you can hang several parallel rows of lights for larger displays. Leave enough space between the rows for the photos. [3]
    • This is a great way to share memories during weddings, anniversaries, and graduations.
  2. Use a pencil to write the word you want on your wall in cursive. Use nails or thumb tacks to secure the lights to your wall, following your traced lines. Space the nails closer together in areas with tight curves and loops. [4]
    • You can use this method to create a simple shape, such as a heart. [5]
    • You can use standard-sized or miniature lights for this.
  3. Install a short curtain rod on your wall. Wrap standard-sized fairy lights loosely around the rod so that they drape down like icicles. Next, wrap a mirror garland around the rod in the same fashion. When you turn the lights on, the mirrors will glitter and reflect. [6]
    • You can use icicle Christmas lights instead. You won't need to wrap them loosely because they already have the right shape.
    • A mirror garland is a long piece of string with tiny mirror circles or squares glued to it.
  4. Use nails, thumb tacks, or wall hooks to secure the lights to the perimeter of your desired wall. Secure the lights to the side and top edges of the entire wall; leave the bottom edge along the floor empty. [7]
    • This works best with string lights that have to be connected to an outlet.
  5. Use nails or thumb tacks to pin the lights in a zigzag across the width of your hallway's ceiling. Start at 1 of the narrow ends, and finish at the other narrow end. [8]
    • The closer you pin the strands together, the brighter your ceiling will be.
    • Save time by using netted or latticed fairy lights. Make sure that the width of the net matches the width of your porch or ceiling.
    • You can use this method outside under porch roofs. Make sure that the lights are suitable to go outside. [9]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Illuminating Furniture

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  1. Use nails or thumb tacks to secure the lights to the wall around the mirror. You can pull the strands taut for a sleeker look, or you can let them coil into spirals for a fuller look. If you can't find lights with white wires to match your wall, get ones with silver wires to match your mirror instead. [10]
    • You can also secure the lights to the frame of a full body standing mirror instead. Use nails or thumbtacks for wooden frames, or wall hooks for plastic/metal frames.
  2. Remove the backing from your shelving unit first. Get a strand of latticed or netted fairy lights, and slide them behind the shelving unit so that they replace the backing. Secure the lights to the wall behind the unit with nails. [11]
    • If there are any lights sticking out from the sides of the unit, fold them behind the unit.
    • Use a hammer to pry the nails out of the shelf backing first, then pull the backing off.
  3. Use clear hooks or nails to secure standard-sized fairy lights to the edges of your shelves. If you are working with an entire shelving unit, secure the lights to the top and side edges. If you are working with single wall-mounted shelves, secure the lights to the front and side edges. [12]
    • Connect multiple wall-mounted shelves by nailing the wire to the wall behind them. Make sure that the nail goes between the twisted wires, not through them.
    • If you are using battery-operated lights, hide the battery pack behind an item on the shelf.
  4. Buy or make a simple ring-shaped chandelier, and suspend it from your ceiling. Loosely wrap several strands of standard-sized or miniature fairy lights around the chandelier. Battery-operated lights work the best for this, unless you have an outlet in the ceiling for standard lights to plug into. [13]
    • Make a simple chandelier by painting a hula hoop black or white, then suspending it from the ceiling using 3 to 4 chains and a large ceiling hook.
    • If you are using battery-operated lights, hide the battery pack between some lights on the chandelier.
    • Decorate the chandelier further with moss and fake flowers for a floral chandelier.
  5. There are lots of ways you can go about this. If you have a wrought-iron headboard, you can wrap standard-sized lights around the spokes and rails making up the headboard. If you have a canopied bed, you can try any of the following: [14]
    • Wrap long strands of lights around the tall bed posts.
    • Drape latticed or netted lights across the top of a sheer canopy.
    • Wrap the lights around the frame, and let them droop from the curtains.
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Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Hanging Fairy Lights Outdoors

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  1. Fairy lights aren't just for Christmas trees; you can use them to light up your outdoor plants as well. Choose lights with a gold wire, and wrap them around a tree trunk. You can also use lights with green wires on plants and shrubs. [15]
    • Wrap small, delicate lights around indoor plants and small trees, such as a ficus. [16]
  2. Use a hammer and nails to secure 1 end of your lights to 1 tree, and the other end to another tree. Hang the lights tall enough so that you can walk under them. You can use standard-sized fairy lights, or you can use ornamental garden lights instead. [17]
    • This works best with trees that are close together. If you have to connect 2 or more strands together, the trees are too far apart.
  3. Choose fairy lights with a wire color that closely matches the tone of your arch. Wrap the lights around the top of a pergola or arch. Secure the lights at both ends with nails. [18]
    • Use lights with silver or white wires for white pergolas and arches. Use lights with gold wires for brown (unpainted wood) pergolas and arches.
    • If your arch is curved, rather than square, you can wrap the lights around the sides as well.
  4. Buy 2 strands of standard fairy lights and 2 strands of ornamental fairy lights. Hang the lights on your exterior wall in rows, alternating between fairy lights and ornamental fairy lights. You can pull the lights taut to create straight lines, or give them some slack to create swooping drapes. [19]
    • Examples of ornamental lights include orbs, bells, lanterns, pinecones, and other interesting shapes.
    • Standard fairy lights are the incandescent ones that look like Christmas lights.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Are fairy lights a fire hazard?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    There is a possibility of fire hazard if the lights are not hung properly or if there is a fault in them. Choose brands that are reputable and sold in reputable stores. Prefer LED lights in fairy lights over other lighting types, because LED lights do not tend to overheat and are therefore safer from a fire hazard perspective. Turn the lights off when you're not in the room where they're hanging.
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  • Question
    Why do fairy lights stop working?
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    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Over time, fairy lights can suffer from wear and tear, environmental damage and loose or failed components. Bulbs can break, the wiring can come loose or fray, sockets or bulbs become loose, the plastic might melt, etc. Lower-end fairy lights may be poorly manufactured and not intended to last long, while bad positioning of fairy lights or rough handling/storage can damage the lights. Some damage can be mended; see How to Fix Christmas Lights to see if your lights can be repaired.
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  • Question
    Can I hang fairy lights outside?
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    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
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    Check the packaging, as this will confirm whether or not the lights are suitable for outdoor use. Some fairy lights (usually the small and delicate ones with special shapes) are only meant for use indoors. If you are in doubt, or don't have the packaging, you could ask a retailer that sells fairy lights for advice or only use the lights indoors. If used outdoors when they're only meant for indoors, the lights will likely stop working once rained on or after experiencing temperature extremes. Fairy lights with solar attachments are fine for outdoor use, as they need to sun to power the solar attachment.
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      Tips

      • Some people have been able to secure fairy lights to walls and other items with poster putty. This only works for small, lightweight strands of lights. [20]
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      • LED lights are generally safer because they do not get as hot as the standard incandescent ones.
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      • You can find lots of fairy lights in craft stores, hardware stores, and garden supply shops.
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • You could also use neon lights instead of fairy lights! They are smoother but give off the same soft glow as fairy lights do.
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      Warnings

      • Never leave lights on if you won't be at home. Always unplug them or turn them off before going to sleep or leaving the house.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Fairy lights
      • Wall hooks, thumb tacks, or nails
      • Hammer (if using nails)

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      References

      1. ↑ Gino Colucci. Home Improvement Specialist. Expert Interview. 14 January 2021.
      2. ↑ https://www.festive-lights.com/blog/home-lighting/how-to-hang-fairy-lights-without-nails/
      3. ↑ https://petitandsmall.com/how-to-decorate-fairy-lights-kids-rooms/
      4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slQifMY4KUA
      5. ↑ https://petitandsmall.com/how-to-decorate-fairy-lights-kids-rooms/
      6. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slQifMY4KUA
      7. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/campus/a35813/fairy-light-home-inspiration/
      8. ↑ https://petitandsmall.com/how-to-decorate-fairy-lights-kids-rooms/
      9. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slQifMY4KUA
      1. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slQifMY4KUA
      2. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/campus/a35813/fairy-light-home-inspiration/
      3. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/campus/a35813/fairy-light-home-inspiration/
      4. ↑ www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g2794/decorating-ideas-christmas-lights/?slide=20
      5. ↑ http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g2794/decorating-ideas-christmas-lights/?slide=4
      6. ↑ http://www.countryliving.co.uk/homes-interiors/gardens/how-to/g78/fairy-lights-garden-ideas/
      7. ↑ http://www.countryliving.com/home-design/decorating-ideas/g2794/decorating-ideas-christmas-lights/?slide=3
      8. ↑ http://www.countryliving.co.uk/homes-interiors/gardens/how-to/g78/fairy-lights-garden-ideas/
      9. ↑ http://www.countryliving.co.uk/homes-interiors/gardens/how-to/g78/fairy-lights-garden-ideas/
      10. ↑ http://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/worklife/campus/a35813/fairy-light-home-inspiration/
      11. ↑ https://www.festive-lights.com/blog/home-lighting/how-to-hang-fairy-lights-without-nails/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To hang fairy lights, start by choosing lights that are proportionate to the item you're attaching them to and match the color of the wire to the item's background for the most seamless look. You can use nails, thumb tacks, or clear wall hooks to hang the lights on a wall, or you can frame a mirror, bookshelf, or other piece of furniture with a strand of lights. Additionally, draping fairy lights around your bed or crisscrossing the strands on your ceiling can create a cool-looking alternative to a traditional night light! For tips on hiding battery packs, read on!

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