I know most of of use string lights during the holidays, but did you know these pretty little sparklies can light up your decor all year round? Upscale hotels and restaurants use them indoors and out, regardless of the season. So we thought we’d inspire you to using these little beauties all around your home! Using starry string lights to decorate brings style and light into your decor, for minimal effort and cost… Check out these guidelines and ideas!
String Light Decor Ideas
Safety : Most ordinary holiday style mini lights are safe to use indoors year round. However, if you are using them next to anything flammable, we recommend you consider using LED versions… In fact, we recommend that anyway! They are much cooler in temperature, and they save energy and they last forever… They have come down considerably in price in the last few years as well.
Firefly Lights : One of the newest types of string lights are called firefly lights. They are smaller lights on inconspicuous wires that are a much cleaner look than traditional mini lights. They can come with an attached battery pack for areas that have no power plug ins, and those packs usually have timers so you never forget to turn them off! (If you use traditional string lights, consider getting a timer you plug in to the wall, then plug the lights into, at the hardware store.) Look at your craft stores, or online for firefly lights. Love these for string light decor! In fact, check out our DIY Christmas tree using only firefly lights! (And don’t forget to save the idea for next holiday season!)
Keep it Consistent : Remember to match the cord color to the color of the item in the daylight. Don’t run a dark corded string light around a white post, or a white string along a dark wall.
Ok, onto some great starry string light decor inspiration!
String Light Wrapped Branch
From ‘Annaleena’s Hem’ (sorry their site doesn’t seem to be working), this idea involves bringing in a large branch, and simply wrapping it with lights… then leaning it in a corner. What is easier than that? And it look’s so elegant!
Fairy Light Outlined Mirror
Another example of ‘Restoration Hardware‘s’ starry lights, this time wrapped around a mirror. I love this idea because just like candles, the light is reflected in the mirror, and makes the effect seem doubled! Great for a small home, too!
From ‘Design Sponge‘, another mirror wrapped with string lights… it just glows!
String Light Word Designs
This “yum” sign is a cute idea by ‘Apartment Therapy‘ for the design office. Photo by Sarah Rainwater. Hooks or even push pins could help create any word that works for you! Mine would be “hope”…
More word designs with firefly lights this time. By ‘Urban Outfitters‘…
Starry String Light Photo Hanging
From ‘Lights 4 Fun‘, use indoor fairy lights to hang photos from clips… perfect idea for a teen room!
String Light Decor Ideas with Rope
‘A Merry Mishap‘ has a DIY tutorial for you on how to make this DIY rope light strand. Nice string light decor project that adds a little texture and creative charm!
Glassware Filled with Firefly Lights
Restoration Hardware ran their starry lights into glass cloches. Simple! Got a spare glass cake stand around? Mason jars?
Wall Curtain String Lights
‘Junkaholique‘ takes it all one step further and covers a whole wall with string light decor. This curtain of string lights made this hallway area go from the most boring room in the house, to the least!
String Lights For Bedroom
Got a bed canopy that needs some magic? Then do like ‘Get out of this place‘ did, and use string light decor! This would be a good place for cooler LED lights…
Another idea for bed canopies and string lights… however, we found this on Pinterest, and cannot find the source! Since someone shared it on Pinterest with the intent of… well, of sharing, we didn’t want to leave it out! Does anyone know the original source of this photo? If so, please share in comments so we can give proper credit! In case you can’t tell, the lights were strung on top of the canopy, so they show through when lit, but not as obvious when they aren’t.
Here’s another string lights in the bedroom decorating idea. From ‘Mrs Jones‘, two towel rings mounted on the ceiling, fabric, and LED string lights… Your own starry night!
These next few are great inspiration, but we’re at a loss as to where they come from, except Pinterest! 🙂
More words in lights!
Behind a canopy, just in the back…
String Lights On Headboard
Love how they put these wonderful starry string lights behind this headboard giving it such glowing depth!
String Light Decor Ideas – Outdoor
From ‘Steven Michael Photography‘ (we think), this proves that string light decor ideas don’t have to remain indoors! Take it to your outdoor rooms in the warmer months for relaxing evenings…
Hopefully these all give you some great ideas to create your own starry night, with string light decor! We think you will also love out posts on DIY Canopy Bed Ideas and Decorating with Branches! Also check out our very own DIY Mason Jar Luminaria for the holidays and How To Install LED Strip Lights on our sister site TBD! And check out our very own 15 OutdoorLighting ideas, DIY Globe Christmas Light Hack and How To Install Low Voltage Outdoor Lighting over at TGG!
How do you get the lights to stay at the top and not fall down to the base of the glass containers. I am sure they have to be attached somehow. Glue or what? Anyone with ideas.
I was thinking the same thing. My thought is to take some clear gorilla glue and put a few drops on the end and a few more a few inches further down. Then carefully dropping into the bottle just far enough for the glue on the wire to touch. Maybe even getting a thin dowel rod to push the wire with glue against the glass. Let it sit until dry and hopefully it will hold on place.
Year round! SO true! We see them in weddings ALL the time! I think because they are SO neutral in color (the white ones, of course) They match SO many other wedding decorations SO well! Love this list of décor examples!
How do you keep the fairy lights from falling to the base?
Author
Which photo Wanda?
The lights are beautiful, maybe one day when we settle down somewhere.
Thank you.
I clicked on the Restoration Hardware link, and unfortunately it says the firefly lights are no longer available. They’re so pretty; maybe someone else carries them now.
Author
We found similar lights at our local craft store, Hobby Lobby even carries a similar product!
Your home looks so charming, I can’t believe you can make it yourself. I like your bedroom and the trees
Can you please tell me where I can but some plug in Fairy lights? I am wanting a large amount. I just do not know where the best place is to order them.
Author
We find our at our local craft store, Target carries some types, don’t forget to check their garden section!
Amazon carries many different brands and types. However, be very careful as you will find light sets labeled as you want but they are something entirely different so pay close attention to the pictures which are accurate.
Hi! How did you do the dream writing?
Author
Im sorry, its not our project so we don’t have that info… sorry we couldn’t be more helpful!
WHY do you show a project without instructions on how it is done? IF you want to present something that is going to draw folks to you, at the least make the effort to get permission to reproduce the instructions for the project. Otherwise, don’t show it!
Author
We shred bloggers projects here- Most bloggers don’t allow their instructions to be copied, simply a link to be provided… They deserve to get the traffic to their own projects! When we have a project of our own, we do indeed provide instructions. Each project does have a link back to the instructions from the original blogger. All you have to do is click!
This is without a doubt one of the most charming and gorgeous DIY projects I have ever seen. My personal favourites are the first picture of the mirror and fourth one of the bed- they look really inspiring. Awesome ideas and thanks for sharing your work 🙂
Hi. Where did you find the type of glass globes with a base? It is gorgeous! I have never seen this type of globe. Thanks.
Candace, the domed glass globes you asked about are made to protect things like clocks, ballerinas, sculptures, dolls and collectors items like that.
Look up “glass domes” or “glass cloche” and you will find a lot of different companies where they are sold. They come with wooden bases or no bases, and in sizes from 1 inch to 24 inches or more. Prices can be $20.00 more or less, depending on size. They are even sold on Amazon.
Pier ! has them in all sizes with medal base.
So beautiful. Simple but very effective. Thanks for this article
Thanx..Those pics are gorgeous!!