9 Best Outdoor Christmas Lights Ideas That You'll Love

Holidays aren't simply for exchanging gifts and spending warm evenings by the fireplace; they're also the ideal time to turn your house into a joyous winter paradise. 

The choices are limitless, whether you want a basic arrangement or a stunning display. To help you with your holiday décor, we've gathered the best outdoor Christmas lights ideas. 

This article will explore the most mesmerizing and artistic ideas for Christmas lights outside house that will make your home the gossip of the streets. Let's get straight into it. 

1. Traditional White Lights

White Christmas string lights are a classic, elegant option for a beautiful yard display. These simple Christmas lights on the house can be utilized in multiple ways, such as emphasizing shrubs, wrapping trees, and outlining the rooftop or ledge. 

Best For: These lights are great for use as Christmas lights on small houses. You can create a minimalist clean design that showcases the architecture of your home.

These traditional lights also go great if you have a larger home. You can awe your visitors with either going minimal or over-the-top designs with the white lights.

Pro Tip: Use cool white lights for a stylish frosty glow inside your house, or pair warm white lights with golden ornaments for a cozier feel. Including a matching wreath with fairy lights promises a touch more magic.

2. Candy Cane Pathway Lights

Candy cane pathway lights are a fun and festive way to welcome guests to your front door. Their red and white stripes immediately evoke traditional holiday cheer, and you can use them to line walkways, driveways, or garden edges.

Best For: This idea is more suitable for larger homes or properties with a large drive and garden path leading to a seating area.

Pro Tip: To strengthen the candy cane effect, add oversized red and white bows alongside or desiring small Christmas figures like elves or reindeer.

3. Icicle Lights

Icicle lights dripping from your roofline bring a little winter wonder. These lights emulate the beauty of frozen icicles and create an incredible look when placed against a snowy backdrop. Who doesn't like the feel of a winter wonderland, right?

Best For: This idea of Christmas lights outside house is more suitable for high or multi-gabled rooflines of larger homes for the best visual experience. 

Pro Tip: Combine white and blue icicle lights for a look reminiscent of a frosty winter wonderland. If you reside in a milder area, combine artificial snow and icicle lights for the same enchanted effect. 

4. Projector Lights

Projector lights are another simple but powerful option for those who can install them. These devices are made to display festive images, such as snowflakes, reindeer, or stars, on the outside of your home, turning it into a canvas of holiday cheer.

Best For: This is one of the best ideas for Christmas lighting on small houses for maximizing decor impact without a lot of effort.

Projector lights can be used to efficiently decorate wide spaces without the need for multiple lights making it a great choice for larger houses.

Pro Tip: Look for projector models that offer multiple patterns and color options. For an interactive display, use projectors that sync with music for a lively light show.

5. Net Lights for Hedges and Bushes

Want simple Christmas lights on house? This idea is what you are looking for. Net lighting can be the easiest way to light up your yard if you are looking for Christmas lights outside of house. They're made to drape effortlessly over bushes, hedges, or small trees, delivering even, pretty illumination with minimal hassle.

Best For: This is best for larger homes that have yards with landscaping shrubs or hedges.

That doesn't mean you cannot use it in smaller houses. If you have a small house and are looking for a cohesive yet subtle lighting approach, these net lights should be enough.

Pro Tip: Choose multicolor net lights to create a playful atmosphere or monochrome tones like gold and silver for a more sophisticated look. Pair them with twinkling fairy lights for added texture.

6. Christmas Tree on the Lawn

Looking for unique Christmas house outdoor decor ideas? Dressing an outdoor tree is an excellent way to spread the holiday spirit to your yard. Whether you've got a towering evergreen or store-bought pre-lit tree, it's a showstopper.

Best For: This is best for larger homes with large front yards or open spaces that host holiday parties or outdoor gatherings.

Pro Tip: Decorate with oversized ornaments and weatherproof garlands for durability. For a little extra glam, add strobe lights to make them blink from miles away and catch your guests' attention.

7. Window Frame Lighting

Mounting Christmas string lights around your windows can improve the festive factor of your home with minimal effort. For a little extra flair, you can also add small wreaths, bows, or snowflake decals.

Best For: This idea focuses on the appeal of smaller dwellings, making it a perfect idea for Christmas lights on small houses.

In larger homes, this idea balances larger displays with a focus on details.

Pro Tip: Use multicolor lights for a playful touch or battery-powered lights to save on your electric bill. Layer the window lights with some curtain lights.

8. Curtain Lights on Porches

Need Christmas lights outside of house? Want something festive? Turn your porch or terrace into a magical getaway with some curtain lights. These cascading lights simulate the appearance of snowy precipitation and add a comfortable, inviting vibe.

Best For: Large houses with shaded porches or grand patios are best for curtain lights. This is great for hosting guests and decorating a space during the holidays.

Pro Tip: Layer curtain lights between garlands or fairy lights for added depth—dangle decorative ornaments or baubles from the curtain lights for an extra flair.

9. Light Sculptures

Looking for ideas of simple Christmas lights on house? This is it. Light sculptures on your lawn, such as glowing reindeer, Santa, or snowmen, can turn your house into the neighborhood's centerpiece.

Best For: These are best for houses with open, wide lawns. 

Pro Tip: Pair Sculptures with Animated LED Displays for a Cohesive, Professional Appearance. Use zip ties or clamps to keep them fastened tightly against winter winds.

Factors To Consider While Choosing Christmas Lighting Ideas For Your Home

Finding the correct lights to enhance Christmas lights outside the house is usually a must to ensure that you have the display that best fits your style and the magnificence of your lovely abode. 

1. Consider Your Home's Size

Wrapping simple Christmas lights on the house would be an excellent choice for smaller homes. Use lights around the exterior borders of the house, along windows, doors, and rooflines. More elaborate displays, such as light sculptures or layered lights on the lawn, are best suited to larger homes. These outdoor Christmas lights ideas are genuinely magical when done on the correct scale.

2. Decide on a Theme

Choosing a cohesive theme will improve the overall look of your display. Popular options include:
Winter Wonderland — Use cool tones, white and blue, with icicles and net lights for this. Old-fashioned Christmas – can be displayed best with red, green, warm white lights, candy canes, etc. For a Rustic Charm theme- mason jar lanterns, wreaths, and antique Christmas string lights can be used.

3. Energy Efficiency

Instead of standard lighting that can be risky and quickly cease functioning, use LED lights. Whether you're decorating Christmas lights outside of the house or wrapping trees, LEDs are brighter, safer, and more durable.

4. Durability and Weather Resistance

If you are affected by snow or rain, make sure the lights you choose are outdoor-rated. Many of the best Christmas home accessories have weatherproof construction and sturdy wiring to last through the season.

5. Ease of Installation

When adding festive lighting to a small house, think of easy-to-install options such as clip-on roof lights or battery-powered string lights. These make configuration straightforward while still having a great visual impact. For time-saving alternatives to more complex displays, think of projectors or pre-lit decorations.

6. Mix and Match Light Types

Deck out your space with a varied collection of lights. A roofline of icicles and some pathway lights to the front door are all right. These ideas for Christmas lighting will give your humble abode more character, and it will stand out!

Conclusion

Christmas lights can express your creativity and spread holiday cheer. You'll find no shortage here, whether adorning a small-scale abode with simple, charming lighting or taking your decorative efforts to the next level with fancy pants with oversized outdoor Christmas lights ideas. So get your lights together and light up your home in the holiday spirit!

Besides home decor, another must on Christmas is presents. If you are still struggling to decide what to buy check out our gift guide!