Santa

How can Christmas lights be utilized indoors to add a subtle ambience to a room without being overpowering?

Would it be better to use the Christmas lights that come in tinted shades and give off a soft light orange light as opposed to white light or other colors? I don't want it to look like a Christmas decoration/theme or look tacky. Also, what are some safety precautions to keep in mind when decorating with them? Are they a fire hazard if draped over fabric, for instance?

Public Comments

1. I have often decorated tall indoor plants with those tiny white lights. They give off a soft light that doesn't look particularly Christmasy. I usually leave them on throughout the nite as they light the way to other parts of the house when all is dark in the middle of the night. I wouldn't use them over fabric for any length of time as they might scorch the fabric if it came into direct contact.
2. I always think that that looks tacky. Please rethink.
3. The mini white lights add a lot to a room. I have an artificial Ficus tree in my living room, which is decorated with mini white lights. With the other living room lights turned off, it makes the room very relaxing. I would not drape the lights over fabric, to be on the safe side.
4. I would go white, solid, motionless, mini lights. A good way to add subtle lighting would be to coil them along the trunk and branches of an indoor tree/plant. Usually plants are kept in the corner, so it would be less distracting than having them hung or draped around the room.
5. I have seen the mini lights tucked into tulle ( netting like bridal veil netting ) and this looks pretty on a mantel or even as part of a tablescape. Especially if you use a dark tulle. Navy blue makes it looks like starlight. You can buy the tulle on rolls that are about 6 inches wide at fabric stores. Just make it poufy around the lights and it is a very pretty effect.
6. Though Christmas lights can look tacky, they don't have to if you treat them right... I have a friend who wanted some funky lighting. We bought a really nice clear glase vase. And then we dumped the lights into it. He set them on a shelf in his bookcase... It is great mood lighting! Enjoy!
7. I have a bridge over my kitchen sink. I wrapped artificial greenery with a string, and then wrapped the whole thing around the bridge. GREAT at 3:00 in the AM