Christmas lighting guide

Outdoor Christmas lights

The snow forms a glittering blanket. The stars twinkle in the sky. It is completely silent. And in the midst of this wonderful atmosphere, you can add the most beautiful accents with your outdoor Christmas lighting! It's not just something for your eyes. With atmospheric, perfectly placed outdoor lighting, you can also make your neighbors' Christmas hearts leap for joy! A classic choice here is the outdoor string lights from IKEA. You can use them all year round, but in winter they automatically become Christmas lights. If you want something a little more festive, you can of course also look for special Christmas string lights. Star-shaped lights in different colors create even more atmosphere. Solar Christmas lights are a clever option, especially if you want to use a little more Christmas lighting. They don't need a power connection at all, but draw their energy from sunlight. And believe it or not, even in the often dreary winter, there is always enough sunlight for modern solar lamps. Where can you get these energy savers? IKEA has them in many shapes and colors. By the way: when it comes to lights that need electricity, it's smart to choose LED. Compared to conventional light bulbs, they consume 85 percent less energy and last up to 20 times longer! However, one thing applies to all outdoor lamps and lights: safety is a must. And that's what we're going to talk about now:

Only use weatherproof Christmas lights

First and foremost: only use weatherproof Christmas lights outdoors. You can recognize these by the IP code. IP stands for "International Protection." The code IP 44 is the protection class that outdoor lighting must have. It indicates that your lights are protected against splashing water and moisture ingress (this is indicated by the second digit, i.e. 4; the first digit indicates protection against foreign bodies and access, i.e. contact with fingers or tools). Lights that do not have an IP code should never be used outdoors.

Protect sockets from moisture

Exposed sockets do not mix well with snow, rain, and moisture. That's why you should protect all sockets that could come into contact with moisture. For example, with a hinged cover, or by installing special garden sockets. Also, make sure that you do not connect fairy lights directly, but to a separate circuit that you can switch on and off with a switch in the house. This will help you avoid short circuits. Avoid using extension cords It's tempting to run extension cords through the garden and decorate the hedge at the very back of the garden with sparkling fairy lights. But extension cords are dangerous. Fairy lights are perfect systems with coordinated light and voltage. If more lights are added, there is a risk of fire because the transformers can burn out. Extension cords that lie directly on the ground can also be damaged, leading to short circuits. Therefore, it is better to avoid using extension cords. A good solution for places you want to illuminate but cannot reach without an extension cord is solar outdoor lighting! All it needs is the sun—then it lights up all by itself. Pay attention to protection classes and safety seals We have already told you about the protection class. You will usually find the protection class on the packaging, but if this is no longer visible, you can also check the cable label. If it does not say IP 44 (or higher), the light is not suitable for outdoor use! Another seal you should look out for is the GS mark for "Geprüfte Sicherheit" (tested safety). This certifies that the lighting complies with DIN and E standards, among others, which are required by law. In short: the protection class plus the GS seal give you a real feeling of safety. Check Christmas lights for damage The best protection class, the strictest safety seal, and all the tips and tricks in the world won't help if a supposedly safe element is damaged or faulty. That's why you should always check all outdoor lighting (including non-Christmas lighting) for cable damage before use. Especially at Christmas, pay attention to missing bulbs in fairy lights. If bulbs are missing, it can be dangerous because the remaining lights can overheat – it is better not to use the fairy lights in this case. Of course, these two tips also apply to indoor lighting!

Indoor Christmas lighting

So we've shown the outdoor area in its best light – now let's move on to indoor lighting. If you want to decorate your living room for Christmas, there are lots of details you can or should consider. For example, remember that even the most beautiful lighting won't do any good if the rooms aren't festively decorated, tidy, and staged. What exactly does that mean? Give your home a thorough cleaning at the beginning of December. Put away everyday items for the holidays and replace them with home accessories that exude Christmas charm. At IKEA, for example, you'll find wonderful design highlights inspired by the natural beauty of Iceland, just in time for the Christmas season. And of course, you can't forget cookies, biscuits, and other treats – preferably scattered around the living room for easy access. You should also stock up on cozy pillows and blankets. Only those who can snuggle up can truly enjoy the Christmas season! Back to lighting: whether it's artistic star-shaped lamps that look great in front of windows or on the ceiling, or elegant chandeliers that bring cozy Christmas light into the dining room or living room – at IKEA you'll find your festive lighting. Ideally, you should use lots of candles in addition to electric lights. String lights also look great indoors. For example, you can use them in the hallway or entrance area to immediately put guests in a festive mood. Another tip for Christmas interior lighting: use lots of indirect light. This is light that does not shine directly into the room, but onto ceilings and walls, where it is reflected and illuminates your home in a soft, warm, and gentle way.

Illuminated Christmas decorations

You can also illuminate decorations. And how! Christmas decorative lighting usually functions as accent lighting, designed to highlight individual areas. You can install LED light strips in hidden locations to indirectly illuminate the nativity scene that you have assembled or selected beforehand. Beautiful lamps in Christmas designs also help to bring decorations and lighting together. A star-shaped lamp that provides light and doubles as a decorative piece? Bring it on! Available at IKEA during the Christmas season, of course. Fairy lights wrapped around wooden Christmas decorations also create a wonderful effect. Perhaps you would like to carve reindeer, stars, or miniature Christmas trees out of wood together and then decorate them with LED lights? Another classic is the Christmas wreath. You can buy one from us and then decorate it with lots of different IKEA elements. Finally, top it off with real candlelight or sparkling, warm LED lights – and your classic decoration is complete. Whatever you decide, whatever your festive lighting ends up looking like, we wish you and your loved ones a wonderful and peaceful Christmas season!