Everyone knows that there's nothing like some good lighting to brighten up your outdoor space, give your garden a glow-up and create a warm and inviting atmosphere for your home. Festoon lights - the traditional large glass bulbs that are making waves in the decorative lighting space - are the go-to option for all your lighting needs. In this blog, you'll find out everything you need to know about festoon lights!
What Are Festoon Lights?
Festoon lights are multiple globe-like light bulbs hung between two structures - also known as party lights or bulb string lights. The word “festoon” actually derives from the Latin word “festum” which means “feast”. So think 1950’s American fairgrounds! Nowadays, festoon lights are made for much more than just outdoor spaces like festivals, breweries and events… They make for beautiful outdoor lighting and decorative lighting within your own home or garden.
Festoon lights are a versatile type of lighting and come in different shapes, lengths and colours and can be used for different purposes, depending on your needs and preferences. Looking for more environmentally-friendly lighting? Solar powered lights or energy saving lights are for you. Wanting a unique aesthetic? Why not try vintage festoon lights? Specifically need outdoor lighting? Shatterproof bulb string lights are the way. We think you get the picture.
Why Use Festoon Lights?
Well, aside from the extra illumination to your home and the brightening up of your outdoor spaces, festoon lights are relatively easy to set up and use.
The festoon light bulbs are your standard bulb screw-in (no fancy techniques needed) and each bulb connects to its own element, meaning that if (on the off chance) one bulb blows, it is easily replaceable and will not affect the rest of the bulbs on that string of lights.
Festoon lights are also perfect for both indoor and outdoor lighting as they are weatherproof, safe and durable. You can connect multiple bulb string lights - up to 15 units with our plug-in festoon lights - and truly spruce up your bedroom or brighten up your indoor and outdoor spaces.
If you’re looking specifically for outdoor lighting and do not have a plug point, the solar bulb string lights are amazing. Not just because they are energy saving, but because you can connect up to 3 bulb string lights units, which automatically turn on as the sun sets and turn off at sunrise.
How Do I Choose Festoon Lights?
When selecting festoon lights, there are a few things you'll want to keep in mind. First, consider the space you're working with. How large is the area you're trying to light? What's the height of the ceilings? You’ll want to plan and measure the size of the space and then you can determine how many sets of lights you'll need (remembering that you can always connect multiple bulb string lights for your larger outdoor spaces or garden)
Next, take a look at the style of your home or garden. Are you going for a more rustic look, or something more modern? There are festoon lights available in a variety of styles to suit any aesthetic. Do you want warm white festoon lights or frosted glass bulb string lights?
Finally, think about how you'll be using the space. Are you looking to create a relaxed atmosphere for entertaining guests? Or do you need bright, task-oriented lighting for working on projects in the yard? Again, there are different types of festoon lights available to suit your needs.
With these factors in mind, choosing festoon lights should be a breeze. No matter what your style or needs, there's a set of lights out there that's perfect for you.
How Much Festoon Lighting Will You Need?
When it comes to festoon lighting, it's important to know how much you'll need to properly light up your space. This guide will help you calculate the right amount of festoon lights for your garden or home (or even an outdoor party!)
To start, determine the size of the area you wish to light up. Then, use the following formula to calculate the number of festoon lights you'll need:
(Length of area in metres) x (Width of area in metres) x (Number of desired light bulbs per metre) = Total number of light bulbs needed
For example, if you want to light up an area that is 5 metres long and 4 metres wide, and you want 4 lightbulbs per metre, you would need a total of 80 light bulbs.
Once you know how many festoon lights you need, you can figure out the bulb string lights you would like to purchase - and how many. Our solar-powered vintage bulb string lights, for example, are a total of 5 metres long with 16 bulbs, whereas our teardrop festoon lights are 10 metres long and contain 10 bulbs per unit.
Now that you know how to calculate the number of festoon lights you need, choose your favourite style and get started on creating a beautiful and illuminated space!
Extra Long Length Festoon Lights
When it comes to outdoor lighting, festoon lights are some of the most versatile and popular options. Not only do they look great, but they are also extremely practical, giving you the perfect way to light up your garden or patio.
If you are looking for something a little different, then extra long length festoon lights could be the ideal option. These lights are available in a range of sizes, so you can choose the perfect length for your needs. They are also super easy to install, meaning you can get them up and running in no time at all.
Not only do extra long festoon lights look great, but they are also extremely practical. If you have a larger garden or patio, then these lights will give you plenty of light to work with. They are also brilliant for parties and events, providing a fun and festive atmosphere.
As we mentioned, you can connect up to 15 of our plug-in festoon string light units, giving you <100m of decorative lighting for your outdoor space, walkway or home. Alternatively you could go for energy saving lighting and connect up to 3 units of our solar-powered bulb string lights, affording you approximately 30 metres of bulb string lights to play with, depending on the type you choose.
How To Hang Festoon Lights?
How do you actually hang festoon lights? It's actually not as difficult as you might think. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- Choose a location. Festoon lights look great just about anywhere, but you'll need to pick a spot that has power nearby. A deck, patio, or porch are all great locations.
- Decide how you want to hang the lights. There are a few different options here. You can use traditional string lights, which come with clips that make hanging them easy. Or, for a more vintage look, try using pulleys or a clothesline. For outdoor lighting, make use of trees and other prominent structures as supports for your lights.
- Start hanging! Once you've decided on your method, it's time to start hanging the lights. If using string lights, simply clip them onto the desired location. You’ll get a feel for the stability of your set-up and can adjust accordingly.
Find some inspiration in one of these twelve ways to hang your bulb string lights.
Solar Festoon Lights
Solar festoon lights are a great way to save on energy costs, as they rely on the sun for power. There are some big benefits to solar-powered lighting including safety, ease of use and eco-friendliness. They also don’t require any wiring, making them simple and quick to install and set up.
One of the best things about solar festoon lights is that they can be used in a variety of ways. Hang them from trees, pergolas, or gazebos for an instant party atmosphere. Line walkways or driveways for added safety and visibility. Or create a cosy seating area in your garden by hanging them around your patio furniture.
It’s no wonder solar festoon lights are a popular choice for lighting up any outdoor space. Using solar power, this type of lighting does everything you need it to, without compromising the environment! If this type of outdoor lighting speaks to you, check out some more tips on how to effectively use solar-powered lighting.
How To Use Festoon Lights In Your Garden
Festoon lights are the perfect way to add a touch of style and elegance to your garden. They are versatile and can be used in a variety of ways to create the perfect ambience. Here are some tips on how to use festoon lights in your garden:
- Hang them overhead. Festoon lights look great when hung overhead. You can use them to create a romantic mood or a festive atmosphere.
- String them along a fence or wall. This is a great way to add some extra light to your garden while also creating a visual boundary.
- Use them as path lights. Festoon lights make great path or walkway lights. You can string them along the sides of a path or driveway to provide extra light and safety for guests.
- Make a statement with them. Use festoon lights to make a statement in your garden. Hung from trees, they will definitely turn heads and add a wow factor to your space!
Whether you’re trying to add a touch of class to your garden party or simply wanting to light up your home in a new way, festoon lights are a versatile and stylish option. With so many different ways to use them, it’s easy to find the perfect way to incorporate these beautiful lights into your life. Check out some of our favourite festoon lights here.