Have you ever bought two different boxes of white outdoor Christmas lights, then discovered they look completely different? It can be frustrating to deal with the inconsistency in colors all labeled the same, so we've put together a guide to help you navigate the Christmas lighting world.

Why Should I Use White Christmas Lighting?

When you think of Christmas lights, you probably think of those bulky, strawberry-shaped multicolored lights. While they may be known as characteristic lights, there are several reasons why you might consider using white lights. Here are a few of the top reasons.

No matching is required

When you deal with multicolored lighting, you may have clashing colors or patterns that don't match the decor of your house or the interior of your home. With white lights, you can match any decor without making adjustments.

Excellent Combinations

While white lights can match any color, they also pair well with the different materials your house may be made out of. White lights complement glass, gold, silver, or bronze, making them perfect for most Christmas decorations.

Ambiance

Colored lights may give a playful feel to the decor, but they can easily overpower any other aspect of your decorations, like your Christmas trees. White lights will give your decor a gentle, glimmering ambiance without overwhelming other aspects.

Types of White Lighting

There are three main differences between white Christmas lights; mismatching them will lead to different shades of white that can look tacky. Here is a quick guide to help your decision when choosing white lights.

Warm White

Warm white lights are the most popular white light variety. They have a slight yellow hue, which gives them a warmer look. Unfortunately, each manufacturer uses different amounts of yellow in their warm white lights, which makes matching difficult. If you're trying to match warm white lights, ask for a sample to compare to the lights you already have.

Pure White

Pure white lights have no additional color added, leaving them completely white. While many people like them, they can also seem harsher compared to warm white lights, which have a softer glow. However, because these lights have no added colors, they are much easier to match between manufacturers.

Cool White

Cold white lights will have a slight blue hue added, which gives the light a more icy appearance. Be thorough when researching cold white Christmas lights because they are often misrepresented as pure white. While there are inconsistencies between manufacturers with cold white lights, it is less of a problem than with warm white lights.

Incandescent Bulbs vs. LED Bulbs

There is a big debate between incandescent bulbs and LED bulbs. Many lean toward incandescent bulbs simply because they are less expensive than LED bulbs. They are also easier to match across manufacturers.

However, most incandescent bulbs lean toward the warmer side of a color, which makes finding pure white or cold white incandescent lights difficult. LED lights, while more expensive, use less power and offer a sharper, clearer color. LED lights also have a longer bulb life and higher illumination intensity.

What Lights are Best for the Outdoors?

The best outdoor lights are typically thought to be warm white LED lights. The warmer white colors give a more inviting glow, and the LED bulbs will be power efficient and last longer. They also look great when paired with the dark green hues of Christmas wreaths. When shopping for outdoor lights, always check whether the lights were designed to be used outdoors. For example, indoor lights won't be able to handle harsh weather conditions, whereas outdoor Christmas lights are designed to be waterproof and durable with changing weather in mind.

How Should I Decorate with White Christmas Lights?

There are many different ways to decorate with Christmas lights inside and outside your home. While there is a traditional Christmas tree decoration, many other options exist. Inside your home, you can string lights along shelving, the railing of your staircase, lining windows or doors, draped across walls, and more.

People usually use fairy lights or string lights inside their homes. You can also put an outdoor string light along your roof for the outdoors, framing your doorway or windows, over trees or bushes, and lining walkways and railings. People lean toward the more novel lights for outdoors when decorating.

Types of Lights

Most people are familiar with the small lights usually put up alone on rooftops, but there are many different kinds of lights. Here is a quick guide to the different lights to help you make the best decision.

• String Lights: Christmas string lights are the traditional garland of lights with transparent bulbs spaced symmetrically along the cord. They are the most common types of lights and are typically used to light a space.

• Fairy Lights: these are very similar, but their purpose is more for decoration than illumination. A fairy light strand is usually spaced much closer together along the cords.

• Net Lights: Christmas net lights are lights placed along a net of cord that is usually placed over a bush or tree or hung from a wall. They are known for being fast and easy to install.

• Hanging Lanterns: Hanging lanterns can be actual lanterns hung along a cord or similar large lights. They are popular for backyards or decorations at weddings.

• Icicle Lights: Icicle lights are shaped like hanging icicles. They are mostly used outdoors, hung from rooftops or tailings.

• Dangling Lights: Dangling lights are a series of small cords hung from one major cord. The lights dangle below the main cord and can swing freely.

• Light Curtains: Light curtains are a much larger form of dangling lights, which hang cords of lights that stretch from floor to ceiling.

• Wreaths: Wreaths are typically associated with Christmas and are a circle of lights, usually wrapping a hoop of garland or tulle. They are usually hung from doorways.

Should I Get My Lights Professionally Installed?

There are many benefits to hiring a professional light installer as opposed to doing it yourself:

1. You can guarantee you'll have a great-looking house with carefully designed placements of lights and color.

2. You can avoid unnecessary emergency room visits from tumbles off ladders.

3. Holiday lighting professionals will help with interior and exterior lights, and the pricing will vary depending on the decorations' extent and the house's size.

How Can I Install Lights Myself?

If you're feeling particularly festive and motivated, you can try setting up your own LED Christmas lights. When creating your own lighting design, remember that placement is everything. Lights are designed to compliment the exterior of your home and draw attention to important places, such as entryways. Ensure you're using the correct lighting, such as waterproof outdoor lights.

Putting up your own lights also means you can create fun structures or unique styles. If you choose to put up your own lighting, make sure that you take safety precautions. Never install lights when it is raining, snowing, or icy, and always have a spotter on hand when using a ladder.

Why Get Permanent Lights

Permanent lights are becoming increasingly popular since the work required to put up and take down the lights is eliminated. Permanent lighting saves you time every year, saves money from needing to buy new lights, and requires little maintenance. You can also customize permanent lighting with timers, colors, patterns, and more to prepare you for every holiday and season.

Jellyfish Lighting

JellyFish Lighting is a permanent, color-changing LED lighting system for the exterior of homes. We’re the last lighting solution you’ll ever need-and we’ve got happy customers to prove it. Check out Jellyfish Lighting to see our unlimited multicolor LED string lights for any holiday season—Christmas, Valentine's, Game Day, Halloween, or any other occasion. Contact us today for a customized Christmas light quote and see your home in a new light.