Christmas Lighting Trends & Ideas

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Make Christmas extra merry and bright with these lighting trends and ideas. From cutting-edge smart lighting to charming, illuminated figures, Balsam Hill has everything you need to capture the essence of a warm and cosy Christmas.

A family sits on the floor next to a brightly decorated Christmas tree with red and blue lights, surrounded by gifts. The living room features festive decorations, including a wreath and garlands, with a cosy atmosphere.

1. App-Controlled Pre-Lit Christmas Trees

Balsam Hill’s Twinkly Christmas trees give you full control to design your lighting display straight from your phone. This smart lighting technology uses a Computer Vision Mapping System, allowing you to change light colours, animate patterns, and even sync the show to music with just a few taps on the Twinkly app.

A garden pathway lined with decorative lanterns shaped like snowmen.

2. Sustainable Lighting

Many people are now embracing more eco-friendly ways to celebrate. This includes choosing energy-saving LED light strings instead of traditional incandescent Christmas lights or exploring solar-powered outdoor lighting options.

Keen to give it a go? Consider solar pathways or stake lights for this year’s outdoor decorations or switch to a pre-lit tree with LED lights.

A festive front verandah decorated for Christmas, featuring a red door, a green wreath, small, decorated pine trees, and lanterns with lights.

3. Fairy Lights

Though small in size, LED fairy lights make a big impact; they’re incredibly versatile too. Cluster them on displays or wrap them around wreaths and garlands for a soft, timeless glow. You can also fill lanterns or hurricanes with fairy light strings to brighten up table centrepieces, the mantel, or verandah steps.

Indoor Lighting Ideas

It’s all about creating a cosy and magical space with these on-trend Christmas lighting ideas.

A decorative golden owl figurine surrounded by shiny tree and mushroom ornaments in various colours.

Lit Figurines

Light-up glass or ceramic figures, such as mini trees or charming animals, add a whimsical touch to your Christmas displays. Place them on mantels, console tables, or around the base of the Christmas tree for added charm.

A warmly decorated staircase featuring festive wreaths and garlands adorned with greenery and red berries, along with softly glowing candles and a cosy bench at the bottom.

Staircase Lights

Don’t overlook this prime decorating spot. Line the steps with lanterns filled with fairy lights, hurricanes, or LED candles for a warm, inviting glow.

A festive fireplace decorated with a greenery garland, a wreath, lanterns, three stockings, a small Christmas tree, a lit-up village display, and wrapped gifts.

Flameless Fireplaces

If you have a faux fireplace, decorate the mantel and hearth with LED candles, light-up decorations, and fairy lights to create a festive focal point, no need to tend to a fire.

Outdoor Christmas Light Ideas

Share the joy of Christmas from the moment your guests arrive at your door.

A tree adorned with twinkling fairy lights, surrounded by green leaves with a wooden fence in the background.

Cascading Lights

Drape cascading light strings over tree branches, verandah beams, and other outdoor gathering areas to create a soft yet festive ambience.

A cosy outdoor seating area features two chairs with blankets, a stone fireplace with a fire burning, and decorative lights including illuminated trees and hanging ornaments. A coffee table with cups sits in front of the chairs.

Illuminated Shapes

Outdoor-safe LED lights in festive shapes double as functional décor. Hang them or display them on the verandah or in the yard to create a rustic, cosy atmosphere, perfect for celebrating with loved ones.

A house decorated with green and red Christmas lights, featuring a lit Christmas tree in the yard and another visible inside the home, set against a night sky.

Dramatic Façade

Make your home the standout on the street. Use Twinkly light strings to design a custom light show, turning your façade into a dazzling display.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Christmas Lights Are in Fashion?

App-controlled and smart LED lights are a leading trend, giving you complete customisation of colours, patterns, and music sync straight from your phone. Eco-friendly options like energy-efficient LEDs and solar-powered lights are also gaining popularity for a more sustainable display.

Can You Mix Warm and Cool White Christmas Lights?

Yes, mixing these light types creates a dynamic, layered effect. The cosy, classic glow of warm white lights contrasts beautifully with the crisp, modern feel of cool white for added visual depth.

What Are the Different Christmas Light Themes?

Popular themes include traditional red, green, and warm white combinations, minimalist styles with cool white and blue, bold monochromatic schemes, retro designs with oversized bulbs, and whimsical setups using multicolour or colour-changing lights.

What Is an Alternative to Christmas Lights?

Consider illuminated décor like lanterns filled with battery-operated string lights or themed light projectors. For a non-electric touch, flameless LED candles, glass orbs, and decorative lanterns offer a warm, welcoming glow.