How to Decorate with String Lights in Your Home

Learn how to decorate with string lights to add ambiance and bling to any room in your home with helpful design tips.

Times have changed and so have string lights. No longer are they relegated to just holiday displays. Now they come in a variety of designs, shapes, and sizes. And, best of all, many can be used indoors and out.

Interior designers will tell you that sometimes simplicity is key toward achieving a wow factor in a room. The same can be said with lighting. Sometimes all a room needs is a single string or pop of colorful light in order to cause the unexpected.

10 Ways to Decorate with String Lights in Your Home

Indoors or out, string lights beauties can change the mood from sophistication to whimsy, with a flick of a switch.

If you want to add some drama and effect in your home and garden, check out these handpicked lighting favorites:

1. Moroccan Lamps

Your indoors can be exotically transformed within minutes with these seductive Moroccan silver bauble lights.

Decorating Tip: String around a doorway or capture the bunch in a hand wrought bowl. Seen below – laid out gently on a table.

2. Whimsical Lantern Lights

Add a bit of the outdoors to your cabin or your child’s bedroom with these whimsical lantern lights. They’re definitely kid-friendly and fun to take along on camping trips.

RELATED: DIY Hula Hoop Outdoor Light

3. Solar Starfish Lights

These starfish lights glow with the beauty of the beach. Best of all, they are solar powered. String them around a hot tub or arrange these to light up your favorite beach shells.

4. Retro Edison Lights

Indoors or out, I’m loving the vintage vibe of these Edison lights. With vibrant strands of hand-woven Tungsten filaments, your gathering space will glow with amber appeal.

5. Handmade Paper Lights

As soon as I saw these handmade paper elephant lights, my thoughts went to a baby nursery. What a beautiful accent that can be lit in place of a nightlight until baby’s asleep.

6. Oriental Lamps

You’ll feel the Zen of these oriental-inspired lanterns. They’re beautiful strung across long expanses or gather together in a loose arrangement.

7. Flower Lights

I’ve seen these lotus flower lights gathered together like a leis, surrounding a centerpiece on a dining room table or strung out across a room in a show-stopping display of colored lights.

8. Solar Dragonfly Lights

This dragonfly string light set will bring good luck as gentle accents in kids rooms or patio areas.

Decorating Tip: For a totally elegant look, cascade your string lights around a 4-poster bed: Draped Lights via Mrs. Jones.

9. Natural Silk String Lights

I was amazed at the brilliant glow from such delicate lights, as these silk string lights. And, they’re made of silk, too! Mono-colored or multi-colored strands can be used in a variety of ways from glamorizing a main doorway to dazzling your buffet.