15 Unique Ways to Use Christmas Lights All Year Round

Are you guys ready for some year-round sparkle?! I have to admit, I’m one of those people who gets a little sad packing away the Christmas lights. They’re just so magical!

So I got to thinking, why do they have to go away at all? Turns out, they don’t! Today I’m sharing some of my absolute favorite ways to keep that cozy glow going in your home no matter the season.

Brighten a Patio

Lighting up your patio space is quite simple. Simply bring lights to any darker spots in your patio space. — Bringing in some lights to those darker corners can really make your patio decor pop. I love hanging them from trees or even draping them around a mantel. For a really bright and fresh look, I think sticking to just white lights is the way to go.

Is your patio feeling a little lackluster and dim instead of bright and inviting? I’ve been there! Sometimes all a space needs is a little bit of lighting magic. A super simple way to do this is with Christmas lights.

I love the idea of hanging different sizes from a wall or even wrapping them around trees. It creates such an enchanting atmosphere!

Light Curtains

An easy way to create that charming effect while using a curtain full of lights is placing the lights directly on the window and placing the curtains on top — Here’s a great tip for getting that charming effect: put the lights right on the window and then hang your sheer curtains over them. It gives you this elegant, simple glow that you can see from all over the room. So pretty!

Okay, this one is just so simple but the result is absolutely beautiful and works anywhere. You can create a whole curtain of lights on a window or even use the idea outside.

It gives the space such an enchanting feeling. I can just imagine this for an outdoor wedding, or really just to bring a soft, feminine touch into any room.

Make a Rustic Chandelier

Take a ladder and create your very own rustic chandelier — I love this idea! Take an old ladder and make your own rustic chandelier. You could even add a few branches for an extra rustic vibe and then just wrap it with different Christmas lights. It’s the ultimate rustic statement.

I think chandeliers are always a showstopper in a house, don’t you? Especially when they’re a little bit unique. There’s just something so warm about them.

I absolutely love the idea of making your own rustic chandelier, or even just adding a rustic touch to one you already have. It can totally transform the whole look of a room.

Hang Over the Pool

It also works well when you want to add lighting to your pool space in a simple manner. — Hanging Christmas lights right over the pool gives you that sophisticated, mirrored look that’s perfect for so many occasions. It’s also such a simple way to add beautiful lighting to your pool area.

If you’re ever looking for a truly magical effect, just hang string lights over your pool. It creates this incredible mirrored look at night.

I love how it makes the whole pool area feel so enchanting and timeless. Plus, using little lights like these gives you a kind of glow that’s really hard to get any other way.

Wall Tree Creation

Why create a simple tree when you can create something bigger and grander. — Why make just a simple tree when you can go for something bigger and more grand? Use the lights to create a space that’s incredibly warm and bright, but still feels so cozy to look at. It’s all about making the room feel full of light.

Have a blank wall that needs a little something? You can take that boring space and create a stunning tree made entirely of Christmas lights for such a whimsical touch.

I’d probably stencil the design on the wall to get started, and then just work with the lights from there. Using different sizes and shapes of bulbs is a great way to give the tree some really nice texture.

Headboard Glow

Using Christmas lights as part of your headboard decor creates a shabby chic decor space that is simple and intriguing all at once. — Using Christmas lights on your headboard brings in a shabby chic vibe that’s so simple and intriguing. It’s all about adding a feminine touch to the bedroom, no matter your existing decor. You could even use different colored or sized lights for a custom look.

If you’re in a crafty mood, this is such a fun project! Using string lights to decorate your headboard is a fantastic idea.

You can play around with different shapes and colors to find the perfect combination for your room. You could even make a really unique shape that gives your room a beautiful glow in the evening.

Mason Jar Lights

The beauty of having these simple light fixtures inside of mason jars is that you can place them anywhere. — The best part about these simple jar lights is that you can put them anywhere. They’re even portable, so you can move them wherever you need a little sparkle. They can take any ordinary spot and give it a magical gleam.

You guys know I absolutely adore how versatile mason jars are. They’re useful for just about everything, and that totally includes being light fixtures!

With a super easy DIY project, you can make gorgeous lights that work inside or outside your house. The trick is to use wireless Christmas lights. Just pop them into different sized jars and place them around for a soft, elegant glow.

Playroom Magic

Adding a subtle set of soft lights to your kid's playroom can provide the comfort they need to play in their favorite space all day and night. — Adding a soft string of lights to the playroom can give kids that cozy comfort they need to play in their favorite room all day and night. To make it even cozier, I love the idea of putting up a canopy and wrapping lights around it. It just makes the room feel so enchanting.

Playrooms are already such magical places for kids, right? So why not lean into that and make the room even more special with some Christmas lights? I love the idea of hanging them in different spots around the room.

You could create fun patterns that light everything up in the evening or when the main lights are off. You could even use them to create little illuminated pathways for the kids!

Mantel Accent

You don't have to hang your Christmas lights directly off of your mantel you can hang it on the wall of your mantel instead. — You don’t even have to put the lights directly on the mantel itself; you could hang them on the wall right above it. This brings more light to the area and creates another beautiful focal point. I also love the idea of decorating around the lights for an even bigger impact.

Mantels are just perfect for the holidays, giving you that extra spot to sprinkle in some festive cheer. But just because the season is over doesn’t mean you have to pack everything up!

I think keeping a few strands of lights out and tucking them into your mantel decor is a great way to keep a little extra sparkle in that area.

Pathway Lighting

Incorporating Christmas fairy lights inside of any lantern case can give you a bolder lighting fixture than a simple lantern would. — Putting fairy lights inside a lantern gives you a much bolder look than a simple lantern alone. You could even mix and match them for a unique, put-together style that just screams sophistication while providing great lighting.

Instead of just lining your outdoor walkway with lights, here’s a charming idea: use different sized jars and put the string lights inside.

Like I mentioned before, wireless lights are definitely the way to go here so you don’t have any cords sticking out. You can play with different light sizes and colors, or even use colored jars to get a beautiful reflection.