Clever ways to use outdoor lighting this Christmas

Getting creative with Christmas lights is a big thing. Often many months in the planning, the best of these personal lightfests become festive destinations in their own right – somewhere to visit when you have ticked Santa’s grotto off the list.

Whether you plan to light up the neighbourhood with a sleigh parked upon your roof, want to try your hand at porch-scaping or are just planning to add a twinkle to your front door, outdoor lights offer some of the brightest (and most fun) parts of decorating for Christmas.

Most modern outdoor lighting uses LED bulbs, which are super efficient and long-lasting. Strings and ropes of outdoor lights come supplied with a transformer that plugs into an indoor socket, meaning you can safely use them inside and out. Smaller decorations, such as a wreath or rattan Christmas tree, are perfect for adding a little twinkle and festive cheer to a porch or doorway.

Christmas favours the bold, and one or two stand-out pieces in the front garden or on the lawn can have huge impact, especially if you can build a bit of a narrative around them. This year’s selection of 3D models runs from reindeer to snowmen. Short on space? Simple solar lights can still shine brightly on walls and fences, making your porch stand out.

Outdoor lights will add a welcome warming glow to any space, but make a big difference in rooms with large expanses of glass – think big windows or glass doors. These can often turn into 'black holes' by night, closing down the spacious feeling they offer during the day. Lighting up the garden gives you back your room with a view, adding a little extra magic sparkle for good measure. Even better if there's a dusting of snow...