Festoon lights have quickly become the cornerstone of the outdoor lighting world, adding an element of magic to gardens and outdoor events everywhere. Add a warm glow and subtle sparkle that instantly transforms any backyard, patio, or garden, creating an inviting space to welcome friends and family underneath the evening sky with festoon light ideas.
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What are Festoon Lights?
Sometimes called ‘Edison-style bulbs’’, ‘large fairy lights’ or ‘vintage bulb lights’, festoon lights are strings of light bulbs that are hung up to illuminate outdoor spaces such as gardens, festivals, cafes and wedding venues. The word ‘festoon’ actually comes from the Latin term meaning ‘feast’, and was originally used to describe the garlands hung at banquets and festivities. Festoon lighting is characterised by each light bulb connecting to a cable and hanging in a ‘swag’ to produce a charming garland effect.
Festoon lighting can be solar-powered or mains-powered, depending on the users’ needs and the logistics of the area in question. This kind of outdoor lighting not only creates a beautiful ambience wherever it is hung but can also provide an atmospheric way to highlight paths and seating areas to make sure your guests feel relaxed and cosy once darkness falls.
Different types of Festoon Lights
Festoon lighting is extremely versatile and comes in all manner of styles, colours, shapes, and configurations to allow you to customise your outdoor space to perfectly suit your needs.
- Traditional Bulb Festoon Lights: These are the classic and most commonly used type of festoon lighting. Bulb festoon lights typically feature traditional incandescent bulbs or LED bulbs arranged along a string or cable. Traditional bulb lights come in various sizes and shapes, including round bulbs, globe bulbs, and Edison-style bulbs. They emit a warm, inviting glow and are versatile enough to suit a wide range of outdoor settings, from garden parties to music concerts and everything in between.
- LED Festoon Lights: LED festoon lights are a popular outdoor lighting choice due to their energy efficiency, durability, and versatility. They consume less energy compared to traditional bulbs and have a longer lifespan, making them a cost-effective option for illuminating your outdoor space. LED festoon lights are available in various colours, including warm white, cool white, and multicoloured, giving you the creativity to explore different atmospheres and effects to suit the mood.
- Solar-Powered Festoon Lights: Solar-powered festoon lights are an eco-friendly and energy-efficient version of festoon lighting that harnesses solar energy to power the LEDs. They come with a solar panel that absorbs sunlight during the day and converts it into electricity to illuminate the lights at night. Solar-powered festoon lights are ideal for outdoor spaces where access to electricity may be limited or where you want to minimise energy consumption and environmental impact.
- Remote-Controlled Festoon Lights: Remote-controlled festoon lighting allows you to adjust the brightness, colour, and mood of your festoon lighting at the touch of a button. Their versatility makes them a perfect lighting solution for outdoor parties, events, or celebrations.
Festoon Light Styling Ideas For Your Garden
Whether hosting an outdoor gathering, celebrating a special occasion, or simply unwinding under the stars, choosing the right type of festoon lighting for your garden helps create the perfect atmosphere for relaxation, entertainment, and enjoyment. Here we look at some festoon light styling ideas to give you some inspiration of how to shine a light on your outdoor space at home.
1. Garden Pathways Ideas
Light up your garden path or add a twinkle to your flower beds with strings of festoon lighting running alongside your garden path. Whether strung up high or nestled low, using festoon lights as a garden path border is a simple way to add an element of magic to your garden and an extra dimension of interest. When night falls and the stars come out your garden will be transformed into an intriguing and beautifully intriguing space.
2. Trees and Shrubs Ideas
Using festoon lighting to illuminate the trees and shrubs in your garden creates a dazzling effect once the sun goes down. Choose to hang festoon lighting between trees to create a lighting canopy effect, or go one step further and wrap the festoon lighting around trunks and branches to shine a focus on the shape and silhouette of the tree. Weave your festoon lighting among shrubbery and bushes to give your greenery some added twinkle and ensure they don’t disappear from view when the sun does.
3. Outdoor Dining Area Ideas
The gentle twinkle of festoon lighting is hard to match, so why not consider creating a soft lighting backdrop as you dine al fresco in your garden this summer? Using festoon lighting to brighten your outdoor dining area is a simple and cost-effective way of lighting your garden without needing specialist electrical expertise. String festoon lights against a fence or between trees to throw light onto your outside dining space, or hang a string of lights directly above the table for a more striking effect. Your guests will enjoy the intimate ambience as you create cherished memories watching the sun go down.
4. Balcony Festoon Light Ideas
The beauty of festoon lighting is that it is extremely versatile and can be made to suit spaces large or small. If you don’t have much garden space but have a balcony where you love to sit and watch the world below, hanging festoon lights is a creative way to maximise the space and create a cosy, boho vibe.
5. Patio Festoon Light Ideas
Your patio or decking area can be transformed with the simple addition of festoon lighting. Create a display of shadows and sparkles by stringing festoon lights above your garden patio and watch as the light dances across your space. Festoon lighting can be used in your patio area to make the space more inviting and add character.
Festoon Light Ideas For Outdoor Events
With its versatility and charm, festoon lighting offers endless possibilities for enhancing outdoor events and making your space sparkle with character. Whether you crave a romantic, whimsical, or festive vibe, incorporating festoon lights into your event decor will create a memorable experience for you and your guests.
1. Birthdays
No matter what the age, a birthday party setting decorated with festoon lights will create a sense of frivolity and merriment that is hard to match. Choose brightly coloured festoon lights to set the scene for a celebration to remember, or soft white lights for a more subtle atmosphere.
2. Garden Parties
Get your garden party off to a dazzling start with festoon lighting providing the backdrop. Consider hanging lights at different heights to create visual interest, adding dimension and depth to your outdoor space.
3. Garden Weddings
Festoon lights are a gorgeous way to light the pathway to and from the house to the reception location for garden weddings. Wrap festoon lights around pillars, columns, or other structural elements in the outdoor space to highlight architectural features and add a touch of elegance to the decor. For a truly magical ambience, hang festoon lights overhead to emulate the look of a starry sky creating a romantic and enchanting atmosphere that will leave a lasting impression on your guests.
Hire Festoon Lights for Your Outdoor Event
If you’re looking to hire festoon lights for your outdoor event, our large range of festoon lighting is perfect for outdoor events but can also be used indoors to give a rustic vibe. We deliver lighting hire across the whole of London and the South so if you are looking to hire festoon lighting for your next outdoor event get in touch with one of our friendly team who will be only too happy to help you plan your big day.
Browse Festoon Lights Enquire About Festoon Light HireSummary
Festoon lighting can provide a vintage, laid-back look for your garden or outside venue, we are the leading providers of festoon lighting to hire in London and look forward to helping you to illuminate your garden!
