If you are looking for a fast, easy way to set the mood for a party, look no further than strands of decorative patio lights. There are many, many colors and designs available to choose from. Celebrating a birthday? You’ll find a string of lights just for your special day. Having a garden party? Add a string of butterflies to show it off. Having everyone over for a football game? Almost every professional team is represented in lights.
Connect multiple strands, but don’t overload
Most strands are designed so that you can connect them together end to end, but you’ll need to read the packaging to see how many the manufacturer recommends. You don’t want to overload your electrical circuits and start a fire during your party.
Choose between LED or Incandescent
Standard patio lights can have either LED or incandescent bulbs. LED lights will cost more in the beginning, but they will ultimately last longer and use less electricity than incandescent bulbs. If you are planning to use them only for a party, or for one season, this isn’t as important a consideration as it is if you plan to leave them up indefinitely.
So many choices in covers
The types of bulbs are important, but it is the decorative covers that steal the show. The inexpensive, widely available plastic covers are molded in an almost endless variety of shapes and colors. If you choose these types of patio lights, try to hang them so that they aren’t constantly exposed to sunlight. You’ll be able to enjoy them much longer this way, as they do fade over time.
Colors last longer in glass covers
Molded glass covers won’t fade the way the plastic ones do. However, they are more fragile and will need to be protected from strong winds that can blow them around and break them. They also need to be taken down in the winter, as they become even more fragile in freezing temperatures.
Make an artistic statement with hand blown glass or fiber optics
Outdoor patio lighting fixtures are also available with hand blown glass covers. These typically cost more, but are considered miniature works of art. You can also purchase patio lights that are made with fiber optics. These are perfect for times when you want to put on a light show, because of their color changing capabilities, but be prepared to pay considerably more than the more common types.
Paper is also available for short-term use
At the other end of the spectrum are lights with paper covers. These are best used indoors or for a single evening outdoors, since the paper will absorb moisture and fall apart quickly.
The lighting sets the mood
Whether you are planning to use them for a single evening, a season, or as a permanent part of your patio décor, you are sure to find a strand of patio lights that will create the proper mood for your party.
