These 6 String Light Ideas Will Make Your Home Feel Cozy Year-Round

Contrary to popular belief, string lights aren’t only for decorating the outside of your house during Christmas time. While we love hanging lights on the roof or patio, string lights can add warmth and coziness to the inside of your home just as well as on the outside. Adding strands of these twinkling lights—also called fairy lights—to the inside of your home creates a glowing effect in your space throughout the year. Get inspired by our list of ways to decorate with string lights indoors.

1. Hang String Lights on the Ceiling

Add a touch of whimsy to a playroom or bedroom by hanging string lights on the ceiling. Choose to hammer small nails near the edge of the ceiling to drape the string lights on, or if you’re renting and need a temporary solution, use clear adhesive hooks. If you want a more subtle look, use strings of smaller fairy lights that appear to glitter. If you want something more bold, use string lights that resemble Edison bulbs.

2. Frame a Window

Another simple way to decorate with string lights indoors is to frame a window. Getting the look is easy—simply outline the window with string lights, using clear hooks or nails to keep them in place. Continue outlining the window with lights until you reach an outlet. For kitchen windows, hide the lights under the upper cabinets until you reach an outlet. For the living room, bedroom, or office windows, hide the remaining lights behind furniture pieces or purchase wall cord covers that match your trim.

3. Put String Lights on Shelves

Dress up your floating shelves by tucking strings of fairy lights in and around your decor. For open shelving, fairy lights with battery packs work best so you can hide the pack behind a decor piece. For bookshelves, either outline the shelves or tuck the lights behind stacks of books to make it seem as if they’re glowing.

4. Use String Lights on the Table

Adding strands of fairy lights is a quick and easy way to take your tablescape to the next level. Place strands of battery-operated lights down the center of your table, and hide the battery pack under the tabletop. For a more subtle look, weave the lights around strands of greenery to create a stunning, and simple, centerpiece.

5. Pair String Lights With Plants

Wrap strands of fairy lights around your houseplants to give them a glowing, playful look. In a trending TikTok video, Natalie Doef strung fairy lights around a vining plant as it grew up a wall in her living room. The plants and lights continue up the wall and arch over her TV. To get the vining look at home, train a climbing plant like philodendrons, monstera, or pothos to climb upwards against a wall. Help the plant grow upwards by using plant clips or small clear hooks. Then, wind strands of batter-operated fairy lights in and around the vines to create a glowing effect.

6. Use String Lights in Your Covered Porch

Enjoy string lights year-round by hanging them in your screened-in porch. Choose to drape the lights across the ceiling, or carefully run the strands along the perimeter of the ceiling for a cleaner look. Use wall cord covers to hide the remaining lights until they reach an outlet. Choose to use traditional string lights to plug in to turn on, or use string lights with timers so your indoor-outdoor area is lit up and ready for use every night.