There’s nothing more beautiful than being able to just enjoy and relax in your outdoor area year-round. Taking a deep breath, inhaling fresh air, having fun or just enjoying the sound of the birds is something you can experience daily when having an outdoor space of your own. But all of this cannot be obtained without first making the space comfortable, warm and stylish.
Enhancing your garden, backyard, deck or patio these days is super easy, and one of the ways to make it cosier is with the help of festoon lights.
Why Are They Called Festoon Lights?
Festoon lighting is also known as party lighting which looks like a large light bulb garland. This type of lighting solution is one of the best things you can add to your outdoor area to elevate its look. The name of these lights comes from the Latin word ‘festum’ which means feast/festival, so it isn’t strange that these lights are known also as party lights. Being simple looking, these lights can simply blend into any environment, meaning that they can also be used indoors whenever needed.
Benefits of Using Them
The truth is that festoon lights can create an inviting ambience to any outdoor area and make it look more warm and cosy. Without making any effort, these lights really have the power to transform a dull space into a brighter and more pleasing one. The most important thing you should know about these lights is that even if one bulb goes out, the other ones won’t stop working.
Changing a bulb on these lights is super easy, just like changing any bulb in your house. What you should take into account though is not to make a mistake when choosing the right bulb as these lights can be LED and incandescent. Plus, they are available in different wattages, so make sure to check on your current bulbs, their types and wattage in order not to make a mistake.
How Long Do They Last and Can They Be Dimmed?
Those of you who love the idea of being able to adjust the amount of bulb brightness, to create a more romantic atmosphere or not, would probably love the fact that most of these lights allow for being dimmable. If this is what you want, you’ll need to specifically look for dimmable festoons that come with a remote control which will make controlling the lights easier and faster.
Regarding their longevity, you should know that this really depends on the type of lights you choose. For instance, if you’re looking for something more energy-efficient and longer lasting, you should really rely on the use of festoon LED lights. These lights have a low input and a high output rate which increases their lifespan to more than 40 000 hours.
Are They Bright Enough?
Well, their brightness is closely related to the lumens. A light bulb with 160 lms (lumens) means that the bulb puts out 160 lumens of light, and the higher the number, the brighter the light bulb will be. The wattage (wats), on the other hand, is the amount of power the light bulb uses, and it seems that nowadays LED bulbs use fewer watts which makes them more energy-efficient. When in search for the right lights of this kind, make sure to take into account their IP (ingress protection) rating.
The IP on weather-resistant lights of this kind indicates their resistance to the elements, especially to water and dust. Generally speaking, it is said that lights with IP44 are ideal for such lights and maximise their longevity in wet weather conditions which makes them great for outdoor use. This rating acts like creating a seal around them that prevents the elements from destroying them. However, some companies design festoon lighting with a greater IP rating which makes them perfect for being used outdoors even under harsh Australian weather conditions.
Where to Hang Them?
Backyard, Patio, Deck, Garden
Increasing the aesthetic and the value of your outdoor area is possible by adding this lighting solution. Thanks to their huge range of sizes and appearances, you can easily find the right dimension for your needs. Depending on your needs, you can also invest in ones that can join together in case you need an extra source of light. The greatest thing of all is that they have water-resistant joints at both ends which can give you peace of mind even when exposed to the elements.
Commercial Spaces
Aside from seeing them in home outdoor areas, seeing them hanged in cafes, pubs, restaurants, etc., isn’t strange at all. In fact, being placed in such spaces will contribute to adding warmth and creating a more inviting atmosphere, which on the other hand will result in attracting more customers. And, this is the goal, right?!
