{"title":"Battery-operated fairy lights","description":"\u003cp\u003eBattery operated fairy lights go where no socket reaches: first plot the cable run, then choose the battery format and the light colour. Three markers decide the final look: the usable length excluding the power cable, the colour temperature and the protection rating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"couleur\"\u003eWhich light colour for a living room?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a living room, go for warm white, around 2700 to 3000 K: the light falls lower than a ceiling light and accompanies a sofa or a reading corner without lighting the room like a waiting room. The colour temperature is stated on the product page; it sets the mood, not the shape of the bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarm white or cool white for a living room?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeutral white, around 4000 K, lights without a golden cast and suits a bookshelf you want to read by. Cool white, above 5000 K, leans blue: it is mainly for a summer evening on a terrace. For everyday use in the living room, warm white remains the safe choice, and it pairs with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eour full range of lighting\u003c\/a\u003e already in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBedroom fairy lights: which light for the evening?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a bedroom, aim for the lower end, around 2200 to 2700 K: this amber light keeps the room dark while leaving a landmark on the floor. A dimmable model lets you lower it further in the evening. See also our ideas for \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-murale-chambre\"\u003edecorating a bedroom with fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"piles\"\u003eWhich battery powers battery operated fairy lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBattery operated fairy lights run on AA or AAA batteries, sometimes a button cell on mini models or a 4.5 V flat battery on rectangular packs. The exact format is on the product page; USB rechargeable models replace disposable batteries and save you buying more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eButton cell or flat battery: what are the differences?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA button cell allows a flat pack, easy to slip behind a frame, with a shorter runtime. A 4.5 V flat battery, in its rectangular pack, lasts longer but shows more. For a fine string or a wreath, the button cell is the obvious choice; for a Christmas tree, the flat battery is simpler to replace.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRechargeable battery operated fairy lights: what to check\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst check whether the charging cable is included, then whether the battery can be removed for replacement, and finally the position of the USB port, which must stay accessible once the lights are in place. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-rechargeables\"\u003eUSB rechargeable models\u003c\/a\u003e suit lights switched on every evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eBattery format\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhere to find it\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat it means\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eTypical use\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupermarket, hardware store, rechargeable version\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBulkier pack, less frequent changes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMedium-length string, everyday use\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAAA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSame aisles, slimmer format\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompact pack, replace more often\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMini string, headboard, table decoration\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eButton cell\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWatch shops, small shops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlat pack easy to hide, limited runtime\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine string, wreath, light-up vase\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4.5 V flat battery\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSupermarket, hardware store\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVisible rectangular pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDecorative string, Christmas tree\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB rechargeable pack\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIncluded with the model\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo more disposable batteries, charge by cable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLights switched on often, indoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"longueur\"\u003eHow many metres of fairy lights should you plan for?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength is chosen by the cable run, not by the room area: a short string is enough on a shelf or a headboard, a 10 m one goes around a window, a 20 m one covers a staircase or an awning. Check the usable length excluding the power cable, meaning the part that actually lights up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e10 m battery operated fairy lights: for which room?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTen metres go around a double window, follow a long shelf or a short railing. Count the spacing between light points: the tighter it is, the denser the look and the faster the length runs out. A connectable model avoids multiplying battery packs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e20 m battery operated fairy lights: where to put them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty metres are meant for a staircase, an awning or a terrace wall. The weight of the cable increases with length: plan a fixing point every 30 to 50 cm. For a railing, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-escalier\"\u003estaircase railing fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e and, outdoors, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-exterieur\"\u003eoutdoor fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"fixer\"\u003eHow to fix fairy lights without drilling holes?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWithout drilling, rely on what is already there: moulding, curtain rod, headboard, picture hook. Clear adhesive hooks hold on a smooth, degreased wall, self-adhesive screw eyes on plaster, clips on a railing. Avoid adhesive on fresh paint or wallpaper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to fix fairy lights on a painted wall?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDegrease the area, let it dry, then apply the hook and wait before hanging the cable. One point every 30 to 50 cm is enough to keep the line taut. For a neat finish, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-lumineuse-mural\"\u003ewall fairy lights to hang\u003c\/a\u003e follow a moulding or a frame.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eAdhesive hooks, screw eyes, clips: what really holds\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdhesive holds on smooth surfaces, poorly on grainy render and not at all on wallpaper. A clip or an existing screw hook remains the safest fixing on wood and moulding. Never tighten the cable to the point of kinking it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSurface\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSolution\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePoint to watch\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmooth painted wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClear adhesive hook\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDegrease and wait for the paint to dry\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlaster or render\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSelf-adhesive screw eye or putty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eKeep the load light, avoid above a bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWood, moulding, rod\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eClip or existing screw hook\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDo not tighten the cable to the point of kinking\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMetal, glass, tiles\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuction cup or magnet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCheck heat resistance\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSheltered outdoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScrew hook in a wooden support\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBattery pack brought inside or protected\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"timer\"\u003eHow does the timer on fairy lights work?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe built-in timer switches the lights on and off on a repeating cycle, often set to dusk; it is adjusted with a button on the pack or by remote control. Durations and modes vary from one model to another: the product instructions remain the only reliable reference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBattery operated fairy lights with timer: how to set the cycles?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePress the button on the pack until you reach the desired position, then leave it running. The cycle repeats every day at the same time as long as the batteries last. The phrase \"battery action\" usually means a simple push-button switch with no programming: check before choosing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRemote-controlled battery operated fairy lights: which settings day to day?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA remote control adjusts brightness, steady or flashing mode and sometimes the timer, without touching the pack hidden behind a piece of furniture. Keep it within reach, as range drops through thick furniture. The catalogue of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003eall fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e details these functions page by page.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"exterieur\"\u003eCan battery operated fairy lights be installed outdoors?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBattery operated fairy lights can go outside provided their protection rating is suitable: IP44 for sheltered use under an awning, IP65 for exposure to rain. Without an IP rating, the model is for indoor use only. The battery pack itself must always be protected from water.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat does the IP rating of fairy lights mean?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe two digits describe resistance to solids and water: the first concerns dust, the second splashes. IP44 withstands splashes, IP65 resists water jets. No IP indication means dry use, indoors only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOutdoor battery operated fairy lights: awning, balcony or garden?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnder an awning or a covered terrace, an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip44\"\u003eIP44 model for sheltered outdoor use\u003c\/a\u003e is enough. In an exposed garden, you need \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip65\"\u003ewatertight IP65 models\u003c\/a\u003e and a pack brought inside after use. If running a cable is complicated, look at the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-solaire\"\u003esolar versions without batteries\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-solaires\"\u003esolar LED fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"deco\"\u003eWhat are some decorating ideas with fairy lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBattery operated fairy lights suit three simple setups: as a curtain above a headboard, spiralled around a staircase railing, or stretched along a terrace wall in a bistro style. Since they do not depend on any socket, they follow the furniture rather than the other way round.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFairy lights in a bedroom: where to hang them?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove the headboard, following the frame, or around a shelf. Globe fairy lights, with their round bulbs, give a softer halo than a bare string. For variety, mix in a globe of a different shade without changing the wire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStaircase, Christmas tree, terrace: three cable routes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a staircase, wind the lights around the handrail in a spiral. On a Christmas tree, start at the top and work down in a regular spiral. On a terrace, stretch them between two fixed points in the style of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-guinguette\"\u003ebistro fairy lights for terraces\u003c\/a\u003e. For an indoor setup without batteries, compare with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-220v\"\u003emains-powered 220 V fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"boitier\"\u003eHow to hide the battery pack of fairy lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe pack fits behind a frame, under a cushion, in a decorative box or against the foot of the furniture, within reach for switching on. The key is to keep the cable taut without kinking it and the pack accessible for changing batteries.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere to place the pack without cutting the light?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChoose a spot close to the first bulb, otherwise the dead cable length grows. A pack placed on the floor behind a low piece of furniture is less noticeable than one fixed high up. Do not tuck it against a radiator.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eVisible pack: discreet solutions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small wooden or fabric box, matching the wall, hides it without enclosing it. Check that the lid lets the cable through without pinching it. Models with a compact pack, often in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003eLED fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e, are easier to conceal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"securite\"\u003eCan LED fairy lights catch fire?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLED fairy lights give off little heat because the light comes from diodes and not a filament, but a poorly closed battery pack, mixed-brand batteries or a damaged cable create a real risk. Use identical batteries, replace a bare cable and unplug in case of overheating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy LED fairy lights give off little heat\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe diode converts electricity into light without bringing a filament to incandescence, hence a limited temperature rise and possible contact with fabric. That does not excuse you from letting the pack breathe and from not enclosing it in a cushion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBatteries, charger and safety: the reflexes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eChange all batteries at the same time, of the same type, and remove them if the lights stay off for a long time. A rechargeable pack is charged with the supplied cable, never with an improvised charger. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-24v\"\u003e24 V low-voltage fairy lights\u003c\/a\u003e reduce the voltage involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do you fix fairy lights?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFix the lights along the cable, not the decor: one point every 30 to 50 cm is enough to keep them taut. Adhesive hooks on smooth walls, self-adhesive screw eyes on plaster, clips on a moulding. The battery pack stays accessible and the cable must never be kinked.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow many metres of fairy lights do you need for a Christmas tree?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt all depends on the height of the tree and the density of the branches: a flexible string winds around the trunk and comes out between the branches, a stiffer string is laid in a spiral. The usable length excluding the power cable, stated on the product page, is the only reliable guide.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIn what order should you decorate your Christmas tree?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eLights first, decorations afterwards: wind the string from top to bottom, check the balance of the light points, then hang the baubles in front of the dark areas. Adding decorations last avoids masking the bulbs and moving a string already fixed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eShould the fairy lights go on before or after the Christmas baubles?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore the baubles. The lights go on the bare branches, which lets you spread the light without being hindered by decorations, then the baubles come in front. On an already decorated tree, slip the lights between the branches starting from the top.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do you hide a battery pack for fairy lights?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eBehind a frame, under a cushion, in a small decorative box or against the foot of the furniture: the hiding place must stay accessible for switching on and changing batteries. Avoid pinching the cable where it leaves the pack and placing the pack against a heat source.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"commander\"\u003eChoosing and ordering from Designix\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFirst locate the cable run, then the battery format, and only then the colour: in that order, you rule out the models that will not fit. Our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003efull lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e brings together battery operated fairy lights and other light sources, and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eDesignix lighting world\u003c\/a\u003e gives the common references for all collections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSecure payment, tracked delivery, returns and Designix customer service: if you have a question about a battery format or a length, write to us before confirming your basket.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Battery operated fairy lights: the guide to choosing and installing\",\"description\":\"Battery operated fairy lights: battery type, length, timer and fixing without drilling. 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Adhesive hooks on smooth walls, self-adhesive screw eyes on plaster, clips on a moulding. The battery pack stays accessible and the cable must never be kinked.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many metres of fairy lights do you need for a Christmas tree?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It all depends on the height of the tree and the density of the branches: a flexible string winds around the trunk and comes out between the branches, a stiffer string is laid in a spiral. The usable length excluding the power cable, stated on the product page, is the only reliable guide.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"In what order should you decorate your Christmas tree?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Lights first, decorations afterwards: wind the string from top to bottom, check the balance of the light points, then hang the baubles in front of the dark areas. 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