Fairy lights

Plan for one string per use: an IP44 or IP65 for the terrace, an IP20 in warm white for the bedroom or hallway. The rest comes down to three simple checks: the protection rating, the light temperature and whether there is a socket nearby.

What are the best fairy lights?

There is no single best fairy light for every use: the right model depends on the room and the exposure. For a terrace, choose a high protection rating, IP44 or higher; for a bedroom or hallway, a warm light and a discreet size are enough.

Outdoor fairy lights

Outside, the first question is water protection, not style. IP44 lights for a sheltered terrace handle splashes, and IP65 options for exposed outdoor use are made for rain and wind. The material does the rest: metal, bamboo, rope and wood age better than light plastic. The Okinawa 40 pendant in bamboo and rope combines that durability with a warm Japanese look on a terrace.

Indoor fairy lights

In a bedroom and a hallway, the constraint changes: what matters is the light output and the size. A warm white light, from 2700 to 3500 K, is relaxing, while a cool white lights a passage area more sharply. The Orbée metal ball pendant illustrates this principle: a small shade for a hallway, a larger one for a bedroom, in white, pink or gold.

What are the different types of fairy lights?

LED fairy lights are classified by their power supply and protection: 220V models to plug into the mains, 24V low-voltage versions, rechargeable lights with no cable, and IP44 or IP65 options made for outdoor use. The choice then depends on the room, the length needed and the desired light temperature.

LED fairy lights

The whole selection runs on LED, with an LED base and very low heat output. That is what makes them safe to place near wood, bamboo or rope without the risk of marks. LED fairy lights come in warm white for atmosphere and cool white for sharper lighting.

Solar or rechargeable fairy lights

Cordless models go where no cable can run: balcony, path, furniture. A solar string depends on sunlight, a rechargeable cordless string depends on its battery life. Compare these two approaches with our full range of Designix lighting before deciding.

Which fairy lights should you choose?

Start from the use: the room to light, whether a socket is available, exposure to rain. Then check the protection rating, the light temperature, warm white or cool white, and the material, from bamboo to metal, for a look that matches the decor.

Which protection rating for outdoor fairy lights?

IP20 is for indoor use only: no protection against water. IP44 handles splashes on a covered terrace, IP54 adds dust resistance and IP65 can be used on a facade or under an open pergola. If the location is in doubt, it is better to go one step up than one down, and to check the connector as much as the wire.

Warm white or cool white: which light for which room?

Warm white (2700 to 3500 K) gives a golden light, suited to a bedroom, a reading corner or an evening on the terrace. Cool white (4500 to 6500 K) gives a whiter, sharper light, useful in a hallway, an entrance or a passage area. The question to ask is simple: is this light meant for seeing or for relaxing?

What is the best fairy light for outdoor use?

For outdoor use, the fairy light must first be designed for it: IP44 and IP65 options withstand the weather, which IP20 models reserved for indoor use do not. The choice then comes down to the light, the material and the style.

Where to hang fairy lights outdoors?

A railing, a pergola, a wall, a branch: each support dictates its own fixing and wind resistance. On a railing, run it straight and fix at regular intervals to stop the wire from flapping. On a branch, choose a soft tie that will not damage the bark. IP65 watertight models cope best with these open locations.

How to protect the connector and plug outdoors?

The weak point of an outdoor installation is not the wire, it is the connector. Raise it, place it in a protective box and leave a little slack in the cable rather than pulling it tight. For a permanent point, 220V mains fairy lights connect neatly, provided the routing is planned before fixing. A 24V low-voltage model simplifies the question of the transformer.

How to install fairy lights without a socket or drilling?

With no socket nearby, the solution is a rechargeable fairy light: it runs on a battery and hangs without a cable. If a support must not be drilled, adhesive hooks or a taut wire are enough, provided the cable is not pinched.

Rechargeable fairy lights: for which uses?

Balcony, path, headboard, garden furniture: battery fairy lights cover the places where running a line would be disproportionate. Think about the location of the module, it must stay accessible for recharging, and about battery life if you plan to leave them on for long periods. An outdoor watertight model is still preferable if rain is frequent.

How to fix fairy lights without drilling?

Adhesive hooks, clothes pegs, a wire stretched between two points, glued conduit: the solutions exist. The rule is never to pinch the wire to the point of crushing it, because that is where the contacts fail. Test the fixing empty before hanging, and check that the support does not heat up. A dimmer is fitted to only some models: this information appears on each product page.

Do fairy lights use a lot of electricity?

LED fairy lights use little: this technology converts most of the energy into light rather than heat. Actual consumption depends mainly on the number of light points, the daily burn time and the brightness setting on models fitted with a dimmer.

Why choose an LED fairy light rather than a classic bulb one?

A classic bulb heats up, an LED lights up. That difference changes everything near a sensitive support: wood, bamboo, rope and fabric cope with a source that does not build up heat. All our LED fairy lights work on this principle, with an LED base.

Does a dimmer change consumption?

Yes, on the models fitted with one: lowering the brightness reduces the power draw. It is also a comfort feature, giving an ambient light in the evening and a stronger light when you need to see clearly. The Orbée metal ball pendant offers this setting, on an LED base, for the bedroom or hallway.

How to care for fairy lights and keep them for a long time?

Dust with a soft, dry cloth, without abrasive products or immersion, and check the cable and connector regularly. Out of season, store the fairy light coiled without excessive tension, in a dry place, to avoid kinks and oxidation of the contacts.

How to match several fairy lights in the same room?

Keep a single light temperature per space: two different whites in the same room are immediately noticeable. Then play with materials and colours, beige, white, pink or gold, and with styles, Japanese or modern. Our lighting catalogue brings these families together to create a coherent set.

How to clean and store fairy lights?

Soft, dry cloth, never water on the electrical module. Check the cable each time you put it back: a marked sheath or a damp connector can be spotted before a breakdown. When storing, coil without tightening, away from damp. A quick look through all the LED fairy lights is enough to find the right format.

What is a fairy light called?

In French, the word guirlande refers to a decorative band, and by extension to a string of lights. People also say guirlande électrique, guirlande décorative or guirlande LED; the term guirlande de Noël remains reserved for festive uses.

What are the synonyms for fairy lights?

Electric string, decorative string, string of lights, LED fairy light. Depending on the region and the use, these terms mean the same thing: a set of light points connected on the same wire, hung as much to decorate as to light.

What is the definition of the word guirlande in French?

Originally, a guirlande is an ornamental band of flowers or foliage. The meaning extended to any decorative set aligned on a support, then to domestic lighting. Our lighting collection shows its contemporary use, from the terrace to the hallway.

Frequently asked questions about fairy lights

Choose, then order

Once the room and the protection rating are confirmed, the decision comes down to material and colour. The Okinawa 40 pendant in bamboo and rope is a reference for a terrace, the Orbée metal ball pendant for a bedroom or hallway in white, pink or gold.

• Secure payment
• Tracked delivery
• Returns accepted
• Designix customer service
• 2-year warranty on the selection

Unsure about the size or the base? Compare the product pages with each other, then confirm your basket: our lighting for the home and terrace gives you the real dimensions, including the ceiling rose, shade and pendant length.