{"title":"Paper LED garlands","description":"\u003cp\u003ePlan one string light per area to highlight, not per room: a line above a headboard, one slipped between two shelf boards, one stretched above a party table. A paper LED string light gives off a warm, low light, made to define a corner rather than to light a whole room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"principe\"\u003eWhat is a paper LED string light and what kind of light does it give?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePaper string lights: what the material changes\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe principle is simple: small LEDs spaced along a flexible wire, each dressed in a paper shade. The paper does all the visual work. It intercepts the direct point of light, spreads it, and turns a point source into a halo. That is what sets these \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003edecorative string lights\u003c\/a\u003e apart from a bare LED wire, whose points shine and dazzle as soon as you look at them. A well-chosen shade makes the line invisible to the eye: you see a soft trail, not a succession of bulbs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eA warm, low light, decorative before functional\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGenerally, these string lights sit around 2700 to 3000 kelvins, the so-called warm white range: an amber tone, close to a candle, that relaxes in the evening. The power stays low, a few tenths of a watt per point, so there is no risk of the paper heating up. Do not count on them for reading or working: they are \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003elighting fixtures\u003c\/a\u003e for atmosphere, to switch on as a second layer, once the main lighting is dimmed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"ou\"\u003eWhere to install a paper string light in the home?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003ePaper string light for a child's room: the bedroom and the reading corner\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a child's bedroom, it serves as a night light and a landmark: a line along the wall, at adult height, above the headboard or framed around a window. The effect is clear, the room warms up without becoming a beacon. Prefer battery power or a USB model to avoid a cable crossing the room, and keep the wire out of reach of the youngest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAbove a table or along a shelf\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a shelf, slip the string light behind the books: the light comes out at an angle and highlights the spines. Above a party table or a coffee table, a line stretched slightly as a floating garland (a little slack between two points) is enough to change the mood of the meal. On a covered terrace, it is with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-rechargeables\"\u003ea rechargeable string light\u003c\/a\u003e that you avoid a cable across the living room.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"matiere\"\u003eRice paper, Japanese paper or origami: which material to choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree families, three effects. Rice paper gives the softest light and hides the bright points best; washi, more textured, keeps a warm, matte tone; folded origami plays with shadows and becomes a pattern in its own right. Thick tinted paper, on the other hand, concentrates the light downwards and helps separate two areas.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich paper for which light effect\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePaper\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLight effect\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhere it works best\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\u003eRice paper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVery diffuse, almost milky, hides the LED points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBedroom, headboard, living room wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCreases quickly when taken down\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eJapanese washi paper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWarm and matte, visible texture\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShelf, party table, reading corner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMarks on contact with water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFolded origami\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGraphic, marked shadows, a little less bright\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGraphic decor, child's room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFolds that open if the paper is thin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThick tinted paper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eConcentrated light, reduced halo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSeparating areas, desk corner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCan dim the small LED points\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eRice paper string light: the most diffuse effect\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is the default choice when you are after a glow rather than a pattern. The long fibres of rice paper diffract the light and smooth the beam: at fifty centimetres, the diode is no longer distinguishable. It does, however, require gentle handling, as it marks at the fold and from damp fingers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eOrigami paper string light: more graphic, less bright\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe fold creates facets that bounce the light back intermittently. The result is more drawn, more contrasted, and slightly less bright since the overlapping layers filter more. It is the material to choose for a graphic wall or a bedroom where you want to highlight the structure rather than the colour. For format and length variants, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003ethe LED string light range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"fonctionnement\"\u003eHow does an LED string light work?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eBatteries, USB or mains: how to power the string light\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree modes, three constraints. Batteries free up the placement, but require an accessible box and regular replacement. USB suits a shelf or headboard near a socket, with a thin, discreet cable. Mains power, at 220 V, allows the longest lengths: that is the territory of \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-220v\"\u003emodels that plug into 220 V mains\u003c\/a\u003e. There are also \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-24v\"\u003elow-voltage 24 V string lights\u003c\/a\u003e, safer to touch and suited to long lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLED string light or cuttable LED strip: what is the difference?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn LED strip is a flat circuit, often adhesive, that you cut at marked points and that lights continuously. A string light is a flexible wire with spaced points: you do not cut it, and you choose its length at purchase. The strip is for highlighting a straight line (under a piece of furniture, behind a screen); the paper-dressed string light is for creating rhythm. The diodes of the two families are not interchangeable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"exterieur\"\u003ePaper LED string light for outdoors: what should you check?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIP44 or IP65: what the rating protects\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe protection rating describes a housing's resistance to dust and water. IP44 protects against splashes and fine rain; IP65 protects against water jets and can be cleaned with a jet. On a paper string light, it is the power supply and the plug that must be protected, not the wire. See the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip44\"\u003eIP44-protected string lights\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip65\"\u003eIP65 models for water jets\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCovered terrace and garden: the right habits\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaper fears damp and hangs: under a canopy, it stays dry as long as it does not rain sideways. In the garden, turn to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-solaires\"\u003esolar lighting for the garden\u003c\/a\u003e, without paper, or to \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003eall the string lights\u003c\/a\u003e designed for outdoors. A dry, ventilated shelter, never a closed plastic bag over damp paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"diy\"\u003eHow can I make a paper string light myself?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eDIY paper string light: the starting materials\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou need a flexible LED wire with spaced points, paper thin enough to let light through (tissue paper, rice paper, washi), scissors, a pencil to draw a template and white glue or a dot of tape. A battery or USB wire makes trying it out easier, since you can move it during assembly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow to create a unique paper LED string light\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDraw a cone or accordion template, cut a series of identical shapes and fold each piece. Then thread the shades one by one onto the light points and fix them with a dot of glue at the base, never on the diode. The variety of shapes and heights makes the originality, not the number of pieces. Allow one shade per light point to keep a regular line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"poser\"\u003eHow to hang and care for a paper string light without damaging it?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFixing the string light without drilling or stretching the wire\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe wire carries the weight, never the paper: place adhesive hooks or small clips on the wire between two shades. Leave some slack between two points, otherwise the tension builds and the shades lose their shape. For delicate walls, adhesive fixings come off without a trace; for a ceiling, a simple small-diameter nail is often enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCleaning and storing the paper without folding it\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDust dry, with a feather duster or a soft cloth, without water or product. When taking it down, wind the string light around a large piece of cardboard rather than into a ball, and store it flat in a closed box, away from damp. That is what prevents marked creases on rice paper from one season to the next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"erreurs\"\u003eWhat mistakes should you avoid before buying a paper string light?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasure before choosing the length\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength is measured on the wall, not estimated: add the drop between two fixing points and the space lost behind a piece of furniture. A string light that is too short forces you to space the points and breaks the rhythm; too long, it piles up. Measure the actual path, then compare with the formats offered in \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003eall our LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCheck the power supply and the location\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFind the nearest socket before ordering: without it, you will need an extension lead or a battery model. Also check the room (bedroom, covered terrace, outdoors) and the thickness of the paper. Paper that is too thick dims the light points; outdoor use without shelter damages the string light within a few weeks. For a living room wall, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-220v\"\u003eplug-in string light\u003c\/a\u003e remains the simplest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eWhich format for which room\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRoom or use\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended format\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower supply\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eWhat to avoid\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eChild's room\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShort, flexible string light along the wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBatteries or USB\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFixing it at children's hand height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeadboard\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA simple line, small shades\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUSB or mains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContact with the pillow\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eShelf and bookcase\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine string light slipped between two boards\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBatteries\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePaper stuck to the wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParty table or covered terrace\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLonger string light, regular shades\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains or rechargeable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUnsheltered outdoors\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiving room wall\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eA single graphic line, origami paper\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e220 V mains\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMultiplying visible wires\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat is a Japanese paper string light?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is an LED string light in which each light point is dressed in a Japanese paper shade, often washi. This textured paper keeps the light warm and matte, without filtering it completely. The effect is more artisanal than with a plastic shade, and the paper remains sensitive to damp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eWhat is the difference between a string light and an LED string light?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA string light refers to the family of light decorations, whatever the type of source. An LED string light specifies the technology: small low-consumption diodes that heat little and last a long time. A paper string light is therefore almost always an LED string light dressed in paper.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan a paper string light be installed in a child's room?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, provided it is fixed out of reach of the youngest and you prefer battery or USB power, with no cable stretched across the room. Paper remains a light material: hang it on the wall or high up, never above the bed, and check that the wire does not hang down.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eDoes a rice paper string light stand the test of time?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRice paper is strong when dry but fears water, grease and repeated handling. It creases when taken down and marks on contact with damp fingers. To last, the string light is dusted dry and stored flat, without being folded into a ball with the wire.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary\u003eCan a paper LED string light be hung outdoors?\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePaper does not withstand rain or prolonged damp: keep it indoors or under a dry shelter. On a covered terrace, check above all the protection rating of the power supply and the plug, because that is what remains exposed to splashes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne last point before choosing: note the wall, the length and the socket, then compare with \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eall our lighting fixtures\u003c\/a\u003e and the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003eDesignix LED string lights\u003c\/a\u003e. Secure payment, tracked delivery, returns possible and customer service to help you decide between two formats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Paper LED string lights: the guide to choosing yours and hanging it\",\"description\":\"Paper LED string lights: what light, where to hang them, rice paper or origami, indoors or sheltered outdoors. 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This textured paper keeps the light warm and matte, without filtering it completely. The effect is more artisanal than with a plastic shade, and the paper remains sensitive to damp.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What is the difference between a string light and an LED string light?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A string light refers to the family of light decorations, whatever the type of source. An LED string light specifies the technology: small low-consumption diodes that heat little and last a long time. A paper string light is therefore almost always an LED string light dressed in paper.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can a paper string light be installed in a child's room?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Yes, provided it is fixed out of reach of the youngest and you prefer battery or USB power, with no cable stretched across the room. Paper remains a light material: hang it on the wall or high up, never above the bed, and check that the wire does not hang down.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Does a rice paper string light stand the test of time?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Rice paper is strong when dry but fears water, grease and repeated handling. It creases when taken down and marks on contact with damp fingers. To last, the string light is dusted dry and stored flat, without being folded into a ball with the wire.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can a paper LED string light be hung outdoors?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Paper does not withstand rain or prolonged damp: keep it indoors or under a dry shelter. On a covered terrace, check above all the protection rating of the power supply and the plug, because that is what remains exposed to splashes.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How to create a unique paper LED string light?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Start with a flexible LED wire, then cut shades from thin paper: cones, accordions or folded shapes. Thread them one by one onto the light points and fix them with a dot of glue or a tight fold. The variety of shapes makes it unique, not the quantity.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Do you need a socket nearby for a paper LED string light?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It depends on the model: some run on batteries or USB and can be placed anywhere, others need a mains socket and therefore a cable to the wall. Before choosing, find the location and the distance to the nearest socket.\"}}]}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-guirlandes-led-en-papier-v1.jpg?v=1792517290","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/paper-led-string-lights.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}