What color Christmas lights look best?

Christmas lights are a beloved holiday tradition that many families use to decorate their homes during the festive season. With so many colors and styles to choose from, one of the most common questions people have is: what color Christmas lights look best?

Traditional Christmas Colors

When it comes to Christmas lights, there are a few classic color combinations that are commonly used. These traditional Christmas colors often evoke a sense of nostalgia and really help set the holiday mood.

  • Red and green – This is probably the most iconic Christmas light color scheme. Red and green represent Christmas colors thanks to their association with holly berries (red) and leaves (green). These festive colors pair beautifully together.
  • White lights – Simple but elegant, white Christmas lights give a clean, icy look that pairs well with any other colors. They also evoke images of freshly fallen snow.
  • Multicolor lights – Strings of lights containing red, green, blue, purple, and sometimes orange bulbs create a vibrant rainbow effect. This fun color combination offers visual variety.

You really can’t go wrong with these tried-and-true Christmas color schemes. They have endured over time because they capture the essence of the season so well.

Trendy Christmas Light Colors

In addition to the traditional Christmas colors, some more modern and trendy Christmas light colors have emerged in recent years:

  • Icicle lights – Ranging from blue to white in color, these lights are designed to resemble hanging icicles. Their cool tones evoke winter scenes.
  • Gold lights – Gold or amber-colored lights lend a warm, elegant glow. They pair nicely with traditional reds and greens.
  • Purple lights – Deep purple lights provide an unexpected pop of color. These lights complement other shades like blue and white.
  • Rainbow lights – Strings with color-changing LED bulbs cycle through the colors of the rainbow for a dazzling effect. They bring energy and whimsy.

These fun, contemporary color schemes can add extra flair to your Christmas lights display.

Factors that Influence Christmas Light Color Choices

When selecting the perfect Christmas light colors for your home, there are a few helpful factors to consider:

  • Location – Where will the lights be displayed? Bold, bright colors often work best on outdoor trees and shrubbery, while softer colors may be preferable for indoor displays.
  • Purpose – Are you looking to create a classic Christmas vignette or a more modern, flashy display? Your goal will help determine the right color scheme.
  • Home colors – The existing colors of your home’s exterior or interior decor are a good style guide for choosing complementary Christmas light colors.
  • Personal preference – Your own tastes and style should play a key role in choosing Christmas light colors you love!

Thinking about these factors will help you select Christmas lighting colors that work perfectly for your specific space and aesthetic vision.

Popular Color Combinations

When selecting multiple colors of Christmas lights, these popular color pairings and combinations create stunning displays:

  • Red, green, white – The classic trio, red and green paired with clean white lights.
  • Red, gold, green – The warmth of gold accentuates the other traditional Christmas tones.
  • Blue, silver, white – These “cool” colors evoke a sparkling winter scene.
  • Red, blue, purple – Contrasting these colors create visual interest.
  • Multicolor, white – The rainbow lights make the white strands pop even more.

Blending 2-3 complementary or contrasting colors allows each shade to enhance the others. Think about colors that appeal to you and suit your display space.

Tips for Choosing Colors

Follow these handy tips when deciding on Christmas light colors:

  • Select 2-4 colors at most for the best effect. Too many different colors can look cluttered.
  • Match bold outdoor lights with more subtle indoor lights.
  • Consider the setting – bright colors for trees, softer colors for mantel displays.
  • Choose shades that complement your home’s existing color scheme.
  • Pair both cool tones (blue, white, silver) and warm tones (red, yellow, orange) for balance.
  • Try a nontraditional color like purple or gold for a pop of flair.
  • Use a color wheel to identify complementary hues.

Following these tips will help you create a beautifully coordinated Christmas lights display.

Comparing Christmas Light Colors

Let’s compare some of the most popular Christmas light color options:

Color Effect Works Well With
White Clean, icy, elegant Any color
Red Warm, festive, traditional Green, gold, blue
Green Traditional, associated with holly and wreaths Red, white, gold
Blue Cool, icy, modern White, silver, purple
Multicolor Fun, whimsical, vibrant White, gold

As you can see, each color has a slightly different look, feel, and effect. Choose hues that create the mood you want for your Christmas lights display.

Our Top Picks

Based on all these considerations, here are our top recommendations for the best Christmas light colors:

Outdoor Lights

  • Red and white – This pairing can’t be beat for classic outdoor displays. The red pops against the clean white.
  • Multicolor and white – These fun, bright colors complement each other perfectly.
  • Blue and white – For a modern icy effect, blue accentuates crisp white lights.

Indoor Lights

  • White and gold – Exudes an elegant, warm glow perfect for indoor decor.
  • Red, green and gold – Traditional colors with a twist, as the gold adds a luxe feel.
  • Blue and silver – Cool tones to evoke a snowy winter landscape.

Any of these stunning color combinations are sure to add festive charm and ambiance to your Christmas lights display!

Conclusion

When choosing Christmas light colors, tradition, personal taste, location, and display purpose all come into play. Classic colors like red, green, white, and multicolor remain iconic holiday shades. But don’t be afraid to also branch out into trendy options like purple, rainbow, or color-changing lights for a modern take. The right Christmas light colors can make all the difference in creating holiday magic. Whether you prefer a classic look or something more adventurous, you’re sure to find a lighting color scheme to infuse your home with festive spirit and yuletide cheer.