When it comes to decorating for Halloween, outdoor lighting is rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing trends. Halloween lights may lack the tradition of Christmas lights. But, they can turn any home into a haunted house. That has captivated families everywhere. From spooky hues to terrifying lighting displays, these permanent holiday lights have redefined the way people celebrate the holiday.
If you want to light your home for Halloween, yes, you can buy lights for this spooky occasion! With permanent lighting, you can program the colors and effects to create the eerie ambiance you want.
But which Halloween lights are best suited for your home? Which vendors offer the highest quality? And when is the right time to have your lights installed? Getting these answers right can save you from terrifying lighting choices. Choices that can lead to shoddy installs, limited controls, and terrible customer service.
At Lux Lights, we've helped thousands of families with permanent holiday lights. Many of them are using our lights to illuminate their Halloween celebrations.
What Are Halloween Lights?
Halloween lights are made to cast a spooky glow on your home. They set the stage for a night of creepy decorations, from skeletons to gravestones. They are like Christmas lights, but for Halloween. As more families embrace this trend, outdoor lighting now takes center stage in Halloween displays. It adds an extra layer of fright to the usual ghostly décor.
What Kind Of Halloween Lights Are Available?
Like Christmas lights, Halloween lighting comes in two main categories. Understanding these options is essential when selecting the best lighting solution for your home.
1. DIY Halloween String Lights
The traditional DIY string lights are often affordable and widely available. These lights have small bulbs connected by wire. You can easily drape them over trees, rooflines, fences, or any area that needs a spooky touch. String lights are available in colors like orange, purple, green, and red—classic hues associated with Halloween. These lights may also come in themed shapes such as pumpkins or ghosts.
Though popular, DIY Halloween string lights have limitations. They are typically lower in quality and may not last as long as more permanent options. However, they offer an easy and budget-friendly way to bring a spooky ambiance to your yard for a few weeks each year.
2. Halloween Permanent Holiday Lights
Permanent holiday lights, especially those for Halloween and Christmas, are in high demand. They are available for both DIY installs and professional installation. Made from durable LED bulbs, these lights can be installed along the roofline of your home and used year-round. They have programmable features. They allow endless color and animation combos, all controlled by a smartphone app. The more robust and higher-end controllers and apps offer cloud connectivity (so you don’t need WIFI to operate them).
Permanent Halloween lights offer several advantages:
- Longevity: LED lights last much longer than traditional string lights. They are durable and can withstand bad weather.
- Customization: Permanent lights can be programmed to change colors and flash in different patterns. This creates an immersive Halloween experience.
- Automation: These lights can be set to turn on or off at specific times. They can also sync with music for a haunted house effect.
- Smart Home Integration: Some systems let you connect to smart devices like Alexa or Google Assistant. This gives you hands-free control over your Halloween setup.
However, they are pricier than traditional string lights. So, they require careful consideration as an investment.
Where Can You Buy Halloween Lights?
Once you’ve decided on the type of Halloween lights, the next step is knowing where to purchase them. Each option has its pros and cons.
1. eCommerce Stores
Popular online retailers like Amazon, Alibaba, and Temu offer a variety of Halloween lighting options. These platforms provide both traditional string lights and DIY permanent lighting systems. However, be cautious when purchasing online. Customer reviews are crucial in assessing the quality of these lights.
Pros: Convenience, competitive prices, wide variety.
Cons: Inconsistent product quality, inability to inspect lights before purchase.
2. Big Box Stores
Walmart, Target, and other large retailers carry a range of Halloween lights. In these stores, you can physically inspect the lights before buying them, giving you a better sense of quality.
Pros: Immediate availability, no shipping delays, and the ability to handle the products before purchasing.
Cons: Limited variety and potentially higher prices.
3. Local Businesses
Smaller, locally-owned shops often provide unique lighting options, including artisan-made or handcrafted Halloween décor. Supporting local businesses can also be an appealing choice for those who value community connections.
Pros: Unique selections, and local support.
Cons: Higher prices, fewer options.
4. Permanent Holiday Light Companies
For permanent holiday lights, professional lighting companies offer high-end LED systems. These companies usually provide installation services, ensuring that your lights are properly set up and weather-resistant. These lighting systems are more durable, energy-efficient, and versatile than what you’ll find in retail stores.
Pros: Superior quality, professional installation, long-lasting results.
Cons: Higher upfront cost compared to traditional string lights.
Which Halloween Lights Are Right for You?
Selecting the right Halloween lights involves asking yourself several key questions:
- What type of lights do you prefer?
Are you looking for something temporary like string lights, or are you ready to invest in a permanent lighting system that can be used for multiple holidays? - Do you want to install them yourself or hire a professional?
DIY enthusiasts may enjoy setting up string lights, but if you prefer hassle-free, long-term solutions, a professional installation might be the best option. - What’s your budget?
Temporary string lights are more affordable, but permanent lights offer more value over time due to their durability and versatility. - When do you need the lights?
If you’re planning on lighting up your home for Halloween this year, you’ll want to purchase lights soon to avoid the seasonal rush.
By answering these questions, you can narrow down which lighting option best suits your home and your Halloween display needs.
Is Your Home Ready For Halloween Lights?
After reading this article, you should know which option you are moving towards. If it is traditional holiday string lights, review the options above. Compare sellers of these types of lights and choose the one that is best for you, based on your needs.
However, if you think permanent holiday lights are the way to go, you will want to do some more research. If that is the case, you will want to read our sister article Permanent Christmas Lights: What You Need To Know Before Buying. While the article discusses “Christmas” lights, these can be programmed for Halloween (or any holiday and celebration) instead.
This article will help you to better understand permanent holiday lights and if they are the best choice for your home. After reading this article, you will be one step closer to getting the right Halloween lights for our haunted house!
Topics:
