How To Hang Fairy Lights
& String Lights Indoors

Fairy lights are great for bringing subtle ambiance and an element of whimsy to any space. They’re also easy to install, making them a great afternoon project you can take on with tools you probably already own. If you want to add a creative flair to any room in your home, here’s how to hang fairy lights and similar options like string lights.

How To Hang Fairy Lights Indoors

Hanging fairy lights should be a fairly straightforward process for DIY-ers at just about any experience level. If you’re looking to use fairy lights or other hanging lights for bedroom decor, here’s how to do it in just a few short steps. 

Step 1: Select Your Lights

When you’re making your selection, consider what type of role you want your lighting to play. Are you looking to add pops of color, or more low-key mood lighting? Do you want to decorate a small area, an entire wall or the whole room?

Note the color of the wiring and consider whether it will match the other decor where you plan to hang the lights. In general, the smaller the space you plan to decorate, the smaller you want the individual bulbs to be. Measure the space so you can be sure you’re getting the right amount of coverage.

Step 2: Gather Your Tools

As we mentioned earlier, you’ll likely have many (if not all) the tools you need in your home already. Before you get started on your installation, make sure you have:

• String lights
• Tape measure
• A small hammer
• Wire nails, thumb tacks or push pins, tape, screw-in hooks or adhesive wall hooks
• Laser level (optional)
• Extension cord (optional)

Step 3: Decide Where & How You Want to Hang Them

The first thing to look for when placing your fairy lights is the location of your power outlets. Next, consider what type of pattern you want to string your lights in. Remember that the more elaborate the pattern, the more length you’ll need.

Ideally, you’ll want the end of your lights to be near enough to an outlet to plug in without altering the hanging pattern. If that’s not possible, you may need an extension cord.

Step 4: Make Measurements & Mark the Wall

Want to hang fairy lights in a straight line? Since the weight of your cable may vary, hold a section against the wall and measure how far apart you can spread it before it goes slack. If you want a bit of slack in your pattern, measure how far apart you’ll need to pin it to get the perfect curve. 

To enhance symmetry, adjust these numbers as needed so that your pinning intervals fit evenly into the total length you measured in Step 1. 

For example, if you plan to cover 64” with a straight line of fairy lights and know that you need to pin the wire every 5”, either adjust the total length to 60” or 65” or lower the pinning increments to 4”. Once you have your plan, mark the wall with a pencil at your chosen increments. If you have one, use a laser level to get the straightest lines possible.

Step 5: Hang the Lights & Plug In

Once the wall is marked, you’re ready to hang your fairy lights! Apply your preferred installation hardware where determined in Step 4 (thumb tacks provide the best combination of security and concealability but won’t work on all walls). 

Start with the receiving end and work toward the outlet with the plug end. To secure your light wires, wrap them around the nails, tacks or hooks. This also helps to hide the hardware. Once you’ve finished hanging, plug the lights into the outlet or extension cord, and enjoy!

How To Hang String Lights & Fairy Lights Without Nails

Some building materials, like plaster and drywall, could make hanging string lights, fairy lights or other fixtures difficult if you’re using nails. Fortunately, just like with hanging pictures without nails, there are a few equally effective wall-safe alternatives:

• Adhesive wall hooks are perfect for hanging lights without putting holes in your wall.
• If you want to know how to discreetly hang fairy lights, try low-profile tape like Scotch tape.
• Rather than hanging the lights, try wrapping them around shelves, curtain rods or other decor

Fairy Lights vs. String Lights vs. Curtain Lights

Some people refer to fairy lights and string lights interchangeably, and in many ways they are quite similar. In fact, you could argue that fairy lights and curtain lights are types of string lights. However, there are key differences.

Fairy Lights

Fairy lights are essentially miniature string lights. These are generally meant to be used as indoor decor, with the most common exception being Christmas lights. The bulbs are small, making them more of a decorative element than a light fixture.

String Lights

The term “string lights” can be used generally to refer to a series of light bulbs strung together in regular intervals by a wire. Where they differ from fairy lights is that they have larger bulbs and can be used as a standalone light source, particularly outdoors.

Curtain Lights

Curtain lights are similar to fairy lights and are also typically used indoors. Unlike traditional fairy lights, however, they hang in vertical lines from a horizontal wire, creating a waterfall or curtain effect. They may also come as part of an actual sheer curtain that can be hung like a traditional curtain.

Fairy Light Ideas for Decorating a Bedroom

Looking to use fairy lights, curtain lights or string lights for bedroom decor? Here are just a few ideas to inspire you.

• Hang them over your bed for mood lighting or as a reading light.
• Customize the design into shapes, letters or words.
• Hang multiple strings back and forth across the wall in straight lines, zigzags or lattice patterns.
• Use small fairy light strings to accentuate picture frames, art, bookcases or other existing decorative features.
• String them as a creative DIY desk decoration for subtle study lighting.
• Hang them from the ceiling or string them across the room for a dynamic lighting option.
• Combine them with potted plants to create distinctive decor.

Don’t be afraid to get creative! And remember fairy lights can be paired with many other bedroom decoration ideas to amp up the ambiance.

Safety Considerations

No matter what type of indoor string lights you choose, you’ll want to be careful not to damage your walls. If you aren’t sure whether your wall can handle nails, thumb tacks or screws, opt for an adhesive. If you plan to use nails, avoid hammering near electrical fixtures, select small nails, use a small hammer and consider protective eyewear.

If you already know how to hang a tapestry or other draped decorative element, then you may have a good idea already about how to hang fairy lights. Depending on how complex your design plan is, this should be a fairly painless process you can handle on your own. Hopefully this gives you the direction and inspiration you need to create amazing lighting!