Small cottage, large mansion, or something in between. Any abode can do with roof lighting because it’s one of the easiest ways to bring instant holiday cheer to your living space. You can choose to go cheap with DIY options or buy as many lighting options from local stores to make your roof the talk of the town. But the key is to keep it classy, to highlight the architecture of your home instead of trying to go against it, and to stick to eco-friendly, energy-efficient options.
It may sound complicated and like a lot of work for a couple of weeks’ enjoyment, but these easy roof light ideas for Christmas have got you covered this year. You’ll either put them in storage with a smile because it’s a practically effortless process, or you’ll keep them out for longer because they’re just too dazzling.
1. Icicle Lights
Christmas is a frosty, whimsical time and it’s great if you can get your lighting choices to reflect that. One of the most classic options that will provide that desired festive look on your roof is icicle lights. They’re cascading lights that mimic hanging icicles, which creates movement and sparkle that’ll draw attention from all the way across the street. If you’ve got gutters or eaves and clips, hooks, or adhesive fasteners, you can install icicle lights. They’re simple to install and they pair beautifully with other lights.
They’re available in many lengths, from short for a simple, minimal look, to extra long for a dramatic effect. Then, there are multiple color options to choose from as well, especially if you opt for LED options. If your yard has a fairytale theme, white would be ideal, but colorful lights will bring the Christmas tradition to life. Plus, they’re ideal for smaller homes as they don’t take much space and you can easily store them away for next year’s Christmas display.
2. Rope Lighting Borders
Rope lights are a Christmas staple, especially when it comes to outdoor festive displays. That’s because they’re weather-resistant, whether you live in a dry, arid climate or somewhere that gets constant, year-round rain. It also helps that they’re flexible enough to outline nearly any surface, including your roof edges. You can also use them to create your own Christmas-themed light sculptures in the shapes of reindeer, stars, Christmas trees, and anything else that reminds you of the most festive holiday of the year.
But since you’re here for easy roof light ideas for Christmas, you can use rope lights to highlight the lines of your roof, eaves or dormers for a clean display that shows off your architecture. It’s very easy to install them by clipping them to gutters and shingles, and you can bend them around curves and corners. Choose between whites and colorful options to match your home’s holiday theme. Whites are perfect for a simple, classic look that blends into any landscape, while both single and multi-color colorful options bring festive cheer.
3. Light-Up Christmas Silhouettes
Is there anything easier to install than something that’s already made, pre-lit, and ready to go? You can use light-up silhouettes anywhere in your yard, but your roof is the best place to showcase your Christmas spirit to the neighborhood. You can go for any shapes and designs that complement your overall outdoor theme, but the most popular include Santa, some festive reindeer, snowflakes, and Christmas trees, of course. They’re very easy to install and you can mount them along the edges of your roof or on flat sections.
The best part is that you don’t need to have any artsy hair on your head because the creative part has already been done when you buy the silhouettes. Since they’re made with metal frames that have integrated LED lights, they’re durable and weather-resistant. While these light-up Christmas silhouettes create stunning focal points by themselves, they pair well with string or icicle lights along the rest of the roofline.
4. Hanging Curtain Lights
Not all easy roof light ideas for Christmas need to be mounted on top of your roof surface. Some, like hanging curtain lights, work beautifully on flat roof edges, pergolas, and porches. These cascading sheets of light bring all of the drama to your Christmas landscape and they form the most gorgeous backdrop for your yearly family photos. You can drape them from gutters or fascia boards by using clips, hooks, or staples to install them. Once they’re up and running, they create a waterfall effect that resembles snow or sparkling icicles.
Classic white will always be a winner when it comes to the snowy ambiance of Christmas, but they’re also available in single and multi-color LED options. You can combine them with all of the other lighting ideas and they add a layered effect when combined with string or rope lights. It’s a great way to add warmth and texture to your outdoor Christmas display without the need of complicated installations or expensive decor pieces.
5. Candy Cane Edge Lights
There are many theories, and possibly myths, about why candy canes are associated with Christmas. Some are religious, while others are just fun little tales that embody the magic behind the holiday. But when it comes to lighting, the story behind it all doesn’t matter as much as the end result. It’s a fun and whimsical way to highlight your rooflines to create a festive display that’ll wow neighbors and make children happy. These lights are shaped like candy canes with their signature red and white stripes. However, unlike the actual candy, they have integrated lights or LED bulbs that bring the pattern to life.
You can clip them to your gutters, eaves, and even to your porch edges for a playful, nostalgic effect. These lights look beautiful on front-facing roofs, where passersby in the street can also enjoy them. If you truly want to make a bright, striking statement this year, combine them with other roof and yard decorations for a cohesive holiday theme.
Jamie is the founder of The Backyard Pros. When he was 15 years old he started working at a garden centre helping people buy plants, gardening products, and lawn care products. He has real estate experience and he is a home owner. Jamie loves backyard projects, refinishing furniture, and enjoys sharing his knowledge online.