Roof, Tree or Facade: Where Should Your Christmas Lights Go?

Start with the roofline — the eaves and gables — to outline your home's shape, then add a focal point at the front door or a specimen tree in the garden. A cohesive design using one or two elements beats trying to light everything at once.

Choosing your canvas is the first step in our design process. Whether it's a Victorian terrace in Barnes or a country home in the Surrey Hills, the principles are the same. Here are the primary options.

The roofline: your primary canvas

The single most effective place for Christmas lights is the roofline — gutters, eaves, fascias and gables. It outlines the architecture, defining the home's shape against the dark winter sky, and is the foundation of almost every display we create.

For rooflines we exclusively use commercial-grade C9 LED bulbs, installed with specialised clips so every bulb sits straight and evenly spaced.

Architectural features: adding depth and detail

Once the roofline is established, the next step is layering light onto the home's best features.

Window and door surrounds

Outlining windows and the front door creates a "doll's house" effect — precise and elegant, especially on symmetrical Georgian and Victorian properties. It requires meticulous work to keep the lines square and taut, using discreet fixings barely visible by day.

Porches and entrances

Framing the entrance makes a powerful first impression and acts as a natural focal point.

• Pillar wraps — for grand porticos or columned entrances, wrapped tightly and evenly for a dense, professional finish
• Archway outlines — following the curve of an arched doorway or porch for a soft, inviting glow

In the garden: trees, hedges and topiary

Taking the lights into the garden creates a truly immersive display. For properties in the South East with generous gardens, this is often where the most dramatic impact is made.

Mature and specimen trees

A mature deciduous tree wrapped in thousands of warm white lights is a signature Cosy Christmas look. A single large oak or beech can take anywhere from 2,000 to 10,000 individual LEDs.

• Trunk and branch wrap — our most popular method, highlighting the tree's natural form
• Canopy netting — for evergreens like firs or pines, casting a dense, starry effect over the canopy

Many clients ask us to leave tree lighting up until February, to bring light to the darkest months.

Hedges and topiary

• Hedge lighting — a solid, uniform wall of light using dense net lights, good for defining a boundary or driveway hedge
• Topiary outlining — box balls, spheres and pyramids wrapped carefully to accentuate their form

Combining elements for a cohesive design

The secret to a high-end look is not lighting everything, but choosing a few elements and lighting them perfectly.

1. 1Define the architecture — start with the main roofline.
2. 2Create a focal point — usually the front door and porch.
3. 3Add layers and depth — decide whether a tree or a hedge deserves to be the garden feature.
4. 4Ensure consistency — one colour (our signature is warm white) and one bulb type throughout. Mixing colours, flashing patterns and bulb types cheapens the look.

What does it cost?

Our service is all-inclusive: design consultation, all commercial-grade lights, wiring and timers (normally supplied on seasonal hire), professional installation, in-season maintenance and January take-down.

Every property is unique, which is why every display gets its own detailed, no-obligation fixed quote.

DIY vs a professional service

Booking for 2026

Enquiries are open year-round. Send the property details and photographs through the quote form and we will confirm current availability.