Lighting designers reveal 7 ways to avoid tacky outdoor Christmas lights, and what to do instead

An outdoor Christmas light display is the perfect way to welcome guests to your home over the holidays. Tasteful, calming light shows are one of the best ways to make your home feel cozy and festive.

However, it's easy to end up with a Christmas light display you don't like. The wrong lights in the wrong place can ruin even the best-planned outdoor Christmas lighting.

I spoke to design experts - including one who specializes in Christmas decor - about the most common outdoor Christmas lighting mistakes and how to avoid tacky lighting.

1. Avoid bright white lights

White lights are a popular choice, but the experts told me that there's a trick to getting them right. If you don't tone down your lights, the exterior of your house can look more like a hospital than a home.

Christmas decor specialist Patricia Derpinski says 'All-white lights are a classic choice, and they’re incredibly versatile. That being said, there’s a difference between cozy and clinical. Warm white lights are your best friend if you want that soft, inviting glow. Cool white lights can feel modern and sleek, but too many can come across as harsh and frigid.'

On top of buying warm white lights, the experts suggest varying the color tones, or introducing other decor to take the edge off the brightness. Designer Eve Jean says 'All-white lights can look elegant and timeless, especially when paired with greenery or metallic accents. The key is to vary textures - mix warm and cool white tones, or incorporate twinkle lights to add depth and dimension.'

Patricia Derpinksi agrees, and says 'The trick is layering - combine your lights with greenery, ornaments, or ribbon to make the look feel complete and warm, not sterile.'

Patricia Derpinski

Patricia Derpinski is the lead designer at Hudson Holiday Decor, transforming homes, businesses, and events into magical festive landscapes.

With over 25 years of experience, Patricia’s work spans luxury residences, upscale office spaces, and elite commercial properties, where she creates awe-inspiring holiday experiences that perfectly reflect the unique personality of each client.

Eve Jean

Eve Jean is a passionate interior designer with over 5 years of experience and is a certified MWBE. As the Founder & Principal Designer of Style My Space Inc., she is dedicated to crafting beautiful, functional spaces that seamlessly blend elegance and comfort.

2. Limit inflatables

All the designers I spoke to advised staying away from inflatable decorations. They take up a lot of room, are distracting, and because they're made of plastic, they're not the most sophisticated. Despite being shaped like Santa or a snowman, most inflatable Christmas decorations aren't rated for winter use either way.

However, they can be fun, and if they're linked to treasured family memories, so much the better. Just don't overdo it. If you're going to have some inflatables, don't have an army of them camped out on your lawn.

Patricia Derpinski says 'Inflatables can be fun, but let’s be real—they’re not for everyone. If you absolutely adore that giant waving Santa or penguin snow globe, go for it—but keep it simple, don't overdo it. Stick to one or two well-placed inflatables and make sure the rest of your decor ties together. A yard full of inflatables can feel cluttered and chaotic, so less is definitely more. If you’re going for an elegant, luxurious timeless look, it’s probably best to skip them altogether.'

Eve Jean says that 'Inflatables can work well if used sparingly and placed thoughtfully. Avoid overcrowding your yard with too many, as it can look chaotic. Stick to one or two inflatables that complement your overall theme, and ensure they're well-lit and secured to avoid a cluttered appearance.'

3. Ditch the light show - or tone it down

Designers are also unanimous that you should probably avoid the big light show. They can be unneighborly, shining bright, unwanted light into neighbors' homes at all hours of the night. In some HOAs, these sorts of choreographed light shows are even banned.

Designer Patricia Derpinski says 'A choreographed light show can be incredibly festive in the right setting, like a public park or a big neighborhood event. But for most homes, it’s a bit much. Light shows can easily turn into a sensory overload, and also - you might have to deal with neighbors who may not appreciate your light show in the middle of a weeknight.'

However, you can compromise with light settings that twinkle. They create more interest than static lights without dazzling your neighbors or passers-by. Patricia suggests that 'If you like the idea of movement, consider twinkling or cascading lights. They’re subtle but still provide Christmas magic.'

If you're dead set on a choreographed light show, consider toning down the brightness and colors. Designer Eve Jean says 'Choreographed light shows can be fun and engaging, but they need to be executed with balance. Keep the synchronization tasteful - choose a cohesive color palette and music that fits your neighborhood’s vibe. Overly flashy displays can feel overwhelming, so less is often more in this case.'

4. Be careful with multicolored lights

Multicolored lights are surprisingly divisive. Some readers love them, as they evoke a retro, 80s and 90s feel. Others, however, stand stand them, and think they're kitschy and chaotic.

But before you throw out your multicolored lights - or hang them up across your garden in defiance of the trends - the experts gave me some tips about how to pull these lights off tastefully.

Eve Jean says 'Multicolored lights aren’t inherently tacky—it depends on how they’re used.' She advises that it all comes down to quality. She advises 'Opt for high-quality bulbs in a coordinated display rather than mixing too many styles or shapes. A unified pattern or theme can make multicolored lights feel festive rather than chaotic.'

A common error with this look is to use modern, multicolored LEDs like these from Amazon. However, these lights are too harsh - you need the softer glow of old-school incandescent bulbs like these at Walmart.

Patricia Derpinski agrees and says that 'Multicolored lights have a nostalgic, playful charm that can really work when done right. The key is to be intentional. Use them in one focused area, like on your tree or along your roofline, and make sure they’re part of a cohesive look.'

You can also play them off against the neutral colors of your siding or the dark greens and grays of autumn evergreen foliage. Patricia says 'Pair multicolored lights with greenery and neutral decor to soften them up. It’s all about finding balance—multicolored lights can be festive and fun paired when with the right accents.'

5. Avoid harsh blue lights

One color to avoid? Blue lights. The experts think that these are too harsh, creating cold, uninviting light that's more like a phone screen than welcoming decor.

Christmas decor expert Patricia Derpinski says 'Harsh, icy-blue LED lights are my least favorite. They tend to feel cold and a bit too bleak. They don’t capture the cozy, warm inviting vibe most people want during the holidays. LEDs are fantastic for energy efficiency, but it’s best to stick to those with a warm or soft glow. The goal is to create a lighting display that feels magical and welcoming, not overly bright or jarring.'

6. Keep lights dim

Eve Jean told me that one of the most common mistakes is to use bright lights. It sounds counterintuitive because it seems like Christmas lights should, well, light up their surrounding. However, lighting should be gentle - more for ambiance than practicality.

Eve says 'Overly bright, mismatched LED lights that clash with their surroundings are my least favorite. They can feel harsh and disrupt the cozy, welcoming vibe of Christmas decor. Consistency and quality are key to avoiding this pitfall.'

7. Mix up lighting types

In the end, the key is to use a coherent mix of soft light. Stick to one rough color - soft gold, for example - and create a wash of golden light with a mix of string lights, lamps, or even candles in weatherproof lanterns.

Eve Jean says 'Start with a cohesive plan. Choose a color palette or theme, and use it consistently across your decor. Mix lighting types - like string lights, spotlights, and lanterns - for visual interest. Highlight architectural features, pathways, or trees to create a balanced, inviting look. Always opt for warm, energy-efficient bulbs for a classic, polished finish.'

Knowing how to plan out your Christmas lights is only half the battle. When it comes to setting up your festive lights, you need to learn how to hang them securely, or how to fix them when they break - otherwise you'll be left with a load of useless lights.