Planning Matters for Outdoor Holiday Lighting

Holiday decorating may seem like a spontaneous tradition, but without a plan, things can quickly go off track:

• Lights may not match in color or size
• Power issues or circuit overloads can occur
• Your display could look cluttered or unbalanced
• Installation takes longer and often in cold, unsafe conditions
  
  

When you plan ahead, you get a more beautiful result, a safer installation, and a much less stressful season.

Start by Defining Your Holiday Lighting Goals

Before you pull out a single strand of lights, ask yourself:

• What’s the tone or vibe I want?
  Classic white? Colorful and fun? Subtle and sophisticated?
  
  
• How much of the home should be lit?
  Just the roofline? Trees and bushes? Pathways and windows?
  
  
• Do I want to reuse decorations year after year or try something new?
  
  

Understanding your goals helps shape the rest of the process, whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring professionals.

Assess Your Home’s Exterior Features

The best holiday light designs work with your home’s architecture, not against it. Take a few minutes to walk around your property and note:

• Roofline shape (straight, gabled, multiple peaks)
• Architectural details (dormers, chimneys, windows, pillars)
• Shrubs, trees, and landscaping features
• Walkways, fences, or porches
• Available power sources and outlet locations
  
  

This visual inventory helps determine where lights will go and what type of decorations make the most sense. For example, a home with large gables may benefit from symmetrical roofline lighting, while an entry with columns is a perfect place for wrapped garlands or spiral-lit mini trees.

Choose Your Lighting Types and Color Scheme

With hundreds of lighting products on the market, narrowing down your options can feel overwhelming. Here’s a simple breakdown to help guide your decisions:

Lighting Types:

• C9 LED Bulbs – Bright, bold, and perfect for outlining rooflines. A North Hills favorite.
• Mini LED String Lights – Great for wrapping trees, shrubs, railings, and garlands.
• Net Lights – Ideal for uniform coverage of bushes or hedges.
• Icicle Lights – Adds a classic winter effect along roof edges.
• RGB Smart Lights – Change color and pattern via app control for maximum flexibility.
  
  

Color Options:

• Warm White – Classic, cozy, and elegant.
• Cool White – Crisp, clean, and modern.
• Multi-Color – Festive and playful, especially for family-friendly displays.
• Single Color Themes – Red, blue, or green lights make a bold, consistent statement.
• Combination Patterns – Candy-cane stripes (red and white), or alternating zones.
  
  

Once you decide on your primary color and lighting style, consistency is key. Mixing warm and cool white lights, or combining different bulb shapes or spacings, can create a messy look. 

Create a Layout Plan

You don’t need fancy software to sketch a layout. A simple hand-drawn map of your home’s front elevation works just fine. Label areas with:

• Type of light to be used
• Color choice
• Number of strands or bulbs
• Power source

Consider the following zones:

• Rooflines and eaves
• Gutters and downspouts
• Window frames and doorways
• Porch railings and posts
• Landscape features

Pro tip: When calculating how many feet of lighting you need, always overestimate slightly. It’s better to have extra than come up short mid-installation.

Factor in Power and Safety

Even the most beautiful display will fail if it trips your breakers or causes a hazard.

Safety checklist:

• Use outdoor-rated extension cords and GFCI outlets.
• Never exceed the maximum number of connected strands recommended by the manufacturer.
• Use commercial-grade clips, never staples, nails, or adhesive hooks that damage roofing or siding.
• Lights should be rated UL-listed for outdoor use or have an IP65 rating for weather resistance.

Plan for Storage and Next Season

Don’t wait until January to figure out where your lights go. If you’re handling installation yourself, invest in:

• Reels or bins for organized storage
• Labels for each strand or section
• Dry, indoor space to protect from moisture
  
  

Bring Your Holiday Vision to Life

Planning your outdoor holiday decorations doesn't have to be stressful. With the right approach, materials, and team behind you, your North Hills home can become a glowing example of holiday spirit.

Whether you’re aiming for a picture-perfect roofline, a warm welcome at the front door, or a fully coordinated, energy-efficient display, it all starts with good planning.

Work with North Hills’ Trusted Holiday Lighting Experts

At MAT Lighting, we specialize in professional Christmas light hanging and holiday light setup and takedown services across the North Hills area of Pittsburgh. We’re proud to be your family-owned holiday lighting company serving Ross Township, McCandless, Wexford, Franklin Park, and beyond. Our clients trust us to make the season bright.

Ready to get started?
Contact MAT Lighting today to schedule your design consultation. Let’s Get Glowing!