There’s quite a colorful debate cooking on the HGTV facebook page today: “White holiday lights versus colored holiday lights: Which are superior?”
You inspired us to dig into Rate My Space and the many merry pictures uploaded from homes across the country. How delightful to find RMS user joebucs32′s Christmas pictures from Chicago. Seems like he decorates in both colored and white lights. The colored-light picture, above, is from this year. And the festive white-light decor, below, is last year’s decor. Same room, two lighting choices. Both beautiful.
Rhode Island Rate My Spacer apicozzi decked a lofty tree in white lights, a perfect accompaniment to the room’s crystal-draped chandelier.
As for outdoor decor, RMS user kdavis001 in Virginia opts to light up the night with white. Alongside classic wreaths, a lovely display.
Christmas in the South (at least at Buckhorn Lodge) calls for white lights paired with jewel tone ornaments, a trendy alternative that mixes both crisp white lighting with bright pops of color. We love this look, staygeorgia.
And I had to include a truly colorful Rate My Space find, although lights aren’t the stars of this Dr. Seuss-inspired decor by cozypep. HGTV hears a Who?!
If you’re debating colored vs. white lights or just to see some jolly examples of both, check out the Holiday section of HGTV.com’s Rate My Space. But first, tell us: white lights or multi-colored lights? Which do you like best?
I'll start. I have to say my Christmas trees and garlands of late have been covered in clear lights. I love the look of white light. You can pair it with any color decor. However, this year my husband surprised me by trimming our 4' tabletop tree with multi-colored lights and a mix of ornaments from both our collections, including a few that we've begun collecting as a couple. I love it! So festive and fun. And new. Sometimes, there's nothing better. Happy Holidays, everyone!
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white lights for sure! feel like the beautiful glow from candlelight
I've had both through the years, but think the monochromatic lights are easier to design around. All red or all clear lights on white trees, all amber or rall ed lights on green trees… whatever your color scheme is.. and then it doesn't look so out of place 'after' Christmas. You can still leave them on through New Years and enjoy the lights, longer, I feel that the multi-colored ones.
I remember from back in the day… (50s – 70s) my mother always used white lights. Would change the color scheme every two years, and would use that color wheel, (you know red, yellow to blue wheel?) But the white lights were always present. I too use nothing but white lights today.
White lights, may use a string of red lights through the tree
White lights. They are classic and elegant.
I agree
I like both. I keep colored lights on our little tree just because it reminds me of being a kid–and it personifies being a child in G-d. However, white lights are elegant and I enjoy them as well–especially in Churches.
I like both. I think white is definitely more elegant, so if you’re going for that, then white is the way to go. Colored lights have their own appeal; they’re fun! But I prefer the small colored lights to the huge bulbs.
i think colored lights are tacky and remind me of a trailor park. white lights are classic.
Agree
I think they both have their place… For a more dressy look, go with the small white twinkle lights but for more whimsy, the large 'vintage' colored ones are great!
i am 100% on the white light boat, but, my sister has always used colored lights and, because her ornaments are brightly colored and it looks great every single year. My grandmother recently switched to white lights after having colored lights for as far back as i can remember and I love the way they look with her vintage ornaments…
I love colored lights, but my husband loves clear. We do several trees, some with white, but most with color
this is first yr of using all clear lights and I really like it. shows off my red and silver ornaments better. will keep this color theme for couple years then think will go with blue and silver and still whilte lights
I love mini white, my husband loves the colored. So we compromised – we use half and half as we build the Christmas tree – every other branch alternates white or colored, all the way up to the top. We think our tree is beautiful, we're both get what we want and we're both happy
love both looks but am partial to multicolored lights on my tree.
I love the colored lights for old time sake. I mixed white lights with my colored lights and had the white lights twinkle.
My husband and I have had this debate…. Our solution?… wire the white lights and the colored lights on separate circuits with dimmer switches. It works beautifully, you have the option of all white, colored, or both!
My husband has taken great pride in the infinite variety of subtle variations that we are able to accomplish. After several years of having the option…… We both get our way depending on who turns on the lights first and at the annual party majority rules. ( the option of both at full blast has won the last four years in a row)
Thanks for including my " Grinch inspired tree in your article. I was truly surprised.
Bob Strack
COZYPEP@COMCAST>NET
I love multicolored lights, but my husband likes white….of course, I get my way on most of the house, but i always make 1 beautiful white tree with ribbon on it for him. All of my neighbors have white lights and it looks great, but our children love that we have colored lights, and all the other kids in neighborhood wish they had colored. When my kids are grown up, I'm sure we'll use white, but until then…multicolor it is!