Fairy lights, Christmas lights, rope lights – whatever the name, the concept is the same. Gentle luminescence to softly light up a room of your home, or to emphasize an area of your space that would otherwise be overlooked. The effect can be as subtle or as dramatic as you desire, the lights simple or complex. Their warmth can bring a romantic or a welcoming glow, depending on the style you use. Rope lights, sometimes called ribbons lights, are another option if you need a solid band of color in an area. They will light up a space but not overwhelm it in brightness. There’s currently a 12-foot one on Amazon with good reviews for less than $10.

Where I’ve seen indoor strings of lights the most is in college dorm rooms, where the rooms are often windowless, and lacking in good lighting. Those lights were only cheap Christmas tree decorating lights, salvaged off Craigslist or in garage sales, but the effect was immediate and cozy when they were lit. If you want the look in your own home to be a little more classy, there are strings of lights that are made specifically for draping in the corners or along the upper corners of your walls or ceilings. I have also seen them draped in reading nooks, along the tops of four-poster bed frames, and above framed art on the walls to draw attention to it. If you want to learn how to make the adorable fairy lights you see on the left, visit Espirit Cabane for the full instructions (and more pictures!)

Strings of lights are also popular at larger parties, especially outdoors, so that the host/hostess can keep the area dark and friendly-feeling without leading to undue falling as guests struggle to navigate an area they are unfamiliar with. If your lights are going to be exposed to the elements, make sure they are a kind suitable for the outdoors, and that one storm won’t render them useless. Check out Urbanspoon’s excellent blog post about all the varieties of outdoor lighting options available to you if you want to learn more about this style of outside decoration. Several options I didn’t even know existed (now they have solar-powered strings of lights?).