At Miller Outdoors, we believe your home’s exterior sets the mood, and the right lighting can bring joy, warmth, and wow-factor. If you’re considering adding outdoor holiday lights this season, here are seven thoughtfully designed ideas—explained in simple terms—so you know exactly how we can help, why each approach works, and what to keep in mind. We’ll speak plainly, so you feel comfortable choosing what fits your home and lifestyle.
1. Classic Accent Outline
Start with outlining your roofline, eaves, windows and entryway using subtle white or warm white lights. This approach gives structure to your home and gently highlights architectural features. We can install a string of LED lights around the perimeter so your home pops after dark but doesn’t go overboard.
- Using warm white LED string lights around roof edges keeps things elegant.
- By choosing LED, you get lower power use and less heat, which adds safety.
- We can work with your existing wiring or install a dedicated exterior outlet for clean setup.
Why this works: It’s simple and classy. You’re not trying to compete with your neighbour’s full-on display; instead you’re giving your home a polished, inviting glow. And because we’re professionals, we ensure the wiring is safe, properly secured, and weather-resistant.
Related blog:10 Benefits of Using Outdoor LED Lights for Your Home and Garden
2. Bold Colored Outdoor Christmas Lights
If you want something more festive, at Miller Outdoors we can install colored outdoor Christmas lights that bring playful energy and brighten your landscape. Think red and green along shrubs, deep blue icicle lights hanging from gutters, or multi-colour strands wrapped around a front porch post.
- Wrap shrubs or trees with red, green and blue lights to create a cheerful effect.
- Hang icicle style coloured lights from gutters or along eaves for a dripping-light look.
- Combine coloured lights with white accents to balance excitement and elegance.
Why this works: Colour attracts attention and creates a festive atmosphere. But without proper installation you risk uneven wiring, strain on circuits or water damage. We handle the details—from choosing outdoor-rated lights to securing them and managing safe power loads—so you get the fun look without the hassle.
3. Highlighting Trees & Landscape Features
The exterior of your home often includes landscaped areas, trees, pathways and outdoor-living zones. We can install outdoor holiday lights in these spaces to highlight features and extend your enjoyment into the evening.
- Uplight tree trunks with warm white spotlights; wrap branches with micro-lights for sparkle.
- String lights across a pergola or patio overhang to create ambient glow for outdoor living spaces.
- Line a pathway with low-voltage lights or colour-accented luminaires to guide guests to your front door.
Why this works: Landscapes provide natural structure that lights can emphasize. We integrate the lighting with your garden, patios or pool area (we also do pool design & construction) so the effect is seamless. Plus we ensure outdoor wiring is protected and meets safety standards.
4. Year-Round Lights for House Appeal
Rather than just seasonal display, consider installing year-round lights for house use. These can double as accent lighting for landscaping or architecture, and then you just change colours or effects for the holidays.
- Use durable outdoor LED strips or fixed fixtures that stay installed all year—but switch colours or patterns for holiday periods.
- Add lighting under roof overhangs or along walkways that remain subtle most of the year, then “amp up” during winter holidays.
- Ensure the fixtures are weather-proof, energy efficient, and easy to control (via timer or smart switch).
Why this works: You pay once for installation, but you get use all year—not just in December. We at Miller Outdoors handle the hardware, control system and finish so you don’t have to worry about seasonal re-installing and removing. When the holidays roll in, you flip a switch and your whole home lights up with festive flair.
5. Themed Lighting Effects
Want something more creative? We can design themed lighting like colour-chasing, sparkle effects, or “wave” of light across your house to make the home stand out.
- Install programmable LED strings that change colours slowly (for example shifting red-green-white) to create movement.
- Map lights around architectural features—windows, columns, roof peaks—and programme them to brighten sequentially.
- Layer lights: base warm white for everyday, with accent coloured bulbs for holidays—and switch from one mode to the other.
Why this works: It gives that wow factor without being gaudy. The design remains tasteful but fun. And because we’re doing the planning, wiring and programming, you get complexity but the control stays simple. You pick the theme; we do the work.
6. Safe & Smart Installation
Any lighting idea is only good if it’s installed safely and smartly. At Miller Outdoors we always follow best safety practices for outdoor holiday lights so your home is lit and safe.
- Lights and cords must be rated for exterior use—indoors-only sets can fail in weather or cause hazards.
- Outdoor wiring should plug into GFCI (ground-fault circuit interrupter) outlets to reduce shock risk.
- Inspect existing lights for frays, broken sockets, exposed wires—anything damaged needs replacement.
- Avoid overloading circuits, running cords under rugs or through doors, or hanging lights with staples that can damage insulation.
- Use smart timers or switches so lights turn off automatically when you’re out or overnight—saves energy and extends life of fixtures.
Why this matters: A mis-installed light display can lead to wiring issues, fire risk or unsightly sagging wires. With professional installation, we take care of the technical details, keep wiring hidden or neatly mounted, and set it all so you don’t have to worry. You just enjoy the display.
7. Planning & Budgeting with Miller Outdoors
Lighting your home should feel fun — not stressful. When you partner with Miller Outdoors we help you plan, budget and execute your lighting project as part of your larger outdoor-living setup.
- We’ll meet to discuss your home’s style, the amount of lighting you want, whether you want seasonal only or year-round.
- We’ll integrate lighting with any ongoing or planned work: for example if you are doing a new patio or outdoor living space, we can tie the lights in. (See our Outdoor Living Spaces Design & Construction page.)
- We can even work alongside your landscape or pool design: if you plan a pool design & construction or fresh landscaping, lighting can be coordinated for maximum impact.
- Use our Landscape Design Cost Calculator to estimate budget, so you know what the project involves before we install.
- After planning, we do installation, testing and hand-off so you can simply flip the switch and enjoy.
Why this matters: Lighting isn’t just hanging strings—it’s part of your home’s outdoor look and feel. At Miller Outdoors we take a holistic view: lights, landscape, patios, pools—all working together. That means one company, one plan, less hassle for you.
Contact Miller Outdoors in Louisiana
Lighting your home with outdoor holiday lights brings joy, curb-appeal and memorable evenings. From classic outlines to bold coloured displays, from highlighting landscapes to installing year-round accent lighting, Miller Outdoors is ready to guide you, design and install a lighting plan built around your home. Good lighting isn’t just decoration—it’s part of your home’s personality and your living space.
If you’re ready to make your home shine this season (and beyond), call us at (504) 452-3131 or click to Schedule Your Discovery Call. We look forward to helping you light it right—with style, safety and ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use indoor lights outside for my display?
No—lights designed just for indoor use may not be weather-proof, may have insulation that fails outdoors, and could pose a hazard. Outdoor-rated lights are built for moisture, wind and temperature changes.
Q: What colours work best for outdoor holiday lights?
It depends on your home and your taste. Warm white is timeless and elegant; coloured lights (red/green/blue) bring festive energy. You can also use a base neutral white all year and add coloured accents for the holidays.
Q: How about leaving lights up all year—would that work?
Yes—if you choose fixtures and wiring rated for constant outdoor use, you can enjoy lighting year-round. Installing year-round lights for house accenting architecture and landscape means you pay once and enjoy always. We coordinate this with the rest of your outdoor plan.
Q: Will all this cost a lot?
Costs vary with size of home, landscape complexity, number of lights and whether you want programmable effects. Using our Landscape Design Cost Calculator gives you a ball-park, then we provide a detailed quote. We aim for clarity so you know what to expect.
Q: How long will the installation take?
Again, it depends on scope. Basic outline-lighting can be done in a few hours. A full themed, integrated landscape and pool lighting job might take a day or more. We schedule around your availability and weather conditions.
