Festoon lights (also referred to as string or cafe lights) have become an increasingly popular choice for both outdoor and indoor lighting in Australia, providing a warm, welcoming ambiance in any environment – be it your backyard, patio, wedding venue or cafe. If you are considering premium festoon lights to buy in Australia this guide made by consulting experts like Fusion Lighting will assist in making an informed purchase decision.
Define Your Lighting Requirements
Before shopping for festoon lights, it is crucial to understand your lighting requirements. Consider these factors when making this important decision:
Location and Purpose for Festoon Lights
For outdoor or indoor use? On what purpose are festoon lights being used – decorating for a special event, improving aesthetics outdoors or creating cozy indoor environments?
Length: Measure the area you wish to illuminate to determine how many strings of lights will be required. Understanding your specific lighting requirements will enable you to select festoon lights with the ideal type, length and style specifications for you.
Select the Proper Bulbs
Festoon lights feature various bulb types that offer unique ambience:
- Incandescent Bulbs: Incandescent bulbs provide a warm and soft light, which makes for the ideal cozy atmosphere. However, they may consume more energy than LED alternatives.
- LED Bulbs: LED festoon lights are energy efficient and long-lasting, providing bright, crisp lighting with lower energy usage than incandescent bulbs. Consider opting for eco-friendly festoon lights when searching for energy saving lighting options.
Select a bulb type that best meets your desired lighting effect and energy efficiency preferences.
Compare Bulb Type and Size
Festoon lights come with bulbs of various shapes and sizes. Common options include globe, vintage Edison, and teardrop. Your choice of bulb shape can have an impactful impact on your lighting design; smaller bulbs may create an intricate or delicate appearance, while larger bulbs create bold displays.
Determine Cord Type
The cord or cable that supports festoon lights also plays an integral part in their look and functionality, with options including:
- Rubber Cable: Rubber cables are durable and weather-resistant, making them suitable for outdoor use in all weather conditions.
- PVC Cables: are less costly, making them suitable for both indoor use or sheltered outdoor usage.
- Commercial-Grade Cable: If you plan to use festoon lights commercially, heavy-duty, commercial-grade cables that can withstand repeated use should be used. Its 5. Check Weather Resistance.
If you plan to use festoon lights outside, make sure they can withstand Australia’s climate. Look for festoon lights with an IP (Ingress Protection) rating indicating resistance against dust and moisture; an IP65 rating or higher would be most suitable for outdoor use to ensure they can withstand rain storms or other severe weather events.
Explore Color Options
Festoon lights come in an assortment of colors, from warm white and cool white, multicolor and RGB options – each suitable for different events or outdoor spaces. When selecting your light color scheme, keep this in mind when making your decision; warm white lights tend to create an intimate and welcoming atmosphere while multicolored ones add flair and visual interest.
Calculate the Length Needed
Measure the area you plan to decorate with festoon lights to ascertain how long a cable and bulb setup is necessary. Allow extra length for flexibility and any bends or loops in your design, since festoon lights come in various lengths that might best meet your needs.
Pay Close Attention to Installation
Consider how you intend to install festoon lights. Some options available to you are:
- Suspended: lighting involves hanging lights from trees, pergolas or hooks;
- Stringing: the lights along fences, walls or posts.
- Draping them over an outdoor seating area for an elegant canopy effect.
Make sure the lights you choose are suitable for the installation method you intend on taking and have all necessary accessories, such as hooks, clips or stakes.
Read Reviews and Recommendations
Before making your choice, it is advisable to read customer reviews and seek guidance from friends or family who have previously purchased festoon lights in Australia. Reviews can give insight into quality, durability and performance issues of various brands or models available; furthermore it may help if purchasing from retailers/manufacturers with proven histories of providing excellent customer service.
Compare Prices and Warranties
Finally, compare prices from different retailers to ensure you’re receiving the best value when purchasing premium festoon lights. Also consider whether or not the lights come with warranties to provide peace of mind in case any defects or issues arise.
Conclusion
When purchasing premium festoon lights in Australia, one must carefully assess lighting needs, bulb type and shape/size preferences, cord type, weather resistance features, color options available and installation method before choosing an ideal festoon light that will adorn either indoor or outdoor spaces creating captivating and inviting environments.