Stringing small lights around your backyard deck can make it feel like a vintage café. Putting colored lights in your kids’ bedrooms or warm lights in your garden can also create a cozy ambience. This trend of decorating with string lights has become really popular, and many of us didn’t expect it. But why do these little lights make us feel good?
The string lights market has grown a lot in the U.S. and around the world over the past few years. This started as a fun decorating idea before the pandemic, but as people stayed home more, they used these lights both inside and outside more often. Reports show that the global string lights market was nearly $450 million in 2021, and it’s expected to reach over $768 million by 2027.
Why Should We Use String Lights?
String lights are like backyard bonfires, cozy fireplaces, or our favorite candles. These little lights make us feel good. According to WebMD, some benefits of decorating with lights are:
- Making us feel closer to others
- Improving our mood
- Making us feel more hopeful.
Why Do We Feel Happy When We See String Lights?
Many people feel happier when they see small lights because it causes the brain to release dopamine, a chemical that makes us feel good. Research shows that colorful holiday lights have this effect, and so do decorative string lights. This is due to something called color therapy, which means that seeing colorful or pretty lights makes our brains release happy chemicals. This type of therapy is used to help people with anxiety and depression.
Holiday Memories
A while ago, we mostly used indoor lights for holidays, such as Christmas and New Year. Many holidays use lights, so seeing string lights can make us remember these special times and feel cozy and relaxed.
Ideas for Using String Lights
If you want to feel happier, try using string lights. Pick spots you want to make more inviting, like your bedroom for a cozy glow or in the corners of a rec room where you want people to hang out more.
You can find string lights in yellow or different colors online or at home improvement stores. Many grocery stores also sell them in the outdoor section, and even dollar stores have them. Want to try them out first? Use a string or two of your leftover holiday lights. Not all string lights need to be plugged in; some are solar-powered, and some use batteries. Here are some ideas:
- Hang up the lights along the fence of your balcony.
- Wrap small lights around a big potted plant.
- Put a string of lights along the back of a shelf or bookcase.
- Install a strip of small LED lights on top of your kitchen cabinets or under the bottom.
- If you have a canopy bed, drape lights across the top or hang them along the sides.
- Put a small string of lights inside an empty lantern or tall glass container.
What To Consider When Buying String Lights?
- Length. Style. Brightness (it should be not too bright, not too dull).
- Power source (plug in or battery operated).
- Is it easy to install?
- Can we replace bulbs if one of them burns out?
Photo credit: Adobe Stock
