Using Christmas light bulbs all year long is a great way to brighten up your patio or outdoor space. With the right bulbs and cords, you can easily customize your lighting to fit any occasion. For commercial-style patio cords - the kind you find at big box stores with standard, uninspired bulbs - you'll shop for bulbs with E26 bases. To repurpose Christmas cords, you'll want round bulbs with either E12 bases (for C7 cords) or E17 bases (for C9 cords). Round bulbs are manufactured in 3 sizes - G30, G40, and G50.
Personalize for any occasion
Choosing your own bulbs instead of purchasing pre-configured sets allows you to get creative with color combinations. For example, red, white, and blue bulbs can be used to celebrate summer and the 4th of July, green bulbs for St. Patrick's Day, or the colors of a favorite sports team. You could even use colors to celebrate the choice of a college for a college freshman. Of course, white bulbs are always a classic choice and can add a touch of magic to any space.
LED or Glass
You can also tailor your light string by choosing either LED or glass incandescent. Choose the style that reflects your taste. Consider also, that for limited electrical service, LED bulbs require up to 90% less electricity than their incandescent counterparts.
Choose the right cord
When selecting bulbs for your outdoor space, it's important to consider the type of cord you'll be using. As mentioned earlier, patio cords require bulbs with E26 bases, while Christmas cords come in either E12 or E17 sizes depending on the type of bulb. Make sure you choose bulbs that are compatible with your cord to avoid any potential electrical hazards.
Mix and Match Color
Another great thing about choosing your own bulbs is the ability to mix and match colors. Whether you want to create a festive display for the holidays or simply add a pop of color to your patio, you can easily customize your lighting to suit your preferences. You can even choose different colors for different occasions, such as green and red for Christmas, pink and red for Valentine's Day, or orange and black for Halloween.
Get Started
Here are a few links to get you started.
- See our patio cords page for links to blogs and helpful videos.
- Shop for bulbs
- Shop for cords
Whether you're looking for LED or glass bulbs, warm white or pure white, or E12, E17, or E26 base sizes, we have you covered. And by purchasing bulbs and cords separately, you have the freedom to mix and match and create a custom lighting design that is unique to your space and style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, using Christmas bulbs for year-round outdoor lighting is a fun and creative way to add personality and charm to your outdoor space. With a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and colors to choose from, you can easily customize your lighting to suit any occasion or style. And with the high-quality products available at Christmas Light Source, you can trust that your lighting will be safe, efficient, and long-lasting.