Curtain Lights: How to Hang & Style Them

Quick answer: hanging and styling curtain lights

Curtain lights are strings of LEDs that hang in vertical strands from one horizontal top wire, creating a waterfall of light across windows, walls and doorways. To hang them, fix the top wire along the edge you're decorating using adhesive hooks, small nails or an existing curtain rod, then let the strands fall naturally without untwisting them. Match the set to your space — 1.2 x 2m for a small window, 2 x 2m for a standard one, 4 x 2m or 4 x 2.4m for full walls and shopfronts — and browse our full curtain lights range while you're at it. Read on for the complete hanging and styling guide.

Why curtain lights work so well

Most string lights trace a line; curtain lights fill a plane. One 4 x 2m waterfall curtain turns a wall into more than a thousand points of light from a single plug — coverage you'd need ten strings of fairy lights to match.

They're forgiving to install, too. All the strands hang from one top wire, so you need only one straight fixing line and the curtain arranges itself — the rental-friendly choice: a few clear adhesive hooks, no drilling, no marks.

Types of curtain lights

Not every "curtain light" is built the same way. These are the four families you'll see in our range:

Waterfall curtains are the classic style: straight vertical strands of LEDs falling from a horizontal bar. They come in 1.2 x 2m, 2 x 2m, 4 x 2m and 4 x 2.4m sizes, in white, warm white, multicolour, white-blue, pink-white and cool-and-warm combinations. Some models, like our 288 LED connectable curtains, chase and flash along the strands and link together to cover wider walls.

Star curtain lights replace plain strands with glowing star or snowflake motifs — 9 to 11-piece sets that read as a wall of stars, including a 24 LED colour-change model that cycles slowly through the palette.

Cluster curtains use the same dense, twisted-wire LED clusters as our cluster lights, arranged vertically. They carry roughly twice the bulbs per strand, so they read as a solid wall of light rather than single points — the strongest statement of the three.

Net lights weave LEDs into a flexible grid you stretch across bushes, hedges and walls. If you're dressing a hedge rather than a window, a 2 x 2m net light is the faster option.

Choosing the right size curtain light

Size is the one decision you can't fix after the fact, because LED strands should never be cut to length. Measure the width of the area first, then match it to the closest set:

A 1.2 x 2m curtain suits single windows and bedside walls; 2 x 2m is the all-rounder for standard windows and feature walls; 4 x 2m or 4 x 2.4m sets handle double-width windows, shopfronts and full walls — or run two 288 LED connectable curtains side by side. The strands drop roughly 2 to 2.4 metres, so on tall walls hang the top wire higher and let the curtain fall into the eyeline rather than stopping short.

How to hang curtain lights

Hanging a curtain light takes about ten minutes. Work in this order and you'll avoid the two classic mistakes — untwisted strands and a sagging top wire:

1. Measure and mark your fixing line. Hold the curtain up unplugged, find where the bottom strand should end, and pencil the line at both ends.
2. Fix the top wire first. Mount hooks every 30 to 40cm along your marked line and rest the wire across them — never let the strands support their own weight.
3. Let the strands drop naturally. Release the strands one handful at a time and let them hang. Resist the urge to comb them straight — they settle into place under their own weight within minutes.
4. Separate twists, don't untangle. Lift wrapped strands apart from near the top. Never pull sideways — that's how LEDs get stress-damaged.
5. Plug in and test before styling. Check every strand lights, and confirm any function dial or remote settings (steady, twinkle, chase) before you start arranging.
6. Adjust spacing last. Slide strands along the wire for even coverage, then squint from three metres back — gaps show up from a distance.

How to hang curtain lights without drilling

Renters, rejoice — curtain lights are the easiest large-scale Christmas lighting to hang damage-free:

• Clear adhesive hooks. Command-style hooks every 30 to 40cm carry the top wire — respect the full bonding time before loading.
• Your existing curtain rod. Zip ties or S-hooks loop the top wire straight onto the rod — the lights layer beautifully behind sheer curtains.
• Tension rods for doorways and arches. A spring-loaded rod wedged across the frame gives you an instant fixing line with zero fixings.
• Picture rail or cornice. In homes with picture rails, clear zip ties around the rail are invisible from below.

Where to use curtain lights (and how to style them)

The three places curtain lights look best are the three places people gather at Christmas — windows, doorways and party walls:

Windows. This is the signature look — a white or warm white waterfall curtain behind your sheers so the whole window glows from the street. For the kids' window, layer the 576 LED rainbow curtain instead.

Bedrooms and kids' rooms. A warm white curtain behind sheer drapes is the softest nightlight there is. Battery-operated sets from our battery lights range free you from needing a powerpoint nearby.

Doorways and arches. Run a 1.2m curtain across the frame at door height so people walk through the light. On covered verandahs, a 2 x 2m curtain turns the entrance into the feature of the whole outdoor display.

Events and shopfronts. Weddings and end-of-year displays all use the same trick: connectable curtains run side by side behind the gift table, set to a slow twinkle.

Curtain lights vs net lights vs icicle lights

They're cousins, but each suits a different surface:

If the surface is flat and vertical, go curtain. If it's round and shrubby, go net. If it's horizontal overhead, icicle lights are the answer. And if you're building a full outdoor scene, our Christmas lights hub ties every style together.

Quick tips for styling curtain lights

• Warm white for calm, multicolour for fun. Warm white curtain lights suit grown-up spaces and layer with any decor; multicolour and white-blue sets are the party look.
• Never cut the strands. LED curtain strands are wired in series circuits — cutting one strand can kill the whole set. Buy the size you need or overlap two sets.
• Keep the transformer out of the weather. For outdoor use, hang curtains on covered facades or verandahs and protect the plug end in a weatherproof box.
• Layer with sheers, not heavy drapes. Heavy blockout fabric hides the strands; sheer voile diffuses each LED into a soft glow.
• Buy a timer or use smart plugs. Curtains draw more power than a single string — put them on a dusk-to-dawn schedule from our lighting accessories range and stop climbing behind the couch.
• Take them down wound, not folded. Wind the top wire loosely with the strands hanging free, then store flat in a tub — never bundle the strands.

Caring for and storing curtain lights

Curtain lights fail for two reasons: strand stress and water where it shouldn't be. Keep the strands hanging free — a strand pinned midway carries tension it wasn't designed for — and wipe dust from the bulbs before storing, because dusty LEDs dim noticeably over a season.

At pack-up, unplug, release the top wire and wind it loosely while the strands hang through your other hand, then slide the curtain into a flat box from our light storage range. It'll come out straight and tangle-free next December.

Frequently Asked Questions — Curtain Lights

How do you hang curtain lights without nails?

Use clear adhesive hooks every 30 to 40cm along the top wire, loop the wire onto a curtain rod with zip ties, or wedge a tension rod across a doorway. The top wire carries the weight, so you only need one fixing line — no drilling.

What size curtain lights do I need?

Measure the width of your window or wall and match it to the set: 1.2 x 2m for single windows, 2 x 2m for standard windows and feature walls, 4 x 2m or 4 x 2.4m for double-width windows and shopfronts. Connectable curtains join side by side for wider runs.

Can curtain lights be used outdoors?

Yes — hang them on covered verandahs, alfresco areas and facades protected from direct rain, and keep the plug and transformer sheltered. For exposed surfaces like hedges, net lights are the more weather-tolerant choice.

What is the difference between curtain lights and net lights?

Curtain lights hang as vertical strands from a single top wire and suit flat vertical surfaces like windows and walls. Net lights weave LEDs into a mesh you stretch over bushes and hedges. Same twinkle, different geometry.

How do you keep curtain lights from tangling?

Don't untangle them — release each handful near the top and let the strands hang free, separating twists from the top down. At pack-up, wind the wire loosely with the strands hanging and store flat in a tub.

Can you cut curtain lights to size?

No. The strands are wired in series circuits, so cutting shortens nothing and can break the circuit for the whole set. Choose the closest size and let excess width overlap, or run a smaller curtain centred on the space.

Do curtain lights twinkle or move?

Plain waterfall curtains give a steady glow, while flash and connectable models offer twinkle, chase and waterfall-in-motion effects. Star curtain styles add colour-changing motifs on top of the strand effect.

What colours do curtain lights come in?

Our range covers white, warm white, cool and warm white, multicolour, white-blue, pink-white and rainbow. Warm white is the most popular for living spaces; multicolour and rainbow are the festive favourites for kids' rooms and shopfronts.