The long life of LED Christmas lights and the fact that they produce very little heat make them ideal candidates for several DIY home improvement projects. In fact the best way to get more bang for the buck (improve ROI in finance parlance) is to use LED based Christmas lights for round the year accent and design lighting. Here are a few examples.

Remember that Christmas lights are meant to be used for short periods not exceeding 60 days at a stretch. Most of the applications described below do not need lights to be switched on round the clock. While attempting any DIY project always ensure your safety and that of those around you. Therefore only attempt those DIY projects that require skills that you possess.

1.    Star studded bathroom ceiling – Install a false ceiling in the bathroom. Drill small holes in the ceiling and glue individual LED bulbs of a Christmas light string to the holes. The LED string will use only 5 watts per hour (for a 100 bulb string) and you will have your own star studded ceiling.

2.    Television with an aura – If you like the look of Philips ambilight TVs but would not like to invest in one you can use your Christmas light strings to create a back light effect for your television. All you have to do is place a string behind the television and plug it in.

3.    Backlit Bookshelf- Similarly, a light string placed discreetly behind the shelves in a bookshelf can create excellent indirect lighting for the bookshelf.

4.    Lighting up the kitchen – In the kitchen string lights can be used to illuminate the interior of the kitchen cabinets or to provide indirect light in the kitchen. All you need to do is - place a string over the kitchen cabinets. Its gentle light will move right up to the ceiling to create an interesting effect. You could also place a string of lights in a woven basket and place it on top of the cabinets.  This ‘hushed’ light is ideal whenever you want lighting that’s soft and kind on the eyes.

5.    Dining in style- Restaurants often have dim lighting because it gives a comfortable romantic feel. Use the holiday strings in the dining area to create that look.  You could also put a string in a large glass vase and set it aglow when you begin the meal.

6.    Brightening up the Storage Area- Storage spaces are often poorly lit. They have a dull look and poor visibility. One rarely feels like rummaging through the junk and setting things in order. However, using a strand of Christmas lights you can brighten up the space. Use it anywhere – on the ceiling or to line up the walls- and make the place more user friendly.

7.    The Kids’s hangout- The dormitory or the basement where kids love to spend their time can be enlivened with these lights. They provide sufficient lighting for watching a movie or playing video games but are not unnecessarily bright. They are perfect for teenagers who love it if their recreation area is bathed in low light. For little children draw a faint outline of their favourite cartoon character or animal on the wall. String the Christmas lights all along the outline. Enjoy the way a bunny or cat will light up the little one’s faces. Use your imagination to create the Sun in the Solar system or let your kids witness an erupting volcano.

8.    Adding cheer to outer space- You can effectively use these lights in outdoor areas like the patio, porch or deck. It’s best to avoid proximity to water. Use them around the seating to create a cozy and comfortable niche.

9.    Battery powered lights – LED light strings use very little electricity. A 20 bulb string can be lit with a one volt electricity source. A single ‘AA’ cell or a few of them combined in series or in parallel can be used to light a LED bulb string. These are best used in areas that do not have a readily accessible electricity outlet.

10.    Celebrations Galore-You do not have to limit your celebrations to Christmas. Use them on all festive occasions like Easter or Halloween and even on your birthday.  Surprise your dear ones with a bouquet of flowers that is lit up with battery powered lights!  
A tiny dose of imagination, a dash of creativity, a bit of care and a string of LED Christmas lights- it’s a perfect concoction for bringing cheer to your house in more ways than one!