Residential Christmas Light Installation Themes and Ideas

Residential Christmas Light Installation Themes and Ideas

Choosing a theme is the fun part of professional Christmas lighting. Here are six of the most popular looks we design and install on Portland area homes, from timeless whites to full Griswold. Every display below uses commercial-grade LED bulbs, so the color you pick stays bright through the whole Northwest winter.

Elegant pure white Christmas lights on a suburban home

Pure White

A pure white arrangement typically consists of string lights with C9 round bulbs that emit a vibrant yet clean, bright white glow. The bulbs can be arranged in a variety of patterns, such as straight lines or clusters, and spaced closer together or further apart depending on the socket wire spacing.

For rooflines we use classic round bulbs, but to set your display apart you can add more decorative shapes like stars or icicle lights. The result is a classic, elegant look that's perfect for creating a winter wonderland atmosphere. Pure white bulbs create a vibrant and inviting ambiance, and because we install commercial-grade LEDs, the display is durable, energy-efficient, and long-lasting.

Warm white Christmas lights installed on a Portland home

Warm White

A warm white arrangement uses C9 round bulbs that emit a soft, yellowish-white glow. Warm white creates a cozy and inviting ambiance, reminiscent of the warmth of a crackling fireplace on a cold winter's night. As with all our installations, we use commercial-grade LEDs for durability, energy efficiency, and long life.

These systems can include features like dimming options, timer settings, and remote control, making it easy to customize the lighting to your preferences. Bulbs also come in shapes and textures such as frosted glass or visible filaments that add a touch of elegance. Warm white is the classic, timeless way to add festive cheer to a home for the holidays.

Cool white Christmas lighting on a large home surrounded by trees

Cool White

Cool white bulbs emit a bright, bluish-white light with a crisp effect. Unlike warm white's amber glow, cool white has a higher color temperature and produces a more intense, almost blue-white light.

Cool white is often chosen for a modern, sophisticated look. It pairs beautifully with metallics and other cool-toned decor, and it gives off a bright, energetic glow that catches the eye. For a chic and stylish holiday display, this is the go-to.

House with elegant candy cane themed Christmas lights

Candy Cane

A red and white alternating bulb arrangement creates the instantly recognizable candy cane pattern. The lights can run in rows along the roofline or around windows and doors, or hang vertically to create a striped column effect.

Other red and white decorations like bows, garlands, and ornaments can be added to tie the whole display together into one cohesive look. Candy cane displays are fun and festive, adding a touch of whimsy and nostalgia that delights everyone who sees them.

House with blue Christmas lights installed by Saint Nicks in Portland

Winter Wonderland

A blue and white display arranges lights in shades of blue and white to create a cool, serene winter wonderland atmosphere, in straight lines or clusters of varying sizes.

The mix is adjustable to taste. More white with fewer blue bulbs creates a softer, more subtle effect, while more blue with fewer white bulbs turns up the drama. Blue and white ornaments, ribbons, and garlands can round out the display. The result evokes a snowy landscape, tranquil and elegant, and it works beautifully both indoors and out.

House with elegant Christmas lighting by Saint Nicks in Portland

Griswold Green

Every holiday light enthusiast is inspired by Clark Griswold. A green and white display is a beautiful and festive sight, with a color scheme reminiscent of winter landscapes and the pine trees we associate with the season.

Strings of green and white lights intertwine for a dazzling effect. The green can represent the branches of a Christmas tree while the white resembles snowflakes and icicles, arranged in clusters and patterns across the display. Green and white also work wonderfully for illuminating other elements, like a nativity scene or Santa Claus and his reindeer.

See Your Home in Any of These Themes

Not sure which look fits your house? Get a free design mockup and see your own home lit in the theme of your choice before a single bulb goes up. Then let our crew handle the design, installation, maintenance, and takedown.

Nick Hiatt, owner of Saint Nick's Christmas Lights

Nick Hiatt

Owner, Saint Nick's Christmas Lights, Portland, Oregon

I spent 25 years on ladders around the Northwest before Saint Nick's was ever a company, and I've been designing and installing custom holiday lighting in the Portland area ever since. I write these guides myself. No fluff, just what I'd tell you standing in your driveway.