How Do Lanterns Work: A Guide
Want to add something folksy yet functional, whimsical yet elegant, to your lighting display?
Lanterns are most definitely the answer you're looking for. But how do they work? Are they safe to use indoors as well as outside?
Understandably, you might have a few questions, but the first thing you should know about lanterns is that they produce an intimate, homely glow that takes your space's atmosphere up a notch.
Below, you'll find all the need-to-know info on lanterns, as well as how to style them indoors and how to hang them from trees, walls and pergolas.
What are lanterns?
If you've ever seen a light source with a paper house or metal casing around it with a handle attached, that's a lantern. We see them often at festivals and parties with colour paper coverings or intricately patterned containers but lanterns have a rich legacy in many cultures, including Japan and China.
These jazzed-up candle holders traditionally housed (you guessed it!) candles and kerosene bulbs and people used them to get about in the dark. Now, they transform our gardens with their cosy, warm ambience.
Are lanterns illegal?
Nope! Since they're not classed as fireworks, candle lanterns are not illegal in the UK. While there is no denying that the gentle flickering of a real flame is stunning, these types of lanterns come with inherent safety risks that may make you think twice about putting them in your lighting display.
Luckily, you don't have to forgo lanterns completely with our LED garden lanterns. Stay true to their humble roots with an LED candle option or embrace modern styles that use festoon bulbs. You can enjoy their shine with complete peace of mind and no worries about unfortunate accidents.
How to install an outdoor lantern
This very much depends on the type of outdoor lanterns and where you're putting them up but, in any case, installation is usually hassle-free.
Garden walls and fences
The easiest way to secure lanterns to hard materials like brick and wood is by installing hooks and nails. You've got to be careful when drilling straight into brick since there is a risk that you'll crack it. Instead, drill into the mortar and put in wall plugs using a rubber mallet every 50 cm or so. You can then safely screw in your hooks or nails. Of course, there are also hanging methods that don't involve making holes in your walls, like detachable brick clips and mounting tape.
With your fences, you can use the posts as your guide for anchor points. Hang solo lanterns directly off posts or install hooks and nails using the process above.
Pergolas and gazebos
You can place your lanterns around the base of your pergola or gazebo or go for hanging paper lanterns fixed to the ceiling and beams for a folksier option. These pendant lights look their best when layered with other lighting and are convenient to install thanks to the built-in aluminium spring hooks.
Decking, walkways and stairs
If you opt for larger lanterns, you can create an eye-catching display outlining your walkways, decking and stairs. You can install metal shepherd's-crook poles on either side of garden paths and the borders of your garden for a traditional look. These hooks come in adjustable heights and have a stake at the bottom to easily slide into grass or soil.
Alternatively, for something a little more contemporary, group together lanterns of different sizes on your patio and stairs. This just requires a keen eye for styling when installing.
How to hang lanterns indoors
Accessorising with lanterns gives your décor a rustic vibe and a sense of comfort that suits every occasion. Although you might not necessarily 'hang' them, there are so many ways to style table lanterns, whether they're standing pride of place on the mantel, demurely arranged in the hallway or lining your staircase.
If, on the other hand, you do want to hang them, you can attach lanterns to your curtain rails or ceiling using hooks or adhesive clips. These are great options if you're renting or don't want to make any permanent damage to your interior walls.
How to hang lanterns from trees
Nestling some lanterns above in your trees creates a canopy of lights that makes your garden look perfectly mystical. It's easy to get our lantern string lights up there too! You'll want to stay away from anything that harms the bark or wood of the tree, like nails or staples, and go for tree-friendly methods like string, rope or hooks.
- Plan out the layout of your lanterns, focusing mainly on the bottom branches so the light is cast upwards and they're still clearly visible from below. You can play around with shadows and leaves to create some depth and character.
- If your trees are particularly tall, you might need your ladder to help you reach the limbs and foliage. You can wrap string lights around branches, drape them between limbs or vary the lengths of individual hanging lanterns to give them a sense of movement.
- At every chosen anchor point (the great thing is that they don't have to be uniform in a tree!), secure the lanterns by attaching them to the bark with string or rope.
How to arrange fairy lights or flowers in a lantern
We already know that lanterns have evolved far beyond their traditional image of a single candle in a metal casing, but adding fairy lights makes for a truly show-stopping display. You can opt for models with the lights already built in, like our Solar Bronze Firefly Lantern, or try your hand at some DIY.
Simply purchase some of our battery-operated fairy lights in the design you like and an empty lantern. Open it and place half of the lights into the lantern, styling them as you like, before popping the rest in and hiding the battery pack in the middle. You could instead leave a length of cable out of the case to easily turn it on and off.
How to clean a lantern
Dirt and dust can accumulate on your lantern and dull its glow after a while, especially if you keep it outside. You can have them glittering like new by giving your lanterns a quick clean.
- Once you've turned off the power, grab your duster to get rid of any dust, cobwebs or loose bits of dirt that have built up.
- Use a soft, non-abrasive sponge and warm soapy solution to gently clean the exterior of the lantern.
- Dry off your lantern with a microfibre cloth for a streak-free finish.
Glowing reviews from our experts
Why buy lanterns from Festive Lights?
Once you learn how to hang your lanterns, the natural next step is to get your own and make your garden vision a reality. You'll be spoiled for choice when you buy lanterns from Festive Lights and we're confident our products are heads and shoulders above the rest.
We're primed and ready to light up your garden; just say the word! Here's why you shouldn't go anywhere else for your lighting needs:
- 25 years of lighting: We've been in the business since 1999, so you might say we know a thing or two about lanterns.
- Trustpilot-approved: You'll find thousands of positive reviews left by customers who were 'de-lighted' by our service and lights.
- Glowing aftercare: Enjoy free delivery on purchases over £75 when ordering to a mainland GB address and benefit from the confidence that we have a hassle-free returns policy just in case.
- The finest products: Every lantern in our collection comes with a 12-month warranty and is made to the highest standards.
You might have more questions on how to hang up lanterns so be sure to give us a call or drop us an email. There's also more lighting advice and tips on our blog and our Knowledge Centre.
Lantern FAQs
Are candle and gas lanterns safe?
Yes, candles and gas lanterns are safe when used responsibly and carefully, but they have inherent risks. Battery-operated lanterns are considerably safer, which is why they're our favourites here at Festive Lights.
Candle and gas lanterns are fire hazards, so you shouldn't leave them unattended, and there is also the worry about pets or children knocking them over. You can leave these concerns behind and enjoy an identical glow with our candle LED lanterns. Take them outside and leave them 'burning' for as long as you like.
Are Chinese lanterns banned?
Not at all! Hanging Chinese lanterns in your garden is a delightful nod to the ancient cultural tradition of celebration, worship and illumination. While we wouldn't recommend using real candles in your lanterns, you can use battery-operated options in your garden or your home safely without worry and enjoy the cosy glimmer they give off.
How to charge a solar lantern?
Solar lanterns work just like any other solar lights and need exposure to sunlight to fully charge up. Whether you place them inside or outdoors, you can achieve the brightest shine by positioning the solar panels in direct sunlight and leaving them to charge for six to eight hours. And voila! Once the sun goes down, there will be light!
What to put in lanterns besides candles?
If you fancy adding some pizzazz to your LED candle lanterns, let your creative side run wild! You can surround the inner light with sleek stones and pebbles, fairy lights, flowers, small succulents and plants for a stylish and interesting focal point for your garden or living room.
These decorative touches may only be suitable for certain types of lights – for example, filament lights tend to get hot so you might want to keep anything flammable away from the bulbs. You can always check the product description of the light you're buying to see what bulbs they use.
Why is my solar lantern not working?
If your solar lights are sputtering weakly before going out or not turning on at all, don't panic. There are a few reasons that could explain their underperformance so hold off on chucking them away until you've had a chance to investigate.
You can check our solar lights troubleshooting blog for more detailed advice but, typically, the main reasons for a solar lantern emitting little-to-no light are as follows:
- Issues with the battery: This is the most likely cause. Your new lights' battery is unlikely to be full or it may not be holding enough charge so it's worth leaving it to charge up for 36-48 hours before using it.
- Obscured solar panels: Obstructions like leaves, dirt and smudges may be blocking the panels from absorbing the lights. Reposition it to receive as much sunlight as possible or give the panels a clean with a microfibre cloth.
- Near other lighting: Solar lights rely on a sensor to tell if it's daytime, so being too close to other lighting sources can confuse it and prevent the lights from switching on at night. You can completely cover the solar panel at night to simulate nighttime or move it to a better position.