6 Ways to Hang Fairy Lights Around Any Window

• 6 Different Styles — From classic drapes to cascading waterfalls, there’s a look that fits your window perfectly.
• Damage-Free Hanging — No drills, no marks on the frames. Landlord-friendly.
• Works on Any Window Shape — Square, arched, bay—we’ve got a setup for each one.
• Flexible Power Options — USB, battery, or plug-in. Pick what works for you.
• Real Customer Review: “The moment those lights click on at dusk, my whole living room just changes.”

Learning how to hang fairy lights around window frames was harder than I expected. First evening in my new apartment last fall, I was sitting on the living room floor staring at a bare window. I’d just unboxed a set of fairy lights, hoping they’d fix the emptiness, but I had no clue how to properly hang fairy lights around window frames without ruining the paint. It was a big window — took up almost half the wall. Outside was my neighbor’s brick wall and an old maple tree. The view wasn’t bad, but the window itself felt empty. I tried curtains. Too formal. I tried window decals. Too childish. Then I saw a photo on my friend Claire’s Instagram — she had warm white fairy lights wrapped around her window frame. The light shining through the glass made the whole window look like a glowing picture frame. I texted her: “How’d you do that?” She said: “Just stuck them up.” Easy for her to say. But I knew “stuck” didn’t mean regular tape. Because I tried that — it lasted three days. So I spent two weekends testing six different ways to hang fairy lights around a window. Messed up two and a half times. This is the complete record of all six methods.

How to Choose the Best Fairy Lights for Your Window Shape

Before you buy any fairy lights, look at your window shape. Standard rectangular window — the most forgiving shape. Anything works. Arched window — run the string lights along the arch. The light will emphasize that curve, and it ends up looking like the outline of a stained glass window in a chapel. Bay window — three sides of glass. You can wrap the decorative lights all the way around the edges and create a little glowing cocoon. Floor-to-ceiling window — lots of vertical space. Perfect for a cascading waterfall look. Your window shape tells you which method to use. Standard windows look best with the full frame. Arched windows shine with a top-only valance. Floor-to-ceiling windows demand a waterfall. Don’t fight your window’s shape — work with it. It’ll do half the design work for you.

Look 1: Classic Curtain Drape With Fairy Lights

This is probably the simplest and most classic look for your fairy lights. How to do it: run the lights from one side of the top of the window to the other, letting them drape naturally in the middle. Like curtains, but glowing. Length: 1.5 times the width of your window. For a 48-inch wide window, use about 70 inches of string lights. Attachment: stick a Command mini hook on each side of the top of the window frame, hang each end of the fairy lights on them. No need to secure the middle — let it hang naturally. The look: light spilling down from the top like a glowing curtain. Works great for living room windows and reading nooks. What I messed up: The first time I pulled the lights too tight — lost all the drape, looked like a glowing clothesline. Later I left about 6-8 inches of sag and it looked right.

Look 2: Full Window Frame With Warm White Fairy Lights

This is the most photogenic method. Most of those “dream windows” you see on Instagram use this setup with warm white fairy lights. How to do it: run the decorative lights all the way around all four sides of the window, creating a glowing frame. Whatever’s outside — trees, sky, street — gets framed in light. Length: 1.2 times the perimeter of your window. (Width + height × 2) × 1.2. Attachment: use clear wire clips or Command strips every 12-16 inches. Use slightly larger clips on the four corners to hold them securely. The look: your window becomes a glowing painting. You’ll stop and look at it every time you walk past. What I messed up: The corners — I didn’t curve the string lights around them at first. They made sharp right angles, which looked like the window was trapped in a box instead of glowing. Leave a little arc at each corner.

Look 3: Top-Only Valance for Small Windows

If you just want a little ambiance without going all in with your fairy lights. How to do it: only the top strip of the window. Run the fairy lights horizontally like a glowing banner. Length: window width + 4-6 inches extra on each side. Attachment: one hook on each side of the top, plus one or two in the middle to prevent sagging. The look: understated but present. Like a glowing tiara on your window. Best for: bedroom windows, small bathroom windows, anywhere you want a little glow without the neighbors seeing too much. What I messed up: When you only hang the top, the string lights can’t be too heavy — otherwise the middle sags too much. Get copper wire ones — they’re half the weight of rubber-coated lights.

Look 4: Cascading Waterfall With Curtain Fairy Lights

This one’s for floor-to-ceiling windows or tall windows. The curtain fairy lights flow down from the top like a glowing waterfall. How to do it: curtain fairy lights hanging vertically from the top of the window. Each strand the same length, creating a “curtain of light.” Length: 1.2 to 1.5 times the height of your window. If your window is 80 inches tall, get 96-120 inch curtain lights. Attachment: run a rod or string across the top of the window, hang the curtain fairy lights from it. The look: lights arranged vertically like a luminous water screen. Every inch of the window gets light. Best for: floor-to-ceiling windows, storefront windows, windows at stair landings. Cost: a bit more than copper wire string lights, but the impact is way bigger. A 10ft × 6ft curtain light set runs about $30-40. Shop curtain fairy lights.

Look 5: Window Canopy for Cozy Reading Nooks

If you have a window seat or a reading nook under your window — this one’s for you. How to do it: extend the fairy lights from the top of the window outward over the window seat area. Like a glowing ceiling. Length: 2 to 3 times the width of the window, to create that “coverage” feeling. Attachment: 3-4 hooks at the top, run the string lights between them to create a glowing “roof.” The look: sitting on the window seat with a warm canopy of light above you. Curling up here with a book — better than any reading lamp. Best for: window seats, bay windows, reading nooks by the window. If you’ve got a window seat, this one’s worth the extra time and length. The result will surprise you.

Look 6: Holiday Display With Decorative Window Lights

Last one is seasonal — for the holidays. Christmas: full frame + warm white fairy lights + pine branch decorations. Warm white at 2700K, matching your Christmas tree lights. Halloween: top-only valance with purple or orange string lights. Purple plus strobe mode — looks like the sky before lightning strikes. Valentine’s Day: full frame with pink fairy lights, or warm white set to “heartbeat” flicker mode. Thanksgiving: top drape + warm yellow decorative lights, like an extension of the fireplace glow. The look: your window becomes your home’s “seasonal billboard.” Neighbors walking by will notice. Best for: street-facing windows, porch windows, holiday season. Browse warm white fairy lights.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Hanging Fairy Lights

Let me just say it — here are mistakes I’ve made more than once. Don’t use regular transparent tape. Outdoor tape won’t work either. Regular tape on window glass lasts maybe three days. Use Command strips or wire clips for your fairy lights. Don’t let the lights interfere with opening the window. If it’s a casement window, make sure the string lights go around the hinge area. I had a window I couldn’t close all the way because the lights got caught in the hinge — cold air leaked in all winter. Don’t use fairy lights that are too long for a small window. I’ve seen someone wrap 30 feet of lights around a tiny round window — four loops, lights crammed together, looked terrible. Don’t use colored lights for a full frame. Unless your interior design style is “carnival.” Warm white fairy lights never fail. Don’t forget to check how it looks from outside. Half the charm of window decorative lights is for the people passing by. Step outside and take a look once you’re done.

Who Should Skip Window Fairy Lights

• People whose view matters more than the room (if you’ve got an ocean or mountain view, lights might distract from it)
• People who need bright illumination (window fairy lights are for ambiance, not for reading or tasks)
• People who open and close their windows constantly (you’ll need to make sure the lights don’t get in the way)

Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Fairy Lights

So that’s the complete guide on how to hang fairy lights around window frames in six different ways. I went from staring at a blank window every evening to looking forward to dusk. That moment when the string lights come on and the window transforms — it’s still my favorite part of the day. Start with whichever look feels like you. Classic drape if you’re not sure. Full frame if you want the biggest impact. Top-only if you want to test the waters. Buy a USB or battery-operated set tonight and make your window glow. That old window in my apartment? It’s now the thing everyone comments on when they walk in. My neighbor across the courtyard told me once: “Your window makes the whole building look better.” That hit different. If you’re buying fairy lights, remember: USB if you have an outlet nearby, battery if you don’t. At least 16 feet. Warm white if you’re unsure about color. You don’t need a perfect view to have a beautiful window. You just need a little light. Now go make your window tell a story.

For more lighting inspiration, check out This Old House’s guide to hanging string lights.