Lit up christmas tree

It’s coming up to that magical time of year when Christmas lights transform everything around us into a sparkling winter wonderland. From glittering shopfronts and glowing trees lining the streets to the cosy warmth of fairy-lit homes and gardens, the world seems to shimmer with festive cheer!

Christmas lights are more than just an afterthought; they’re the magic touch that brings your festive display to life and transforms your space. Whether you’re going for a classic, timeless look or a contemporary style, the colour of your lights can make all the difference to your Christmas tree and decorations. 

In this guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know about Christmas tree light colours, helping you find the perfect ones to make your home merry and bright!

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What Christmas tree light colours can you get?

From classy neutrals to bold primary colours, there’s no shortage of choice when it comes to Christmas light colours. Here are some of the most popular choices: 

White 

White Christmas lights are perfect for a classic, elegant look. As a neutral colour, white lights complement many decor styles, meaning your investment won’t be lost to changing Christmas tree trends each year.  

You’ll often see white lights separated into two categories: warm white and cool or bright white lights, but what’s the difference?

Warm white 

Warm white lights have a yellowish shine, reminiscent of the glow of a candle or a fireplace. Their comforting atmosphere makes them a popular choice for traditional, natural, and cosy Christmas displays. 

Bright white

Bright white or cool white lights give off a crisp, icy glow, ideal for a more striking, colder look. They’re great for flocked, snowy trees and creating a magical winter wonderland effect indoors.

Red

Red might not be the first colour that springs to mind when choosing your Christmas tree lights. However, lights in this traditional festive colour can give your home a rich, warm glow and beautifully complement monochrome, white, or traditional decorative themes. 

Blue 

If you’re looking for a way to make your Christmas decor stand out, blue lights are for you! Blue Christmas lights work equally well in playful, modern themes and sophisticated, frosty interiors.  

Amber and gold 

Like warm white lights, the candle-like hues of amber and gold Christmas lights are perfect for creating a cosy atmosphere. These lights suit traditional decor as well as rustic and metallic themes.

Multicolour

If you can’t choose just one colour, why not choose them all? Multicoloured Christmas tree lights are a great way to inject some fun into your decor, creating a lively, nostalgic feel. These lights are perfect for playful, maximalist design schemes. 

Colour changing lights

With colour-changing LED lights, the sky’s the limit! Twinkly App-controlled smart Christmas lights allow you to choose from not one, not two, but 16 million colour combinations in all manner of shades, hues, and tints! 

Coloured vs white Christmas tree lights

When choosing between coloured and white Christmas tree lights, consider the atmosphere and style you want to create. 

Coloured lights are perfect for a nostalgic, playful look that resonates with the magic of childhood Christmases. Meanwhile, white lights work best for more elegant or cosy feeling designs, becoming a complementary element instead of the primary focus.

If you can’t decide between coloured and white lights, why not use smart lights? App-controlled Twinkly lights offer warm white, bright white, and coloured settings, meaning you don’t have to choose!

Choosing the right Christmas tree light colour 

With so many Christmas tree light colours to choose from, it’s important to pick the ones that will complement your tree and existing decor. 

Here are some pointers for choosing lights that will be the shining star of your festive display:

1 - Match your lights to your tree

Traditional green Christmas trees: A real or ultra-realistic Christmas tree will suit lights of most colours. For a timeless look, go for warm white or retro multicoloured lights. 

White or snowy Christmas trees: Wondering what colour lights work best on a snowy Christmas tree? Bright white lights amplify the frosty feel and suit pastel or kitsch designs. Or, create contrast using mono or multicoloured lights, which pop against a white background.

Alternative tree colours: Unconventional trees, like black trees, are a bold statement. Gold Christmas lights will give it a glamorous vintage touch, whilst blue lights are perfect for a standout, modern appearance.

For Christmas tree inspiration, check out our guide: Top 10 Christmas Tree Decoration Ideas for 2024. We’ve shortlisted our favourite Christmas tree trends and explained how to achieve each look, including which type of lights to use for each tree.  

2 - Choose lights that suit your home’s atmosphere

When choosing lights for your tree or room, consider the overall atmosphere of your decorative style. If you’ve followed our guide to making your home cosy for Christmas, this warm style of decor best suits warm-toned lights.

For rooms with cooler, frosty tones or snowy themes, opt for blue Christmas lights or cool white lights to stick with the crisp, fresh feeling.

If you’re aiming for an ultra-modern vibe, you’ll want to make a statement with your lights. Bold blue, rich red, or multicoloured Christmas lights will help to create a standout design.

3 - Opt for lights that complement your theme

Christmas lights are the perfect way to put the icing on the (Christmas) cake and complete a themed design. Here are our favourite light colours to complement the top Christmas Trends for 2024:

  • Traditional decor: Warm white or red lights
  • Scandinavian, rustic, boho, and cottagecore designs: Natural tones like warm white, amber, and gold
  • Maximalist styles: Multicoloured lights, monochrome red or blue lights, or colour-changing LEDs.
  • Snowy and frosty themes: Bright white lights or blue tones
  • Nature-inspired and sustainable themes: Warm white, gold, or amber tones
  • Vintage, glamorous, and metallic styles: Gold and amber lights
  • Colour-based designs, like neon, pastel, or monochrome: Coloured lights to match or colour-changing lights for versatility

Not sure where to start? Our inspirational Christmas decoration guides are a great starting point! Check out the following posts for tips on creating themed spaces: 

4 - Create a cohesive lighting design

To make your Christmas lights really shine, think beyond your tree. Matching the lighting across all your festive elements - like wreaths, garlands, window displays, and mantelpieces - can help tie everything together for a professional look. 

Start by choosing a consistent light colour or style for your main pieces, and then make your accents match. For example, if you’re using warm white lights to create a Christmas window display, use that colour of lights for your tree and accessories. Likewise, if you’re decorating a plain wreath and decorating a plain garland, use the same colour lights for both. 

A cohesive lighting scheme creates a sense of harmony, elevating and enhancing your decor. 

Top Christmas tree light colour tips

Don’t get in a tangle (like old Christmas lights) when making your choice! Here are some top tips so you don’t get too wrapped up:

  1. Don’t be afraid to mix colours: If you can’t decide between coloured or white Christmas tree lights, why not use both? A warm white base can give coloured lights a soft undertone. 
  2. Create contrast: Perfectionists may be tempted to make everything match, but colour contrasts can create a stunning aesthetic. A snowy white tree looks great with red lights, and a black tree really pulls off the rainbow look. 
  3. Think about light temperature: Warm and cool lights create different moods. Warm white adds a cosy, inviting feel, while bright white gives a crisp, modern look.
  4. Layer your lights: Want to add depth to your tree? Use one colour of lights deep within the branches and another closer to the outer edges for a professional, 3D look.
  5. Test before you hang: Hold your chosen lights against the tree before they get tangled in the branches, or hold them up to the wall before you commit to hanging them. 

Find Christmas tree lights in every colour at Christmas Tree World

Ready to add some sparkle to your tree? At Christmas Tree World, you’ll find Christmas lights that shine as brightly as the North Star! 

Whether you’re looking for warm white Christmas tree lights to complement a traditional setup or want to create a unique, colourful display with multicoloured lights, we’ve got the perfect fix for you.

Better yet, with Twinkly app-controlled smart lights, you can have it all! These colour-changing LEDs are perfect for creating flashing and dancing displays with over 16 million colour combinations.

And don’t forget the all-important centrepiece! Shop the UK’s largest range of artificial Christmas trees here at Christmas Tree World. From mini trees to giant 20ft trees, ultra-realistic trees to LED fibre optic trees, and snowy Christmas trees to pre-lit Christmas trees, there’s no shortage of choice!

With our one-year guarantee on all electrical products, you can sit back and bask in the glow, knowing that your lights will dazzle all season long, and well into the new year. Plus, don’t miss out on free delivery for all orders over £30. Shop now and light up your Christmas!