How to Decorate with Chinese Lanterns

Choose Your Shape and Color

The classic Chinese lantern is typically white and shaped like a ball. But don’t let classics get in the way of your own decorating tastes. These lanterns also come in bright red, orange, pink, yellow and purple, as well as green, turquoise, blue, dark blue, even gold and silver. There are also a variety of shapes available. Consider the shuttle-shaped lantern that is elongated vertically and wider at the center in comparison to the tips. There is also the “tamago,” otherwise known as the egg shape. How about the abacus shaped lantern? Or the ones shaped like the planet Saturn? These shapes have character and can bring an element of liveliness and taste to your room.

Taller Chinese Lanterns

For a larger light source to light up your entire room, consider using one or two of the taller Chinese lanterns. These lanterns can come in sizes of up to several feet tall. For a space like the living room, a 48-inch tall lamp as a single or a pair can work perfectly. With taller lamps you also have a choice between angled shapes and rounder shapes with curves. An important thing to remember with the taller lamps is that they require 17 feet long, double socket cords.

Battery-Operated Chinese Lanterns

Some of the smaller Chinese lanterns do come with battery-operated options. Battery-operated Chinese lanterns are great for outdoor use on warm summer nights. The best thing about battery lanterns is that they are easy to transport, with no cords or wires. Use them to decorate your deck or patio. Hang them from poles, ceilings or lines.

Decorated Chinese Lanterns

Some Chinese lanterns also come with leaves and flower petals printed on them. If your room could use a touch of natural aesthetic coming from your light source, these lanterns are the way to go.

Decorate Your Own Chinese Lantern

A wonderful fact is that these lanterns’ primary material is paper. The paper is made from rice, making it soft and absorbent. You can offer them to your children and have them personalize the lanterns with their illustrations. Watercolor is an ideal decorating choice, but markers work just as well. Use the lanterns your children decorated for their parties or just hang them in their rooms for all to see.

Setting

The light sheet of rice paper that wraps around the lantern’s bamboo frame produces a soft glow. This soft light adds an ambience to any setting you place your Chinese lantern.

After choosing your color and shape, determine what kind of mood you want to create in your setting. Since these lanterns are befitting of quiet areas, they might work in the bedroom if you want a delicate touch of light in the corner.

Chinese lanterns are also terrific options for lighting up garden parties. Use battery-powered lanterns and hang them around your garden area. Invite your friends and neighbors to enjoy a well-lit and lovely evening outside your home.

These lanterns are also favored as wedding d�cor, especially in the summer for outdoor weddings. Hang them off the marquee to give you, your spouse, family and guests a delightful wedding experience with these wonderfully charming lanterns that bring a sense of peace and calm.

Decorating

When decorating with Chinese lanterns, consider the following: What color schemes are you working with? The classic, white paper color generally goes well with any color scheme, but if you can work in other colors, don’t be afraid to choose lanterns of color. For garden parties, especially, small green lanterns could charm you and your guests with their verdant glow all through the evening.