Find the best Shark vacuum for your home with our top 8 picks. We’ve reviewed upright and cordless Shark vacuum cleaners, many of which feature in our best vacuum cleaner roundup, to bring you our complete verdict. While some Shark vacuum cleaners are budget-friendly, others are premium picks that can rival the top Dyson and Vax models on the market. Of course, you’ll be able to find a Shark cordless vacuum deal with the Black Friday sales just around the corner, but these vacuums are regularly available at a discount.

See also: the best cordless vacuum cleaners

A lot of Shark vacuum cleaners are tricky to choose between, with subtle differences in the amount of tools available and the range of prices for each model. In our Shark vacuum reviews we noted that the models with pet attachments and added spare batteries do cost extra, but the machine itself will always be the same as the pet-free option. Keep an eye out for flexology, which means you can hinge the stick vacuum to fit underneath furniture, and powered lift-away, which allows you to take the canister off of the stick vacuum to clean the stairs or the car without any cumbersome handles or controls.

What is the best Shark vacuum in 2021?

The Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner gets our vote for the best Shark vacuum you can buy for the year ahead. It’s jam-packed with all the tech spec you could possibly need to keep your home looking spick-and-span with relatively little effort. Got pets? It’s a good choice for taming pet hair, too, without running the risk of the floorhead bristles getting in a tangle.

Best Shark vacuum 2021

1. Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner

Best Shark vacuum cleaner

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.7 litres
Weight: 4.58 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Deep and effective cleaning
• Nifty storage
• Immense power
• Smart charging
Reasons to avoid:

• No pet attachment (although it still did a great job on hair)

The Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology is one of Shark’s latest releases, and boy did it wow us when we took it for a spin. Firstly, it feels incredibly sturdy and well-made, with a separate charger for up to two batteries at a time, meaning you can double your runtime for larger homes.

Switching between carpet and had floors is very easy thanks to the DuoClean brushrolls, which switch over with the touch of a button. It’s also possible to go between three power levels, although we found the lowest level perfectly strong enough for the majority of tasks.

At under 5kg it’s a sturdy but not too hefty model, and if you struggle with storage, you’ll enjoy the fact that the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology hinges forwards to fold when stored. It does have a smart touchpad at the top of the vacuum that shows battery level very clearly, too.

The newer feature that Shark added to the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins & Flexology is its PowerFins tech. These are essentially flexible silicone paddles that dig deep into carpets and effectively pick up dirt from right down at the base of rugs and carpets. This was immensely successful at picking up pet hair and dust that we didn’t even know was there. Opt for the Shark IZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner for a double-battery model, or the regular Shark IZ300UK  if you’re happy with just the one battery.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

See our Shark IZ300UK Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Stick Vacuum Cleaner review

2. Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner

Best Shark vacuum cleaner for serious power

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.6 litres
Weight: 6.2 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Very strong on pet hair
• Has the power of a corded vacuum
• Long battery life
• Lift away to clean stairs or cars

Reasons to avoid:

• It’s hefty

Another recent drop from Shark, the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins, Powered Lift-Away & TruePet has everything you need to stay on top of the busiest of homes, in a cordless model. Shark claims that it has all the power of a corded vacuum cleaner but in cordless form, and we couldn’t agree more. It’s got DuoClean which makes switching modes immensely straightforward, and the controls make it easy to see how much battery you have left. To charge, simply lift out the battery on the side of the dust tank and pop it into its charging port.

The vacuum has lights that illuminate its path, and it left a visible path of clean carpet when we took it through the floor around the bed of a fluffy black labrador. Very impressive, so prepare to remember what colour your carpet was when you moved in!

At over 6kg the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner with PowerFins, Powered Lift-Away & TruePet is quite heavy, but it does have the Powered Lift-Away to make it easier to tackle stairs and upholstery. Another minor gripe was the small dust tank, which fills up very quickly indeed when you’re dealing with pet hair. The battery life does extend to around one hour though, so this Shark cordless can tackle your entire home in one go.

Ideal Home’s rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Read our full Shark ICZ300UKT Anti Hair Wrap Cordless Upright Vacuum Cleaner review

3. Shark Anti Hair Wrap & DuoClean Cordless Vacuum Cleaner IZ251UKTDB

Best Shark vacuum cleaner for attachment options

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.7 litres
Weight: 4.1 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Mega long run-time
• Good set of attachments
• A good choice for homes with pets

Reasons to avoid:

• A little noisy
• Can be tricky to manoeuvre directly under furniture

Whether you have a home with pets or feel more confident with a cordless vacuum that holds a long runtime then this vac would be a good shout for your needs. Shark seem to have ploughed all their top tech into this model which makes it a solid contender for the main vacuum cleaner in the house, not just the back up.

It delivered pretty consistent results on the flooring, leaving carpet – including on the stairs – tiles, and parquet clean. The DuoClean floorhead had a big part to play in this as it can easily transition across the various floor types, on which its twin bristle brushes work their magic. Anti Hair Wrap – a feature designed to stop hair accumulating around the brush roll – had some impressive results, too. This meant that neither human hair nor the hair of small furry housemates lodged itself around the brushes of the floorhead or the motorised pet tool.

The relatively new innovation to Shark’s portfolio is Flexology which allows the wand to go from straight to angled, is a feature which we highly rate. It means that you can get your vac under the beds and various items of furniture that are raised up on legs. What we found, however, is that the floorhead wasn’t as easy to direct accurately as is the case when it’s used with the rigid wand.

Even if you prefer to use a smaller, handheld vacuum cleaner, the IZ251UKTDB has got you covered. We found that when equipped with the motorised pet tool it did an extremely thorough job and was easy to use on steps, even those awkwardly shaped.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4. Shark IZ201UK Cordless Vacuum Cleaner

Best Shark vacuum for pet hair

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.7 litres
Weight: 4.1 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Lightweight
• Ideal for pet hair
• Very easy to manoever

Reasons to avoid:

• Quite noisy

The Shark IZ201UK Cordless Vacuum Cleaner is one of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair on the market. It has a 0.7 litre dustbin which, while not the largest, is adequate for cleaning most homes without the need to empty mid-way. We also enjoy how lightweight it is, at just over 4 kg.

This vacuum is good on both carpet and hard floors, but we found that the latter just slightly held the edge. It offers flexology, which simply means that you can pivot the vacuum under furniture thanks to the elbow-style latch. The anti-hair wrap is a bristle guard and comb which separates and removes hair from the brush roll as you go. This does an exceptional job not just on pet hair, but on human hair too.

Attachments include a crevice tool, dusting brush, and upholstery tool which is perfect for stairs and sofas. The vacuum can convert into a handheld too, so you can use these attachments in a range of modes. Of course, opting for a more expensive Shark vacuum will deliver more attachments and extras such as DuoClean, Shark’s self-adjusting brushroll, but this is a great pick for budget-friendly, high-powered cleaning.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

5. Shark Handheld Cordless Pet Vacuum Cleaner CH950UKT

Best handheld Shark vacuum cleaner

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.45 litres
Weight: 1.39 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Great suction
• Versatile
• Lightweight
• Good on pet hair

Reasons to avoid:

• Battery life may not be long enough for everyone

If you’ve got pets around the home then this handheld vacuum cleaner is a must to have handy for those quick tidy ups. It’s cordless which always helps with moving around the home (and car) quickly since you’re not tethered to a plug. And the (more than) 10 minutes battery life is suffice enough for sweeping up dust, and crumbs and taming those stray hairs which seem to get anywhere and everywhere. Oh and did we mention, it’s our top pick of the best handheld vacuum cleaners, too.

Something which our reviewer was impressed by during testing was that the diminishing battery did not affect the suction of this vac. The only way you knew that it was about to run its course was the flashing blue power button, which did go a-miss in a few instances when vacuuming-away. Although it would always be helpful to have more charge, this one does only take four hours to fully charge or less if you just want to quickly finish what you started.

Maintaining this handheld vacuum will just mean that the 0.45L capacity will need emptying as and when it gets full of fluff. And the dust cup and filter can be washed with water from the tap.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

6. Shark DuoClean Upright Vacuum Cleaner with Lift-Away and TruePet NV702UKT

Best Shark upright vacuum with a cord

Cordless? No
Dust tank capacity: 0.3 litres
Weight: 5.25 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Pet-friendly
• Can be used on all floor types
• Available in a lovely colour

Reasons to avoid:

• Some may prefer cordless

For those of us who find comfort in being plugged into the mains as we vacuum our homes, this Shark vacuum could well be the best option for you. It’s a good combination of where a stick vacuum meets a 8 metre-length cord which ultimately means no charging, whilst still being lightweight.

It’s designed to deal with daily cleaning challenges and is one which will effortlessly navigate around furniture with enhanced swivel steering. This means that furniture and other obstacles will be no mean feat for this one to work around. And the DuoClean floorhead – as with the others in this guide – will mean that the two motorised brush-rolls work together in one floorhead to clean all floor types. But then if you need a more portable vacuum cleaner then you can transform this vac with just the push of a button. This is with thanks to Powered Lift-Away which is super handy for using the suite of attachments to refresh upholstery or vacuum skirting boards.

One of the attachments which comes with this Shark vacuum is the pet tool. As with many of the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair, it’s purposely designed to draw out embedded hair from rugs, blankets and anywhere else your four-legged-friend likes to reside. Allergens, such as pet dander, can also be tamed with the Anti-Allergen Complete Seal which captures and traps 99.9% of dust and allergens inside the vacuum rather than releasing them back into the air.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

7. Shark Anti Hair Wrap XL with Powered Lift-Away AZ950UK upright vacuum cleaner

Best Shark vacuum with large floorhead

Cordless? No
Dust tank capacity: 1.65 litres
Weight: 7.5 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Large capacity
• Easy to empty
• Onboard tools
• DuoClean makes it easy to switch

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy

Last but by no means least on our list is this Shark vacuum which boasts one of the largest dust capacities with Powered Lift-Away. It’ll give you the freedom to clean more without you feeling the need to continuously empty it thanks to its mega 1.65 litres which is available to be filled. Although it is a corded vac, the 8 metre-long cable will give you an adequate radius to work your way around the various floors in the home.

To help lift as much as possible as quickly as possible from the flooring is the DuoClean floorhead which has been enhanced with Anti Hair-Wrap technology. This will actively remove hair from both the bristles in the floor head so you don’t need to worry about de-tangling any locks at the end of each clean. This is ideal for long hair, short hair and pet hair.

There’s a suite of onboard tools which can be used when the vac is transformed into a portable vacuum cleaner. And as an extra level of added reassurance for allergy sufferers, there’s Shark’s Anti-Allergen Complete Seal which will help to keep the air you breathe clean after a vacuum.

Ideal Home rated 4 out of 5 stars

8. Shark DuoClean Powered Lift-Away and TruePet cordless vacuum cleaner IC160UKT

Best Shark vacuum with Powered Lift-Away

Cordless? Yes
Dust tank capacity: 0.6 litres
Weight: 5.7 kg
Reasons to buy:

• Great suction
• Floor illumination
• Battery can be charged out of vac

Reasons to avoid:

• Doesn’t cope too well with long pet hair

If you have moulting moggies in the home then we can vouch that this Shark vacuum will do your carpets and hard flooring justice. Just as with the vacuum cleaner above, it has a DuoClean floorhead which can alternate between floor types with just a push of the carpet or floor button located above the on button. Our reviewer found that it had some rather pleasing results, especially on restoring flattened carpet pile.

The Powered Lift-Away feature that comes in with this vac means that the pod comes away from the stick so there’s only the small pod to hold or set down, and the wand – also detachable – to do the job with. There’s a button to also make this happen which is another positive because that’s one of the many good things about Shark – they make using your new (and old) vacuum cleaner super easy. This is echoed by the ability to remove the battery for charging which helps with storage because you can put the main unit away whilst just keeping the battery out. Ingenious.

Arriving equipped with a suite of attachments to include a crevice tool, dusting brush, wide upholstery tool and a motorised pet tool (that’s the TruePet) you’ll be able to tackle all areas of the home by attaching these to either the vac’s wand or handle. For pet owners you’ll be interested to know that the pet tool will deal with hair that’s got itself knitted into upholstery (including in the car, dog owners!) and stair carpet. This performed really well on the upholstery but longer cat or dog hair does get tangled somewhat in the brushes.

Ideal Home’s rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

How to choose the best Shark vacuum

There are a few terms you’ll need to grasp before you choose your Shark vacuum.

• LiftAway offers a removable central canister that can be lifted around to clean stairs and upholstery. This makes is easier to access tough spots, even cars.
• Flexology means your vacuum can be pivoted under furniture using an elbow hinge at the centre of the tube. It saves you from bending and reaching, but it’s only available on cordless vacuums.
• Anti Hair Wrap offers a self-cleaning brush roll thanks to an in-built comb. This removes pet and human hair before it gets the chance to get tangled.
• DuoClean is Shark’s self-adjusting brush roll that automatically adapts to carpet and hard floor without you having to switch over.
• PowerFins are Shark’s newest invention. These silicone attachments sit on the carpet brushrool of your Shark vacuum to reach even deeper into your rug and stair runners, picking up more dirt in a single pass.

How we test Shark vacuums

We really like to get a hands-on experience with the products which we feature across the Future Homes titles. It means that we get to understand more about what you are getting for your money.

Each time we hear of a new vacuum cleaner that’s been added to the brand’s portfolio, or we see one with outstanding user reviews, we just have to try it out. You can read what we really thought about each model in the descriptions in this guide where you’ll also see our marks out of five. Each one with descriptions like these have been tested for a number of weeks (sometime months) so they’ve been faced with some real-life challenges. In some instances we’re even fortunate enough to be able to keep the vacuum cleaners so the test is always ongoing, if you like.

Everything has been considered during our in-depth reviews. Factors such as manoeuvrability, run-time, emptying of the canister (or bag) and general controls. In any instance where we have been unable to review but couldn’t miss not featuring the vacuum cleaner in this guide, we’ve taken into account feedback from other users who have left reviews on the website where they’ve bought it from.

The post Best Shark vacuum 2021: the 8 top cordless and upright options appeared first on Ideal Home.

Black Friday stand mixer deals are just around the corner, and with The Great British Bake Off back on our screens, the time has never been better to invest in one of the best stand mixers. Perfect for beating up fluffy cake batter, creamy icing, and even whisking up egg whites into easy stiff peaks (ideal for making that Christmas yule log), stand mixers are the kitchen essential that even casual bakers couldn’t live without. They can be expensive, though, with Black Friday KitchenAid stand mixer deals in demand to knock the price of these coveted kitchen machines down.

Related: Black Friday deals 2021

Now the weather has cooled and the evenings are dark, what better way to pass the time than by whipping up mouth-watering treats for the whole family? A stand mixer is an essential piece of kit for any budding baker, as not only do they speed up whisking, whipping and kneading, but they also look pretty slick on your kitchen counter top! There are plenty of deals to be had this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so check out our favourites here…

Today’s best Black Friday stand mixer deals

Kenwood kMix KMX760.GD kitchen machine rose gold, was £499, NOW £329, Currys
Save an impressive £170 on this super-stylish rose gold Kenwood stand mixer.Check out the six speed  levels, including a unique fold function for ultra-light cakes and soufflés.

View Deal

Kenwood kMix KMX750 stand mixer in red, was £369, NOW £269, John Lewis & Partners
This powerful Kenwood stand mixer in cool red now has £100 off. It’s sure to complement any kitchen scheme!

View Deal

What do I look for in a good stand mixer?

Make sure your food processor comes with a slicing blade, dicing blade and grating disc. Many will also have a whisk, dough hooks and emulsifying paddles for mayonnaise, and blender jugs to make soups and smoothies. Stand mixers typically come with a bowl, whisk, dough hook and beater.

Spending more doesn’t necessarily get you extra attachments, but your machine should last. Signs of quality include a stainless-mixer bowl or glass blender jug as opposed to plastic ones, metal casing, a powerful but quiet induction motor and a long guarantee.

Black Friday Kenwood stand mixer deals

The Kenwood name is synonymous with quality stand mixers. We’ve reviewed many of Kenwood’s most popular stand mixers, so you can peruse our Kenwood kMix review, our Kenwood Prospero review, or our Kenwood Titanium Chef Baker review for specific thoughts about the different options on the market. Grab yourself a bargain with these tempting Black Friday stand mixer deals.

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Black Friday KitchenAid stand mixer deals

Image credit: KitchenAid

The Great British Bake Off contestants, Lorraine Pascale, Nigella Lawson… everyone loves the Artisan. It’s hardly changed from its launch in 1919 and is still built like a classic car, from the sturdy levers that slide into place with a satisfying clunk, to the stunning paint job. A must-have piece of kit in any baker’s kitchen, it is admittedly rare to find the KitchenAid on sale. If it’s on promotion, our handy widgets will pull through the best prices.

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Black Friday Bosch stand mixer deals

When you think of Bosch, you might think of washing machines and power tools, but did you know the quality brand makes some pretty nifty stand mixers? Take a look at our Bosch MUM59340GB Stand Mixer review for more info on why it’s so great. Our widget is pulling through the best deals you can buy right now.

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Black Friday Russell Hobbs stand mixer deals

Image credit: Russell Hobbs

With a fun polka-dot design, the Russell Hobbs stand mixer is one of our new favourites. We tried it in our Russell Hobbs Emma Bridgewater stand mixer review, and found that it’s a great value stand mixer.

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Black Friday SMEG stand mixer deals

We’ve reviewed the Smeg stand mixer ourselves and it really wowed us with its retro design and fun colour range. It’s not the cheapest stand mixer on the market, so you can save a lot of money if you do find a Smeg Black Friday stand mixer deal.

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What’s the difference between a stand mixer and a food processor?

Stand mixers are made for keen cooks, and not surprisingly, prioritise mixing. They’ll outperform most processors in this depratment, hands down, mainly because they have a wider range of speeds – use the lower ones for kneading bread and folding cake mixtures, and speed up when whipping meringues.

Food processors can mix things, too, but they also feature circular blades, graters and choppers for slicing, dicing and grinding, and some have juicer and blender jug attachments that make use of their powerful motors.

Hybrid stand mixers like Kenwood’s Chef machines, are a favourite of top chefs. They have multiple power outlets that can be used with optional attachments such as food processors, blenders and even ice cream makers, but they’ll tend to cost more.

Does the KitchenAid ever go on sale?

Luckily for all of us, they certainly do. On Amazon Prime Day, you could pick up a KitchenAid Stand Mixer, Aqua Sky for £349.99. Usually a budget-busting £579, it was hard to ignore that whopping 40% saving. And we anticipate we’ll see more brilliant discounts in the coming weeks.

Why are KitchenAid stand mixers so expensive?

KitchenAid’s first household egg beater has a history, believe it or not, dating back to 1919. It’s moved on considerably since then, but the retro look, tempting colours and sturdy design of the KitchenAid Artisan Stand Mixer, make it an ever-popular choice.

But why are they so expensive? Well, KitchenAids have never been cheap. Even when the first mixers were launched in America in the 1920s, they would have set you back around $200. Which, with inflation, equates to around £2,000 in 2020. So the fact that you can pick up the most basic model, the Classic tilt-head mixer, for around £250, means you’ve made quite the saving.

KitchenAids are built like a classic car. There are little-to-no plastic parts – save for attachments like the included shield to keep flour from flying up in your face. Instead they are made from sturdy die-cast zinc and in a wide range of enamelled colours. The planetary motor runs at 10 different speeds. The mixing bowl is stainless steel as standard, but some models come with glass bowls. All of which contributes to the price.

You are also paying for convenience and adaptability. A wire whisk, dough hook and a flat beater are included, but you can upgrade even old machines with optional extras, such as a sausage maker, ice cream maker and a coffee grinder.

Related: Best Black Friday air fryer deals

Keep this page bookmarked for more amazing Black Friday stand mixer deals between now and the end of the month.

The post Black Friday stand mixer deals 2021: what to expect appeared first on Ideal Home.

Christmas lights are key for adding a touch of extra sparkle to festive proceedings. From twinkling LED lights on the tree to larger teardrop bulbs illuminating the porch, the right lighting plays such an integral role in setting the scene for Christmas cheer.

If you’re looking for creative ways to decorate with lights we have some show stopping Christmas ideas to light up your home with festive delight. Be inspired by our simple but effective decorative ideas for festive lights and look forward to a magical season all lit up in chic style.

Decorating with Christmas lights

With so many designs to choose from, firstly consider how you wish to use lighting to enhance your home over the festive period? If you’re looking to create an ambient glow choose the warmer copper coloured LED lights that seem to more popular than ever in lighting collections – in stark contrast to the cooler tones of white bulbs from previous years. Fairy lights are so versatile, perfect to dress the tree or drape across a mantelpiece.

For creating a statement try industrial inspired light-up letters that spell out seasonal greetings and illuminated signs. If you’re simply looking to outshine the neighbours opt for a statuesque illuminated reindeer or a set of beaming cluster lights. Indoor or out, be inspired by our pick of creative Christmas light ideas to brighten up your home.

1. Brighten up hallways for a warm welcome

Image credit: Future/ Chris Snook

A simple string of fair lights draped across a hall coat rack is an effective way to dress the hallway with a touch of sparkle. It’s amazing how impactful simple fairy lights can be, inviting a warm glow with very little effort. Choose a clear or white string to allow the lights to blend in, the last thing you want is to ruin the look with a standout green wire dangling from rack.

Follow in the footsteps of this homeowner and intertwine the lights with sprigs of ivy to add an extra flourish of styling.

2. Hang an illuminated wreath

Image credit: Annabel James

Invite a halo-style glow to adorn any wall in your home with an LED illuminated wreath design. This mains powered wreath is composed of 270 warm white LED lights to give your indoor rooms a warming glow. Ideal above the mantelpiece or above a drinks trolley to set the scene for entertaining in style.

Buy now: Starburst LED Christmas Wreath, £49.95, Annabel James

3. Coordinate tree to fireplace

Image credit: Future

Create a symmetry with your lighting. Use the same colour and tone of lights throughout a living room decorating scheme to ensure it feels cohesive and soft, rather than jarring and distracting. Keep it simple, like this example, and still set the scene in style with a soft glow with matching lights.

4. Dress the windows

Image credit: Lights4Fun/ Oliver Perrott

Perfectly dressed windows are are treat for all, those inside and those who walk by. Frame the window pane with a set specially designed to fit the window, cascading down the window to fill the view with light and festive motifs.

This fine example features 258 warm white LEDs, including 9 metal stars hung at differing heights across the row of lights. Set on a 6 hour timer means you can set the switch to ensure the stars sparkle each evening.

Buy now: Osby Star Christmas Window light, £32.99, Light4fun

5. Spell it out above the mantel

Image credit: Future

Letters and festive sentiments are very on-trend for spreading Christmas cheer with punch of personality. In this characterful living room the light up Noel dresses the mantelpiece to perfection, alongside a string of colourful pompoms and real eucalyptus sprigs.

6. Set the table with lights

Image credit: Future/ Max Attenborough

Welcome an ambient glow to dinner for a more intimate approach to setting the table. Seek LED lights to place on the table, whether used to drape down the middle as a runner of lights or used to frame each individual plate fairy lights on the table will welcome a warm glow to proceedings.

7. Dress the stairs with faux candlelight

Image credit: Lights4Fun/ Oliver Perrott

Make a fabulous festive first impression by dressing the stairs and hallway with bountiful garland dressed with twinkling lights and a display of candles. Of course we’re not advocating you place real candles on the stairs, not safe at all! Look for thoroughly realistic looking faux flames that can be left safely to light up the hallway with ease.

Trail an assortment of lights, by way of LED pillar candles, from the top to the bottom of the stairs. Not only will this add visual impact for quests on arrival, it will also offer a soft glow to make navigating the stairs a little easier, after dark – and even after a few too many glasses of fizz.

8. Get creative with walls

Image credit: Lights4Fun/ Oliver Perrott

Get creative to curate a display for your walls with a light up star, simple string of fairy lights and Christmas cards or festive music sheets or illustrations – the artistic licence is yours. Choose lights on a thin wire, so they are almost weightless and stick them to the pieces of paper or card used to create your DIY tree shape. Of course you could make any festive motif, but a tree is the easiest to recreate.

Use a white tack or something similar to stick the walls, ensuring the paint underneath is not ruined by the material used to stick everything in place. You’ll need to arrange the display above a sideboard or mantel, to ensure there’s a ledge below so you can pop the battery pack of the lights on top.

9. Add ambience to guest bedrooms

Image credit: Future/ Dan Duchars

Ensure your guest bedrooms are well-dressed for Christmas guests. In addition to Christmas bedding and stockings at the foot of the bed, a Simple row of battery powered LED lights woven around the headboard goes a long way to make the room look instantly more festive and inviting.

10. Suspend lights overhead

Image credit: Future/ Dominic Blackmore

A hugely popular trend for tablescaping right now is to hang a decorative arrangement over the table, as if floating above. Of course this needs to be securely in place, because the last thing you want is for it to gatecrash on top while serving dinner! Simple hooks on twine from the ceiling above should support a lightweight foliage arrangement.

Add the wow factor to the hanging arrangement by suspending LED candles at staggered heights along the length of the table.

11. Light up your mantel

Image credit: Future/ Simon Scarboro

Make a statement with large letters that spell out a festive message, which will look right at home placed on a mantelpiece or used as a table centre for the big day’s feast. Decorate your seasonal sign with fairy lights and fresh foliage for added drama.

12. Create a striking winter scene

Image credit: Future/ Simon Bevan

Create the perfect winter wonderland in your home with pretty tea light holders shaped like houses. Placed on a side table they create a charming miniature town, lit by tea lights. A few well-placed miniature Christmas trees add to the snowy scene. Alternatively, wrap a simple string of white fairy lights to complete the look.

13. Add elegant candelabras

Image credit: Future/ Joanna Henderson

Dress the dinner table with elegant candle sticks, to support coloured tapered candles. Use the colour to add an accent shade to a more paired back decorating scheme.

Take a palette of icy whites, forest greens and woodland browns, add cosy Nordic accents and a sprinkling of Narnia for a bewitching festive scene to greet your guests come Christmas Day.

14. Warm with candlelight on a mantel

Image credit: Future/ Tim Young

Welcome guests into your home with a golden Christmas light display. An exotic stained black console table is filled with warmth and opulence using scented orange and cinnamon candles set alight in burnished and bronzed lanterns.

Complete the look with decorative luxe mini trees and pine cone garlands dotted with dainty, shimmering stars. Always be sure to use candles in a safe environment – never leave them unattended.

15. Take it outside

Image credit: Future Ben Anders

Show guests the way to your Christmas party with decorative outdoor Christmas lights. Here, three faux rattan stars make an eye-catching contrast against the leafy hedge, while a rope of mains-powered outdoor fairy lights entices people through the arch.

Use fairy lights as uplighters rather than all-over decorations to subtly draw attention to key features in your garden.

16. Brighten up a corner

Image credit: Future/ Tim Young

Even in a simple scheme, lights can be added to bring some festive cheer to the room. Throw light into a dark corner by adding a simple lighting feature with fairy lights and a plain, twig tree. Line a windowsill with a selection of pretty tea lights to add extra shimmer and shine.

17. Light the whole room

Image credit: Future/ Paul Raeside

Atmospheric lighting makes all the difference to the ambience of a room. Here, fairy lights have been strung over a twig tree in a large planter to eye-catching effect and entwined with faux garlands to decorate a sideboard. Both are complemented by the flickering candlelight in the foreground and a candle wreath hung low over the dining table.

18. Create your own fairy light covers

Image credit: Future/ David Giles

Give your fairy lights a festive makeover by creating simple DIY covers, made from basic paper cups. Whether you decide to drape them across a mantelpiece or hang them on your bed frame, these little lampshades will add a sense of fun to your space in next to no time.

Simply paper over a plastic cup with your favourite wallpaper, then apply a small amount of glue to the back of each cup and carefully stick through each cup. Place each cup upside down on a flat surface and draw a small cross in the middle of the base. Carefully cut through this cross using a craft knife and gently push the light into each hole. Use LED lights to ensure they don’t overheat.

What makes a good Christmas light display?

Ensure guests receive a warm welcome to your home this Christmas by choosing a mix of lighting. From the traditional fairy lights, to LED options in both static and eye-catching flickering settings, and icicles that can hang from mantelpieces and windows, the ways in which you light your home this Christmas can really bring the festive season to life.

Don’t forget outdoor spaces either, as there are plenty of choices available, from fun reindeer or Santa designs that kids will love, to more subtle wreaths and lanterns.

What is the most popular Christmas light colour?

You’re either a colour light fan or you’re not. But there’s a colour to suit all Christmas tastes.

The post Decorating with Christmas lights – ideas and arrangements to add festive sparkle appeared first on Ideal Home.