Christmas light colors: which white or color suits your house

White lights aren't all the same white. Light color is measured in kelvin (K), and ENERGY STAR's bulb guide puts it simply: lower numbers look yellowish, higher numbers look whiter or bluer.[1] On the C9 bulb spec pages we checked, warm white is listed at 3000K, pure white at 4000K, and cool white at 6500K or 7700K, depending on the bulb line.[2][3][4][5][6]

Which white for your house

Warm white is the one we'd suggest for most houses. It flatters wood, brick and warm paint, and it looks like the incandescent strands people remember. Pure white suits cool exteriors: white, gray or blue-gray siding, gray stone and modern houses, where warm white can look a little yellow.

We don't stock cool white for seasonal installs. At 6500K and up it reads bluish and icy, and next to warm-white houses on the same street it can look like a different season.

Red and white is the candy-cane look: festive but crisp. The white bulbs carry the outline, so it stays visible on red brick, where solid red gets lost.

Red and green is the traditional pair. It looks best on white, cream or light siding, where both colors stand out. On dark siding, red and white keeps more contrast. Each is one option on our list, used across your whole layout; the exterior table above helps you choose.

Single colors

Solid red, green or blue

One saturated color makes the boldest outline on the street. Red reads as Christmas on its own and stands out on white, gray and dark siding, though it blends into red brick. Green needs a light house behind it; next to firs or dark trim it can disappear. Blue is more winter than Christmas, and it suits modern, white and gray houses.

Because the seasonal service is one option per house, a solid color is the whole look. If you want warm white on the house and a red garage, ask at the measure.

• Red
• Green
• Blue

Neighbors and rules

Matching the street and your HOA

If your street coordinates, agree on a palette with the neighbors first, then mention your street and colors when you book the measure. Each house still gets its own layout and quote.

HOA rules can reach the lights, too. Some associations set a date for holiday decorations to come down, and some name colored lights: one Beaverton-area condominium association's posted rules require holiday decorations, colored lights included, to come down within 14 days after the holiday.[10] Read your CC&Rs and rules before you choose a color. If they set a removal date, tell us at the measure so the January takedown date on your quote fits it.

Thinking about permanent lights instead? Our HOA approval guide covers what architectural committees ask and includes a request letter.

LED vs incandescent

LED colors vs the old incandescent glow

If you're replacing old incandescent C9s and want the same look, pick warm white. ENERGY STAR's bulb guide calls 2700K to 3000K warm or soft white, the standard color of incandescent bulbs, and the warm-white C9 LEDs we checked are listed at 3000K.[1][2][3] Christmas Lights, Etc. describes warm white as recreating the look of traditional incandescent Christmas lights.[7]

The white to be careful with is cool white. At 6500K to 7700K it's much bluer than an incandescent bulb, which is why a cool-white house can look icy next to warm-white neighbors.[5][6]

The bulbs we hang are commercial-grade faceted C9 LEDs. For the energy and cost side, see LED vs Incandescent Christmas Lights: Cost to Run and Look.