Choose the right outdoor lights the first time.

By Trove Collective Co. | Outdoor Living

If you've been shopping for outdoor lighting and found yourself going down a rabbit hole of overlapping terms — festoon lights, fairy lights, string lights, party lights, globe lights — you're not alone. It's genuinely confusing, and getting it wrong means buying something that looks beautiful in the photo and slightly off in your actual space.

So here's the clear, no fuss breakdown. We stock the full range from Festoon House here at Trove Collective Co, so consider this your guide to finding exactly what you need.

First up — are string lights and festoon lights the same thing?

Mostly, yes. "string lights" is a broad, catch-all term for any lights strung along a cable. Festoon lights are a specific type of string light — the kind with larger, spaced-out globe bulbs. So all festoon lights are string lights, but not all string lights are festoon lights.

Fairy lights are also technically a type of string light — just a very different one. More on that below.

Festoon lights — bold, warm and made to anchor a space

Festoon lights are what most people picture when they imagine a beautiful outdoor entertaining area — large globe bulbs spaced evenly along a sturdy cable, strung overhead above a deck, alfresco or courtyard.

The bulbs are the feature. They're big enough to see individually, give off a warm, diffuse glow and have that classic, slightly vintage feel that works in almost any outdoor setting — from a relaxed backyard to a polished cafe terrace.

Best for: Outdoor entertaining areas, alfrescos, decks, beer gardens, above dining tables, spanning between posts or structures.

The Festoon House range includes:

• Standard 240v outdoor festoon lights — plug-and-play, connectable to 100m, six bulb styles to choose from
• Low voltage 24v commercial festoon lights — ideal for permanent installations, pools and wet areas, nine bulb styles
• RGB Smart Festoon Lights — colour changing, app controlled, great for shifting the mood

All IP67 waterproof rated, UV-resistant rubber cable, SAA-approved, and LED throughout. From $103.

Fairy lights — delicate, twinkly and endlessly versatile

Fairy lights are the opposite end of the spectrum. Instead of large statement globes, you get hundreds of tiny LED bulbs on a fine cable — delicate, soft and almost magical in the right setting.

They don't make a bold statement the way festoon lights do, but that's not what they're for. Fairy lights create texture and warmth — a glow that fills a space rather than punctuating it. Wrapped around a tree, draped across a fence, wound through a hedge, or strung in a canopy overhead, they're transformative in a quiet, beautiful way.

Best for: Trees, garden features, fences, hedges, marquee ceilings, wedding settings, adding a secondary layer of warmth alongside festoon lights.

The Festoon House range includes:

• Commercial fairy light kits (black or white cable) — waterproof, low voltage, connectable to 100m, warm white and cool white options
  
• Solar fairy lights — no wiring required, auto on at dusk, brilliant for gardens and balconies
• Outdoor tree fairy light kits — purpose-built for wrapping trees, in four sizes from 40m to 300m

From $69.

So which one do you actually need?

Here's the simple version:

Choose festoon lights if you want to light an outdoor entertaining area, create a focal point overhead, or make a bold, warm statement. They're the anchor — the thing that makes a space feel complete.

Choose fairy lights if you want to wrap a tree, add warmth to a garden feature, layer softness into a space, or create a delicate canopy effect. They're the finishing touch — the thing that makes a space feel magical.

Use both if you want an outdoor space that genuinely looks like it was designed. Festoon lights overhead, fairy lights through the trees and along the fence line — that's the combination that stops people in their tracks.

A quick note on quality

Not all festoon lights and fairy lights are created equal — and in Australia's outdoor conditions, the difference between commercial grade and cheap really shows. Festoon House products are IP67 waterproof rated, built with UV-resistant rubber cables, SAA-approved, and come with a 2-year warranty. They're the kind of lights that are still going strong after a year of full outdoor exposure — rain, sun, wind and all.

As one customer put it: "Worlds apart from the cheap Bunnings stuff they replaced — look built to last and the remote is a great addition."

Shop the full range at Trove Collective Co.

Whether you're starting from scratch or adding a layer to a space you already love, we've got the full Festoon House range in stock — festoon lights, fairy lights and tree kits. 

Shop Festoon House lighting at Trove Collective Co. →

Trove Collective Co. — high-quality outdoor living, for every corner of your space.
Proud stockist of Festoon House.