How Many Festoon Lights Do I Need?

A 3-Step Guide to Choosing the Perfect Length, Spacing & Globes for Your Festoon Lights

Ten minutes from now you’ll know the exact cable length, bulb spacing and globes you need - whether you’re lighting a tiny balcony or a 40-metre beer-garden. No jargon, no guess-work, just clear calculations and real-world examples.

Why Plan Your Festoon Lights Layout?

• Saves Money - Buy once. Order exactly what you need, not 10 extra metres that live in the garage.
• Looks Professional - Correct spacing and tension give that Insta-worthy café look.
• Speeds Up Installation - Pre-planning means fewer ladder trips and no late-night Bunnings runs.

Step 1 - Determine Your Cable Length

• Sketch Your Area - Think like a wedding planner: bird’s-eye view, mark anchor points (trees, posts, fences).
• Choose a Pattern:
  • Straight Run - Classic over a fence or path
  • Zig-Zag - Popular over patios & pergolas
  • Canopy/Fan - Show-stopper for special occasions or events 
• Measure the Actual Run - Use string or a laser measure along the line, not the ground.
• Add Slack - 5 to 10% extra slack allows the festoon cable to drape gracefully.

After completing the steps above you should have a fairly good idea of the cable length you'll need.

Tip: Keep in mind that all Lumee festoon light kits include a 3m extension cord and the power cord is 1m long.

Step 2 - Choose Your Globe Spacing 

Look & Mood	Spacing	Globes per 10m	Recommended Globes	Lighting Effect
Everyday Backyard Ambience	100 cm	10	4W A60 or 4W ST64	Bright, welcoming ambience for patios, pergolas & decks
Double-Glow Feature Lighting	50 cm	20	• 4W globes for extra bright events • 1W G45 or 2W S14 for a soft glow	Dense, café-style canopy

Further Guidance

• 100cm spacing → Perfect for most backyards and smaller areas. Ten 4W globes per 10m give plenty of light without over-crowding.
• 50cm spacing → Want a statement look? Doubling the sockets doubles the glow. Pair with bright 4W LEDs for extra brilliance, or with low-watt globes for a warm, intimate glow.

Rule of Thumb

• Standard patio? 100cm is the sweet spot and our most popular option.
• Chasing maximum wow-factor or a photoshoot-ready sensation? Go 50 cm.

Step 3 - Choose Your Globes 💡

Globe	Brightness	Best-For	Quick Take
1W G45 LED	100 lm	Intimate dinners, fairy-like sparkle, accent strings	Soft, atmospheric glow - subtle touch of light.
2W S14 LED	200 lm	General patio use, cafés, garden paths	Similar to a bedside lamp; brightens without glare.
4W A60 LED	400 lm	Outdoor dining lighting, large decks, pergolas	Strong output yet warm and ambient
4W ST64 LED	400 lm	Feature runs with vintage vibe for spacious gardens or events	Same punch as A60 but in a classic Edison pear shape globe

How to Pair Spacing & Globes

• 50cm spacing → double the globes, double the glow.

Use 1W or 2W globes for cosy ambience, or 4W for outdoor event style brightness.

• 100cm spacing → the all-rounder.

Match with 4W globes for well-lit outdoor dining or 2W for a soft ambience.

Want more flexibility?

Consider adding a remote controlled dimmer kit which lets you control the brightness depending on the mood! (Only compatible with 4W globes).

Tip: Mix & match - string 1W G45 globes along tree branches for a soft glow, then run 4W A60 globes over the dining table for practical light.

Next Steps

• Take our 60-second Festoon Finder Quiz – we’ll recommend your cable length, globes and bulb spacing.
• Browse our Festoon Lights Collection - free shipping Australia-wide.
• Still unsure? Chat with a festoon lights expert - simply click 'Chat' below