How to Decorate Outside with No Outlets (6 Ways to Brighten For The Holidays!)

Are you trying to decorate for the holidays or create the perfect cozy outdoor space? You probably have decorations in mind that need electricity. You’ve gathered all your lights and tools only to realize- you have no outlets. Now you’re probably wondering how to decorate outside with no outlets. 

Well, turn on that light bulb because we have some ideas for you! There are many ways to use powered decorations, such as lights, outdoors without outside outlets. In the rest of this article, we’ll give you the top tips and tricks for decorating outside with no outlets. 

How to Decorate Outside with no Outlets

You might need an outdoor outlet for many reasons, such as Christmas lights, porch lights, or other electric decorations. Electrical decor, like lights, really makes or breaks an outdoor space.

To make your outdoor space yours, you do not want to compromise or give up when you find out there are no outlets outside your home. 

You do not need to despair after pacing around the outside of your home without finding any outdoor outlets anywhere. While this may feel like a dead end, you have many different options, including:

• Extension cords
• Battery powered lights
• Solar powered lights
• Install an outdoor outlet
• Bluetooth Outdoor Lighting
• LED Candle

Any of these great options will work well, but which will work best for you? The best choice for your needs depends on the amount of planning you want to do in advance. 

For example, consider using solar-powered lights if you want an environmentally savvy way to spruce up your outdoor space. It is great for the environment and will save you a hefty penny compared to electric lights on your power bill. It also requires no planning in advance- just purchase and go! 

However, if you don’t live in a place with a lot of sunlight, you might consider installing an outside outlet yourself. It is important to note that this idea is not for everyone. It requires a lot of electrical work, which is dangerous for inexperienced individuals. 

Top 6 best ways to decorate outside without outlets

1. Extension Cord

To decorate outside with an extension cord, you only need an indoor outlet and an extension cord. Run the extension cord through a window or your basement to power those outdoor decorations.

However, it is important to know that not all extension cords are equal. You must choose a proper extension cord for outdoor purposes. Brushing up on outdoor extension cord safety tips is also smart.

Running an extension cord through a window does not mean you will have to leave your window open constantly. There are many ways you can run an extension cord without letting in a draft or pesky bugs by leaving your window open all season long. 

2. Battery Powered Lights

Battery-powered lights are a great idea for anyone looking to spruce up their outdoor space without electrical sockets. They are inexpensive and easy to set up. 

Some battery-powered lights even come with remote controls, making it easier to set the mood while enjoying your space at night. The remote control also means you do not have to plug and unplug your lights constantly manually. It won’t even have a plug!

You will need to ensure that the battery-powered lights you choose and the batteries are weatherproof. There is no sense in setting everything up, only to have the rain damage it all! 

3. Solar Powered Lights

Solar-powered lights, similar to battery-powered, are perfect for outdoor spaces without electrical outlets. They are environmentally friendly and very cost efficient after setting up.

Solar-powered lights run on rechargeable batteries to help them function properly. Every solar-powered decoration will have a solar panel to help recharge the batteries. 

When setting up solar-powered lights, it is important to position the solar panel in the best possible location to soak up all the sunlight during the day. 

4. Installing an outdoor outlet

Installing an outdoor outlet is not the right choice for everyone and requires much more effort than the previous three options. But for anyone handy with electrical wiring and tools, you can set up your outdoor outlet with a few steps. 

Before deciding, you must ensure that your electrical circuit can handle the new outdoor outlet. For safety tips and requirements, check out this Home Depot instructional video.

5. Bluetooth Outdoor Lighting

Another great option you should consider is Bluetooth outdoor lighting. As its name suggests, this type of light is energized by Bluetooth. 

Not only are these Bluetooth outdoor lights safe, but they can also work when the weather is unfavorable. In other words, there’s no need to worry about the risk of electric shock. 

What’s more, these lights are rechargeable, and they don’t use up too much energy to function effectively.  

Interestingly enough, you can control some of these lights using an application on your phone. This means you don’t have to keep going out when you need to switch on the lights in your environment.  

6. LED Candles 

Are you planning to create a warm, admirable atmosphere? If so, choose LED candles. They look like wax candles but are safer and easier to use. In addition to being easy to move around the environment, these candles do not drip wax. 

It’s no wonder why LED candles are becoming more popular nowadays than wax candles. Additionally, some LED candles are solar-powered and come in the form of lanterns. And you can control some of these candles with a remote. 

So feel free to make your home outstanding, secure, and bright without spending a dime on electricity.

More on this category: How to Fill a Pond With Water

Final thoughts

While you may not have an outdoor outlet, you now know you have options! Decorating outside should be fun- not stressful. 

You can decorate outside by opting to use solar-powered or battery-powered lights. If you don’t mind a little extra hassle, you could instead choose to install an outdoor outlet yourself or run a proper outdoor extension cord from inside your home.

So there you go! Go on and decorate, because now you know how to decorate outside without an outlet.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you get power to the Christmas lights which are outside?

The top two ways most people power their Christmas lights during the holidays are with outdoor outlets or power from their basements. You can also avoid the use of running cords by purchasing lights that do not run on electricity. 

Do all houses have outside outlets?

While one might assume that all modern houses have outlets outside, they do not. It is also likely that some homes with outdoor outlets need to update them for safety. 

Building codes state that every new home must have at least one outside outlet. Each outdoor outlet must also have a GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter, fitted with it. 

The GFCI acts as a safety buffer to avoid electrical disasters, especially around water.

Is there such a thing as a wireless outlet?

Wireless power sockets run through regular electrical outlets. They use the internet to connect to smart devices, such as Amazon’s Alexa, to turn everyday appliances like coffee makers into smart machines you can run from your phone.

These power sockets are more like plugs rather than outlets. Instead of powering your device with electricity, it only allows you to control it without having to do so manually.