You cannot just hang some lights on your roof and expect people to stop and stare. The displays that really catch your eye have one thing in common: every single part of them was thought out carefully before anything was even put up. Additional info!
It all starts with the lights themselves. Not all lights are created equal. The cheap ones you find in big stores usually start to look bad by the middle of December. The good ones on the hand are made to last. They have insulation the bulbs are spaced evenly and they are made to keep their color even when it is cold outside. These lights will stay bright. Look great all season long. The cheap ones will start to fade, change color and eventually just stop working.
The way you space out your lights is also very important. If the lights are not evenly spaced it can make the whole display look bad. You might not even be able to put your finger on what’s wrong with it but you will know something is off. So before you start hanging your lights measure your roof. Make a plan for how you will space them out. This will make a difference in how your display looks when you are done.
Adding layers to your display is what gives it depth. If you just hang lights on your roof it will look flat. If you add some lights to your trees, your pathway and the trunks of your trees it will look much better. It is like lighting a room. If you only have one source it will look flat but if you have several sources of light it will look much nicer.
You should also think carefully about whether you want to hang your lights or hire someone to do it for you. Hiring someone is not a thing. It is just a practical decision. Professional installers have the insurance, the right tools and they can get the job done much faster than you can. If the thought of climbing up on your roof makes you nervous that is a sign that you should hire someone to do it for you. It is not worth risking your safety.
You should also think about how you will power all of your lights. This is something that a lot of people do not think about until it is too late and their circuit breaker trips. Professional installers will plan out their circuits before they even start hanging lights so they know how much power they will need. If you are planning a display you should think about how you will power it before you start not after it is already up.