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Adding item to the basket... LEDs have revolutionised decorative and commercial lighting. They have become synonymous with energy-efficiency and long-lasting brightness. However, with LED technology now standard, consumers must ask - what now sets one product apart from another? In this blog we explore how design, sustainability and technical detail create the real points of difference today.
When the technical baseline is met, design becomes one of the stand-out features. Today, lighting products need to deliver not just illumination, but emotion, attraction, and flexibility. Beyond basic functionality, design can transform a display into an experience that engages communities and extends usability throughout the year.
Some features that set products apart include:
• Modular displays or motifs that can be swapped seasonally: This allows councils, BIDs, and businesses to incorporate motifs that aren’t exclusively Christmas-themed, such as hearts for February, floral or pastel designs for spring, or coastal themes for summer. By planning beyond a single season, consumers can extend the use of their lighting into February, March, or even later.
• Lighting effects and product variety: Options like kinetic rope lights, programmable light strings, or satellite-controlled LED strings for tree wraps add movement, colour, and intrigue. Lighting products that allow for a mix of white, warm white, RGB, or colour-changing effects, giving users flexibility to create different moods, highlight features, or refresh their display for different events.
• LED festoon and filament styles: Festoon lighting is no longer just a string of bulbs. Modern LED festoons come in a variety of colours, filament styles, and programmable options, giving narrower streets, outdoor dining areas, and public spaces a distinctive character all year round.
• Smart controls: Dimmers, sensors, and scheduling options not only maximise efficiency and bulb life but also allow users to customise displays for different times of day or specific events.
• Brand identity support: Thoughtful lighting design can help create a unique identity for retail quarters, BIDs, or high streets. Iconic light patterns, ceilings, or street-wide motifs can become instantly recognisable, encouraging footfall and reinforcing a sense of place.
By combining these design elements with high-quality construction and sustainable materials, lighting products can stand out in both technical and visual terms, offering communities, councils, and businesses a display that is flexible, engaging, and suitable for multiple seasons.
Due to LEDs lasting far longer than older technologies, investment in lighting shouldn’t be thought of as a one season or one-year decorative cost. For example, UK frameworks show LED lighting life expectancy of 10+ years in suitable use.1
When hiring festive lighting, consumers should choose companies that maintain strict checks of LED vibrancy and replace any units that fall below standard. Some providers also offer refurbishment services as part of the hire period, which can include cleaning, repairing, or upgrading motifs and lighting elements. This ensures the display looks consistently vibrant throughout the season, reduces downtime, and extends the life of the equipment. For councils, BIDs, or businesses, this level of service takes the onus off the customer, provides peace of mind, and becomes a key differentiator, demonstrating a commitment to quality, reliability, and sustainability.
"When considering lighting, focus on the quality, maintenance, efficiency, and controllability — the four pillars of energy effective lighting... Energy efficiency should integrate into the overall design, balancing functionality and aesthetics."
Kristina Allison, President Elect of the Society of Light and Lighting (SLL)2
Another key differentiator today lies in the materials used and the way lighting products are constructed. Traditionally, high-quality frames are made from recyclable metals such as aluminium, which provide durability, structural integrity, and opportunities for circular economy initiatives. However, as any type of aluminium significantly increases a manufacturer’s carbon footprint, reducing its use is key for more ethical production. Designing motifs that replace up to 80% of aluminium with sustainable substrates, such as materials that utilise PET waste, can provide an enhanced daytime aesthetic while maintaining structural integrity and longevity — a significant advancement for the industry.
Plastics remain common in decorative lighting, but biodegradable or easily recyclable alternatives, including 3D printed recycled plastics, are increasingly used for intricate motifs. These innovative materials offer sustainability benefits while maintaining functionality across many applications.
The way a product is built can also set it apart. Welded joints provide high rigidity and long-term strength, but they can create stress points if not executed correctly, and they typically involve more labour and higher manufacturing costs. Bent corner designs, on the other hand, use less material and can reduce production time and cost while still offering sufficient durability for most seasonal and year-round applications. These choices are often subtle to the end user, but they influence product lifespan, sustainability credentials, and overall value.
Other factors that can differentiate a lighting product include whether it is designed for easy disassembly, maintenance, and future reuse. Products that can be taken apart and serviced more efficiently are not only cost-effective for councils and businesses, but also allow for interchangeable motifs or seasonal upgrades, extending the usefulness of the display while reducing waste.
Investing in products thoughtfully designed with durable materials and smart construction methods ensures that your lighting display stands out — not just in visual impact, but in quality, sustainability, and long-term value.
Research shows that in the UK lighting sector, £13.6 million worth of critical material value is lost annually due to inadequate collection and recycling infrastructure.3
Even though LEDs are now standard, not all lighting products are created equal. When evaluating options, it pays to consider not just brightness, but durability, sustainability, design flexibility, and ongoing support. Here’s a practical checklist to help councils, BIDs, and businesses assess lighting products:
• Expected Lifespan: How long will the product last under seasonal use versus continuous or year-round use? Consider also where the display will be installed: coastal environments, high-wind areas, or towns exposed to harsher weather conditions may experience faster wear and tear, which can influence overall product longevity.
• Materials and Sustainability: Are the components recyclable or made from environmentally friendly alternatives?
• Product construction: Is it modular, serviceable, or upgradable to extend usability and adapt for different seasons or events?
• Design and visual features: What differentiates this product visually? Consider motifs, smart controls, finishes, and other creative elements that can enhance engagement.
• Service or maintenance model: Especially important for hire products, is there a refurbishment or maintenance service in place to ensure the display remains vibrant and functional throughout the hire period?
By taking the time to evaluate these areas, councils, BIDs, and businesses can make a lighting investment that delivers more than just illumination. Thoughtful choices here can create displays that are visually striking, sustainable, and flexible - maximizing both impact and value year after year.
As LEDs become the baseline, your lighting investment should deliver more than just brightness. By choosing products that stand out in materials, construction, design and service, you ensure your lighting display brings value, flexibility and impact year after year.
