Decorating the house with lights is a project we undertake every Diwali. Some of us prefer to focus only on the front exteriors of the house while some love to embellish the entire building — indoors and outdoors — with decorative lights. Thus, arises the need for lighting options which are cheap and energy efficient, that make for a real eco-friendly Diwali celebration.

Electric diyas

(Shutterstock)

Traditional diyas and candles never go out of style. Arrange earthen diyas on a ceramic or marble platter and place them in the foyer, hallway or the puja room. There are sellers offering them in a wide range of unique designs at discounted rates. However, if you want to go creative, try flameless electric diyas which is available as a stunning multi-layer gold lamps, at a starting price of Rs 300.

Smart lights

(Flickr)

Leading electronics companies have come up with innovative lighting products, for instance, light strips that are multi-coloured, portable and dimmable to create a pre-set effect. They can be operated using smartphone applications. They have a wireless design with options to adjust the light levels, colours, program a timer. Prices start from around Rs 3,000.

Kalash lights

(Amazon.com)

For a shimmering house entrance this festive season, you should choose multi-coloured LED illuminators which are designed in the form of symbols like Om or Swastika and even as a mangal Kalash. They are priced between Rs 200 to Rs 500 per piece.

Votive candles

(Wikimedia)

Votive candles can be hung, indoors or outdoors, in colourful bottle holders for a vibrant look. Display aromatic candles on tables or wall corners by keeping them in candle holders of subtle shades, for a vintage look. Metal or glass votive holders can be used for achieving will enhance the look of the room. The prices start from Rs 400 for a set of eight pieces.

Accordion paper lantern

(Flickr)

Antique lanterns made from clay or handicrafts are exquisite options for the occasion. But, accordion paper lanterns are elegant décor pieces. They collect sunlight during the day and automatically and emit a glow by the dusk. For outdoor purposes, they are made from heavy duty nylon and are available in many shapes and colours at a price of Rs 300 per set of three lanterns.

Floating candles

(Wikimedia)

Floating candles have become popular over the years. For a soothing ambience, they can be displayed in vases, bowls and martini glasses inside the house. They are great for outdoor settings too and sparkle when displayed in any water feature like pools or fountain. Floating candles have long burn time of 8 to 10 hours, depending on their sizes.

You can buy them in bulk from wholesale dealers online, with one candle available at a price as low as Rs 10.

Battery-operated LED tealights

(Amazon.in)

LED tealights are ideal lighting options for creating focal areas both indoors and outdoors. Suspend them in the patio or put them in Moroccan jars at a corner table. The price ranges from Rs 199 for a set of 100 tealights to Rs 3,000 for a set of 6 battery-powered tealights.

Fairy lights

(Flickr)

Fairy lights, string lights or rice lights are small electric lights which work incredibly well to get you the right amount of illumination as well as accentuate the key features of the house. Suspend them from the balcony or wrap them around the chandelier, vases and mirrors. Place them inside mason jars or drape them around a tree or a planter in the garden or patio. You can explore for solar-powered string lights, photo clip string lights and curtain string lights, copper waterproof string lights or metal ball string lights, available in the online market.

Starting price of LED rice lights is Rs 35 per piece while a string of 50 LED lights can cost you about Rs 250.