Hanging decorative lights without damaging the wall

Most decorative lighting goes up in a rented flat, where drilling is not an option and the fixing has to come down cleanly.

Adhesive hooks

Fine on smooth, dry, painted surfaces. They fail on distemper, on damp walls and in direct sun. Press for the full time the pack says and load them the next day, not immediately.

Tension lines

A thin nylon line strung between two fixed points, with the lights clipped to the line rather than the wall, is the most reliable approach for a long run. The line takes the weight; the wall takes almost nothing.

Balcony rails

Cable ties around a rail are secure, but do not overtighten — a tie pulled hard into the cable is exactly how insulation gets cut. Snug, not crushing.

What not to use

• Nails or staples through any part of the cable.
• Tape over a connector — it traps water instead of shedding it.
• A single hook carrying the weight of a whole set.

Taking them down

Coil around a piece of card rather than around your hand or elbow. Tight coils and sharp bends at the connector are what kill a set between seasons.