Instructions for Hanging Japanese Paper Lamps
Japanese paper lanterns can add a festive touch to any celebration or to your everyday living space. Placed indoors or outdoors, they provide a soft, ambient light which enriches any environment. Used for thousand of years throughout Asia, paper lanterns remain popular today and are used all over the world. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Determine the placement of your lanterns, whether hanging single lanterns or using stringers to hang multiple lanterns. The placement of your lanterns will largely be determined on your desired effect. If using lanterns to light a room, then they'll need to be placed lower to the ground or in clusters near where you'd like the light. Experiment with height and amount of lanterns until the desired amount of light is obtained. If using lanterns to create ambience, place them higher and adjust the amount for the effect you'd like to create. Again, experiment to determine a suitable lighting arrangement.
-
2
Choose a lighting option for your lantern. There are battery and electric powered bulbs available that work with single or multiple lanterns. Use the recommended wattage bulbs. Using higher wattage bulbs can create a fire hazard. Incandescent bulbs should be placed between 3 and 4 inches from the paper because of the heat they produce. Fluorescent bulbs, however, can be placed just about any distance from the paper because they generate minimal heat.
-
-
3
Plan lantern placement based on power outlets. Determine whether your cords will reach or whether extension cords will be needed. Depending on the complexity of your lighting plan, you may find it useful to draw a simple lighting diagram to figure out where the supports, power cords, and lights will be.
-
4
Use a hammer to insert nails which will support the weight of the lantern. Place the nails at the same height on each support, if planning to have a straight or bowed line from support to support. Nails can also be used at different heights, depending on the lighting effect you'd like to achieve in the room. Use hooks to support the weight of the extension cord if using electric powered bulbs---one hook every 12 inches is recommended.
-
5
Measure your stringers, which will support the lanterns. If hanging multiple lanterns, heavy-duty fishing line works best because you can't see it. When cutting the fishing line, measure the distance between supports and double it if you want the stringer line to bow so the lamps are lower in the middle and higher on the ends. Even if you'd like the line taut, give yourself additional line to tie support loops.
-
6
Attach the fishing line to one support and work your way across, tying loops as you go that will support the individual lanterns. Give the loops a tug to make sure they are tight before moving on to the next one. When you reach the end, adjust the stringer as desired and tie it off well.
-
7
Hang the individual lanterns, or on the stringers from the loops, and plug in.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
When using a stepladder, don't climb higher than recommended and have someone support the ladder while you work.
References
- Photo Credit japanese lamp image by Evgenij Gorbunov from Fotolia.com
