Making Your Own Paper Lanterns For Your Home
Paper lanterns add an elegant yet rustic touch to your home interior decor. They serve the same purpose as people use them today as far as Chinese culture is concerned. However, while most Americans commonly make paper lanterns with some types of papers, there are several other more authentic options available. These include solar-powered ones and battery operated ones. In addition to that, these days you can even find kits for making paper lanterns from various materials.
If you plan on purchasing any paper lanterns for your use at home, you should bear in mind the fact that the choices you make in terms of their color, size, and shape should be influenced by the type of interior design you want. For instance, if you are planning to use such lights outdoors then you might want to opt for ones with brighter colors. On the other hand, if you wish to decorate a particular room in your house such as your living room or dining room, then you may consider getting smaller ones that can be easily folded. As you can see, the choice you make when it comes to size, color, and shape will determine the overall effect that they will have in the interior decor.
If you want to make your own paper lanterns, then you should know that you can either purchase them already made, or you can fold them yourself. The choice between the two depends mostly on how many lights you wish to place inside. If you are not sure about how to make them, all you have to do is to visit your local craft store and ask the clerk to show you how to do so. Needless to say, they will charge you some money for this information.
The second option is to purchase the materials that you need from a Chinese store. Here, you can also find plans that can help you make paper lanterns. If you are trying to do it on your own, then you can simply purchase some plain construction paper and some brightly colored rice paper. You will be able to find these materials at any local craft store. However, if you do not have any plans handy then you will be forced to buy from a Chinese store since these items are rare and hard to find in most places.
When it comes to choosing the best type of paper lantern lights, the only two good options are the LED lights and the halogen lights. If you are not very sure which one to get, then the best way to go is to buy the LED lights since they are the most popular ones at the moment. Compared to regular incandescent bulbs, they produce more light per watt. However, when it comes to safety issues, it is debatable as to whether or not they are safe to use.
Another great alternative for those who want to make paper lanterns is the origami paper lanterns. This alternative is fun and easy to do. Basically, all you need to do is to fold paper into the shape that you want and stick it on the bamboo frame. When it comes to the lighting system, you can either stick the light bulb on the frame or you can tie a rope on both ends and attach a bell attached to the frame.
While paper lanterns are popular, they do have their disadvantages. Since they are made out of paper, they tend to get burnt easily especially if they are exposed to fire. In addition, the flame from the bulb can also cause the frame to get warped over time which could potentially pose a risk to people who may try to pull them down.
On the other hand, origami paper lanterns are popular as they are environmentally friendly. As you can see from the information above, you can make your own alternative without having to buy anything. With these benefits and the low cost of making your own LED lights, you should seriously consider making some.