Install Paper Lantern Lights

How to Install a Paper Lantern Light Fixture with One Hand.

Learn how to easily set up a paper lantern over your existing light bulb. I’ll show you a simple, one-handed method to get it in place, and why choosing the right bulb is important.

Why an LED Filament Bulb is Essential

Before you install the lantern, make sure you have the right kind of light bulb. This is the most important step for safety and good looks.

Use an E27 LED filament bulb (like the Philips CorePro). Here’s why:

• Safety: LED bulbs produce very little heat compared to old incandescent bulbs. A hot bulb inside a paper lantern is a fire hazard and can scorch the paper. LEDs stay cool.
• Light Quality: Filament LEDs give off a warm, pleasant, 360-degree glow that looks beautiful shining through the paper, similar to an old-fashioned bulb but without the drawbacks.

Steps to Install Your Paper Lantern

Most paper lanterns are designed to be intuitive. They usually come flat and expand into shape. Here’s how to get it over your light fixture.

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the lantern. Take your folded paper lantern and gently expand it into its round shape. You’ll see a wire frame that holds it open.
2. Locate the top loop. Find the small wire or string loop at the very top of the lantern. This is what will hook over your light fixture.
3. Turn off the light. Always switch off the light at the wall before you start. Let the existing bulb cool down if it was just on.
4. The one-handed hook. Reach up and hold the lantern by its top loop. Carefully guide this loop over the light bulb and onto the fixture’s ceiling hook, cord, or base. The goal is to hook it onto the part that holds the weight, not the bulb itself.
5. Adjust and center. Once the loop is secure, let the lantern hang. Gently adjust it so it sits straight and the bulb is centered inside. The bulb should not be touching the sides of the paper lantern.

Tips for a Perfect Setup

• Check clearance: The most important rule is to ensure the light bulb does not touch the paper. There should be a clear gap all around. LED bulbs are cool, but contact can still cause wear or discoloration over time.
• Use the existing hardware: Most setups have a hook or loop from the ceiling fixture. Your lantern simply hangs from this. If there isn’t one, you may need to install a small hook in the ceiling (turned off at the circuit breaker first).
• It’s okay if it’s snug: The video shows it can be a tight fit getting the lantern around the bulb and cord. Go slowly, and use the flexibility of the paper and wire frame to maneuver it into place.

With the right cool-burning LED bulb and this simple hanging method, you can add soft, ambient light to any room with a paper lantern quickly and safely.