This Classic Multicolor Outline Never Goes Out of Style
Get This Classic C9 Look
There's something timeless about glass multicolor C9 bulbs outlining the roofline and windows of a home. The glow is bold and traditional, with just the right amount of nostalgia. No complicated animations required — just steady jewel-tone color that makes every window and roof peak pop against the night sky.
The customer display shown above uses roughly 200 glass C9 opaque multicolor bulbs to trace the outline of a vintage brick home. The finished look is simple, cheerful, and reminiscent of classic Christmas light tours from childhood.
If you're planning a similar project for your home, here's what you'll need plus a few practical tips to make installation day smooth and stress-free.
Materials Used
- 100–200 C9 glass multicolor bulbs (or choose a single color or custom pattern)
- 2 rolls of 100' green C9 SPT-1 Christmas cord with 12" spacing
- 6 green Gilbert male plugs for creating custom lengths and leads
*Your exact quantities will depend on your home's size and bulb spacing. Standard C9 spacing is 12".
Tips for Planning & Installing
1. Measure first, then cut your cord to fit
Measure each run separately: eaves, peaks, porch arches, and window frames. Write those numbers down, then cut your C9 cord into individual sections for each area. Add a little extra length so you can route cords neatly without worrying about being 6 inches shy of the end of a run.
2. Create segments instead of one long run
Breaking your layout into multiple segments makes troubleshooting and future changes much easier. Use Gilbert plugs to terminate each section and to create male-ended leads where needed. If a section ever needs repair, you can remove just that run instead of taking down the entire display. Take-down and storage is also easier. Be sure to label where each section is located before storing for the summer.
3. Outline the architecture
The charm of this project is the clean outlining of the home's details: roof peaks, windows, the front door arch, and even the vertical corners. Follow the lines of the house and let the shape of the architecture become the star.
4. Use clips for a neat, professional line
Secure each socket with a clip so bulbs sit straight and level. A tight, consistent line is what differentiates a professional-style installation from a saggy, uneven run. Install all your empty cords and clips first, then screw in the bulbs as a final step.
See all of our clips and choose the best clip for your particular roof configuration.
Some of our favorite clips are:
C7/C9 Magnetic Clips
Perfect for metal roofs & fascia. Test flashing first for compatibility.
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Multi Application Clips
Versatile design works at shingle edge and flips for gutter installation.
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All in One Clip
The OG clip for shingle edge installation. Built to last season after season.
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Original Shingle Tab + Parapet
Perfect combination for flat roofs. Secure hold for commercial-grade installs.
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5. Plan your power and load
Glass C9 bulbs are incandescent, so pay attention to total wattage on each run and outlet. Divide the display across multiple circuits when needed. If you love this classic glass look but want more flexibility with load, consider mixing in LED C9s on longer or more complex runs.
Design Ideas & Color Variations
Multicolor is just one option. Once you have your cords and plugs in place, you can swap bulb colors to change the look from year to year.
- Classic Christmas (shown): Red, green, orange, blue, red, and pink glass (incandescent) C9 bulbs.
- All warm white LED: Clean, elegant, and beautiful on brick or stucco homes.
- Red and green alternating: A traditional pattern in either glass or LED that reads clearly from the street.
- White and blue: A frosty, wintery look that also works beyond Christmas if you add red to the mix.
- Candy cane: Red and white alternating along peaks and arches for a bold statement. Explore patterns other than 1 bulb red, 1 bulb white. Try 2 of each, 1 red alternated with 2 white, and so on.
Once your cords are installed, changing colors is as simple as unscrewing bulbs and dropping in a new palette.
