Paper lanterns can be used for all kinds of decorating around the house and other places like music venues and restaurants. Their immediate function is aesthetic as many don't produce much light which would be their secondary function. That's not to say that paper lanterns can't provide illumination to problem areas; it's just not their main function. Too bright of a bulb poses the risk of fire even though most paper lanterns are fire retardent. As a decoration though, you can really add some originality to a backyard event or a main room in your home. They also make for fun night lights for children when you use a low wattage bulb. You can install them for outdoor use but they should be taken down in inclement weather to avoid damage.

A paper lantern usually has a metal frame and can take many shapes. Basically it is made from three pieces of equipment: fire retardant paper, a metal frame and wiring for a bulb or a plate for a candle. Most common shapes are spherical or long and cylindrical, but you can find them in other traditional shapes. Traditional Chinese paper lanterns are red with gold lettering and are either shaped like capsules with tassels hanging from them or are accordion-like in style. These were originally used in ceremonies for the dead, but today they are used in festivals like Chinese New Year, parties, weddings and the like. You can use pagoda-styled lanterns in your Japanese garden to light your pond at night as well. Most that you will find are hanging paper lanterns but there are many that have legs and stand upright on their own. These are typically used indoors though.

In the ever growing green world we are living in, steering away from plastics and other environmentally unfriendly materials is essential. Recycle paper is a viable resource for reducing your carbon footprint in the world and even better they provide a clear aesthetic to home decorating. A string of paper lantern lights requires little resources to make, just metal wire for the frame and paper to cover it. All of these materials can be made from 100% recycled goods. Use low energy bulbs to light it and you have a "green" lantern. The best part about it is you can find wholesale paper lanterns that have been made from recycled material for dirt cheap or you can make them yourself.

As it is made of paper, your lantern is easy to rip so setting it up requires care. If you are setting up white paper lanterns in your home for an aesthetic purpose chances are they came in a flat plastic case requiring you to assemble them. Of course they don't have to be white. You could have some colorful Japanese paper lanterns, the instructions are the same and it's easier than it sounds to "build" them. The metal frame is collapsible and has an expander that when set in place will push the frame into an open position. You merely insert the frame into the lantern and careful move the expander into place so that you do not tear the lantern paper. Depending on the type of lantern you have you may be required to attach an electrical cord for your bulb. Sometimes the lamps come with this gear, sometimes you have to buy it yourself. Regardless of the situation you need to measure the distance from your lamp to your outlet to make sure you have enough cord. Once you determine that the last step is to set the bracket from which your lantern will hang in the ceiling.

You can make cheap paper lanterns yourself. Following is a video on how to get started making your own paper lanterns. It's part one of a series that I think really makes it clear how to do this yourself. Enjoy.