Onion String Lights: Cozy Lighting Ideas for Cottage & Seaside Homes

Onion lights cape cod style lighting — *Cafe Design*

Onion lights, named for their rounded shape, were originally used on whaling ships and fishing boats. Today they remain one of the most recognizable nautical lighting styles for coastal homes—especially on Cape Cod. I’ve always loved them. We had onion lights at our family beach house near Cannon Beach, Oregon, and we’re installing them now at our island home in Washington.

For the back of our house, flanking the new French doors, I bought two matching onion lights. Well-crafted, handmade versions can be expensive, but there are plenty of affordable options that deliver the same charming coastal look without the high price tag.

Below are several curated options across different price points, along with inspirational photos to help you imagine how onion lights can enhance a seaside or coastal-style home.