Decorating with strands of lights - what do you think?

I do like the soft glow and ambiaence of fairy lights - which have been in a lot of interiors for some time now, but for some reason whenever I turn mine on (I have one strand in a bedroom corner), I always feel like it's a bit contrived - or just so obviously staged. What do you guys think? Do you have lights, and if so, how do you make them feel like you switched them on just like any other light?

image via sfgirlbybay

via Posy

via La la Lovely via Haus Maus

via La la Lovely via Pink Wallpaper

via Crafty Chica (go here to learn to make these too!)

these lights are made from egg cartons!
via Time Zone One

via Apartment Therapy