How to Hang String Lights

Outdoor string lights come in many forms and add a beautiful glow to any part of your yard, whether it’s over your patio, in the trees, or around your deck. In the evening, their soft overhead glow can visually transform an ordinary patio into a relaxation spot or cheer up a dim walkway with an inviting luminescence. Hanging string lights in your backyard is a fun, easy, and budget-friendly way to add a little style to your living space. But there are several things you should consider before diving into the project. It’s important to think about where you intend to hang the string lights, the type of string lights you plan to buy, and how you’re going to install them. Read this guide to find out more about hanging string lights in your backyard.

Placement

The first step is to decide where you’d like to set up your string lights. Trees are natural supports that can be used to string lights either by wrapping them around each individual tree or by suspending them back and forth from one tree to another. You can also use zip ties to secure them in place. If your trees aren’t situated for this strategy, an alternative is to drape the string lights from your house using eye hooks or wrapped around the deck railing. Yet another option is to mount poles in the ground or in concrete-filled containers, and use them to hang the outdoor string lights from.

Varieties

Next, decide what type of string lights you’d like to use. Bistro lights, sometimes referred to as globe lights, have larger round or oval bulbs. They emit the most light and have a warm, nostalgic look. Fairy lights are smaller and typically give off less light than other types, but when clustered together they emanate a magical glow almost like stars twinkling in the sky. Rope lights are enclosed in clear PVC tubing, making them exceptionally durable and weather-resistant.

Most of these string light varieties also come with either incandescent or LED bulb options. LED bulbs last the longest, but they often have a slightly different shape and hue than their more traditional incandescent counterparts.
The key to deciding which type to purchase is to consider why you’d like to hang string lights. Some homeowners lack outdoor lights and use string lights to brighten a patio or backyard space, while others use them solely for decorative purposes to add ambience. If you’re hanging them for functional reasons, globe lights may be your best bet since they have the brightest glow. If you’re hanging them for decorative purposes only, any light will work and you should make your decision based on which type you like the best aesthetically. Be sure to measure carefully to ensure that you have enough lights to cover the area that you’d like to illuminate.

Installation

Now it’s time to begin installing your lights. First, identify where the power source is located and figure out how you’ll access it. Some homes have outdoor outlets, making the process very simple – just plug in the lights and go! But if you don’t have an outdoor outlet, then you’ll either need to run an extension cord inside or buy lights that don’t require electricity. String lights with a weatherproof battery or solar-powered lights are two good options.

Place a sturdy ladder underneath the spot where you’ll be hanging the lights and grab a friend to support you. Plug the lights in to make sure that they all work. If you’re using trees as supports, begin zigzagging the lights from one tree to the other, and be sure to wrap the cords around thicker branches. Another option is to arrange the lights so that they radiate out from a single point. If you’re simply putting the lights in individual trees, begin at the base of the tree and wrap the lights around until you reach the top. If you’ll be attaching the lights to the side of your house or to posts, you’ll need screw hooks for the points of attachment. Pre-drill pilot holes that are slightly smaller than the hooks, and then screw them in. Loop the cords around these hooks and back and forth from hook to hook. Repeat this process until you’ve covered the entire area.

It takes a bit of time and patience to hang string lights, but it is worth the small investment for a year-round glow that will add a magical feel to your outdoor space. Just be sure to plan out the process before you begin, and you’ll set yourself up for a frustration-free installation. And when the holidays roll around, you can use these tips to help you achieve a warm, festive feel by hanging additional string lights on your house and shrubs.

Faith Towers Provencher is a do-it-yourself decor blogger with a passion for all things creative. She shares colorful DIY projects and inspiration on her blog, Design Fixation, and on her Instagram and Pinterest accounts. She has also regularly contributed to Houzz.com, BobVila.com, DIYs.com, Curbly.com, and many others. She received her art degree from Skidmore College in upstate New York and has been working on a freelance basis in the Boston area for a decade. When she’s not working, she’s usually exploring local antique shops with her family or walking her mischievous dog Charlie.