What Color Should The Bulbs Be
Whenever Im buying lightbulbs, whether for indoor or outdoor use, I always look for warm white. Regular lightbulbs will have this Lighting Facts diagram on the back of the box like the ones below. Youll always want your light color to be on the warm side of the spectrum.
Boxes of string lights may or may not have this diagram. But the point is that you want a warm glow with yellow/orange undertones, similar to the color of candlelight. Anything that says daylight or cool is going to have a blue cast like an alien spaceship. And Im guessing thats not the ambiance youre going for.
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts
Café lights add a gorgeous glow to an outdoor living space, but they can be tricky to hang if you dont have trees or other tall objects to string them from. Heres a freestanding solution for hanging lights that uses planters and wood posts. Its totally temporary, so its perfect for renters.
- spray paint in desired color
- drop cloth
- 2 x 2 x 8 posts
- coordinating paint color, if desired
- painter’s tape
- 50 lb. bags of quick concrete mix
- water
- gravel or other drainage material
- potting soil
- 100 feet of patio string lights
How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts: Fill Planter With Concrete
Place the unpainted end of a 2 x 2 x 8 post in each of the planters. Divide the dry concrete mix evenly over the planters. Add water to the concrete mix according to the manufacturers instructions and stir with a stick until well combined.
Sam Henderson
Place the planter on level ground and use a level on one side to make the post plumb. Add painter’s tape across the planter on all four sides of the post to hold it in position. Allow the concrete to harden according to the manufacturers instructions before proceeding.
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How To Hang Outdoor String Lights From Diy Posts: Paint Planters
Wipe planters clean with a damp cloth. Place planters upside down on a drop cloth and cover completely with spray paint. Apply additional coats as necessary for full coverage. Turn planters over and paint the rim and inside the rim.
Sam Henderson
If desired, paint one end of the 2 x 2 x 8 posts with the same paint by masking off the last 5-6 with painters tape. Allow to dry completely before masking again at the end of the painted portion and 1 below that, leaving a 1 band to be painted.
Whats The Best Way To Hang Outdoor String Lights
The answer, of course, is It depends. But never fear! Were about to go through 10 different ways to hang outdoor string lights.
The best option for you will come down to whats around your outdoor space to secure the lights to, whether you need to install your own posts, and whether you plan to leave the lights up year-round or take them down for the colder months.
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How To Hang String Lights In Backyard Without Trees
See these outdoor string light poles at
At face value, this can seem like a tricky problem. After all, how do you hang string lights without a natural place to hang them on? Luckily, there are a few ways to tackle the problem.
The most common answer to this problem is to use poles. These can be set up wherever theyre needed and they can provide a place to loop and attach string lights. Well take a deeper look at how to make and install your own poles later.
Another answer is to hang string lights on your fence rather than across your yard. This is a great way to surround your yard in a soft glow. They can be attached a few different ways. Simply wrapping the lights around the fence works but it tends to look rather messy. Instead, its worth it to invest in coaxial staples. Theyre easy to attach and they hold on well to wood which means theyre perfect various outdoor uses.
Other similar answers are to use the string lights where youre most likely to spend time at such as on your patio or deck. Were going to take a look at how to pull off these ideas in a moment.
How To Hang String Lights
Below we share how to hang string lights for a variety of areas including bedrooms, walls, patios, decks and pergolas.String lights arent just for Christmas anymore. Fairy lights are becoming a staple in college dorm rooms and bedrooms. Strings of bulbs are a good way to add a vintage touch to backyards, apartments, and even cafes are adopting them. Even strings of hanging lanterns are a whimsical touch to any backyard reception.
Of course, just throwing string lights up probably wont give you the look you want. Here, were going to break down the best way to hang your string lights wherever you might want them.
Theres a good tip before we get into any specific installation is to check your string lights before hanging them up. While everything is likely to be fine, its better to find any potential problem with the lights before you go through the trouble of hanging them up.
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How To Hang String Lights On Covered Patio
A covered patio makes hanging string lights a bit easier. This is because these types of patios already have somewhere to hang lights from.
The first thing to consider is what style will work for your patio. A zigzag pattern might be great for some patios but the design could interfere with structural elements such as ceiling fans. In those cases, string lights framing the edges of the ceiling can offer a beautiful alternative. Another choice is to run the lights in straight lines across the ceiling. These can be carefully placed to avoid any other design facets on the ceiling.
No matter what pattern you use, the first step is to measure the space. Try to start your length of string lights as close to an outlet as possible. Then, youll want to consider how youre going to anchor your lights. One option is to use the same coaxial staples as before. If youre looking to avoid the use of nails, however, you can try adhesive hooks. If you use adhesive hooks, its crucial to make sure theyre made for outdoor use. The last thing you want is for your hooks to slide off the wall at the first sign of foul weather.
If your commercial grade lights tend to heat up, you can use trimmed down zip ties connected between the hook and wire to add a little extra distance.
Choosing String Vs Disc Light Depending On Umbrella Type
String lights and Disc lights have their own advantages and disadvantages and you might choose one depending upon your needs aesthetics vs performance. But theres one more thing that you need to consider, which is the type of your umbrella
Basically, we have two types of umbrellas Regular and Offset.
Though I prefer offset umbrellas all the way when it comes to lighting, it faces limitations. Typically, you cant use disc LED lights on offset umbrellas as theyre installed on the pole, and the pole of an offset umbrella sits aside, so it wont serve the purpose of lighting.
Good quality LED strip lights are your best bet for offset umbrellas, which by the way, look really class and aesthetic of offset umbrellas.
On the other hand, you could use both strip and disc lights on a regular umbrella as the design is friendly to take advantage of both.
If you must install disc umbrellas on an offset model, look up a little if theres any disc light thats friendly to install on an offset umbrella. That might be a tough search but you could be in luck.
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How To Build A String Light Pole On A Deck
Time needed: 1 hour.
Simple tutorial to attach a string light pole to a raised deck
We used two – one on each of the farthest corners of the deck. This way we could attach hooks to the house and to the poles and swag the lights back and forth.
Allow to dry.
Using wood screws, attach each pole to the back of the deck. We used two screws for each post to ensure they were stable. Make sure you check for level as you are screwing them in.
Screw a hook on to the top of each pole as well as to the side of the house where the string lights will start and end.
Simply hang the beginning of the light set from the first hook and drape across to the next hook, then the next hook and so on. We had a few feet of lights left when we reached the last hook and just let it trail down the side of the house.Note: Depending on where your nearest electric outlet is you may need to get a little creative with plugging in your lights. Ours is way over next to our bulkhead, which is about 15 feet away from the deck. We plugged an extension cord in, tacked it under the siding and ran it all the way over the deck and up side to meet the lights. You can see the white extension cord where it meets the black string of lights.
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Different Patio Light Ideas
There are many ways to beautify your patio, but one of the simplest things you can do is set up new lighting. Whether its hanging no-frills string lights or installing a sparkling outdoor chandelier, the right lighting can provide the perfect combo of style and functionality. Weve rounded up eight light ideas to make your patio shine during game nights, summer BBQ parties, and everything in between.
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Tip : Invest In Decent
This does not mean you need to drop hundreds of dollars on lights. It just means that you might not want to buy the cheapest option you can find. I spent an entire 2-hour Ramona nap one day browsing string lights and reading reviews.
If you search outdoor string lights or outdoor globe lights on Google or Amazon, you get approximately 900 billion results to sort through. I quickly realized that the prices were much better on Amazon than they were through Target, so I started reading through Amazon reviews.
I settled on the black globe string lights, way cheaper than the options at Target, from the Outdoor Lighting Store for a few reasons:
- Reviews were great.
- The lights came with extra bulbs.
- Zip ties were included as well.
- They claimed to have a warm glow instead of a bright white light.
- Each strand could be connected to one another.
- The company offered a two-year warranty and seemed to have pretty good customer service. You could also order new bulbs, which can be difficult with some string lights.
Hang Your String Lights
Now just connect the lights to all the hooks, and thats it.If you just have one strand of lights, youre done after you attach the lights with cable clamps or hooks.
But often youll need to connect strings together. Just secure the male end to the female end of each string.
Check with your manufacturer to make sure that you are not connecting too many strands together. If you connect too many it will put a lot of strain on the string lights. The weight of the lights add to the tension of the string and it may also make the lights sag. A little curve is natural, but you dont want them to hang too low.
If you are hanging glass bulbs, consider removing them before hanging your string. This way, you dont have to worry about them breaking during installation. Its incredibly helpful to remove the bulbs if youre hanging several strands of lights or if they cross each other.
Use guide wire to support the hanging lights if needed. If you are hanging heavy bulbs or running hanging lights about 100 feet or more, we recommend guide wire. It provides extra support for your hanging lights, reducing the tension of the strings.
Check out this video to learn more.
If you buy lights with hanging grommets, you can thread the guide wire through the grommet before you hang the lights.
If your lights dont have grommets, use zip ties to secure the guide wire to the string lights. You can do this before or after hanging the lights.
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How To Hang String Lights In Bedroom
Now that weve discussed how to hang string lights both from your walls and ceiling, lets take a look at some of the best ideas for bedroom string lights.
One of the most whimsical ways to use string lights or fairy lights with a beds canopy. They can be simply looped around the bed frame. Since most people position their bed near an outlet so they can charge their phone, its easy to plug them in. Youll want to make sure you use lightweight lights so it doesnt weigh your canopy down.
You could also hang lights for display from the bottom bunk of a bed by slipping your lights through the slats of the top bunk. This is a great idea for kids rooms and dorms.
String lights strategically placed around a wall can also be a great choice too. Stringing them up around a desk or cork board can put a visual emphasis on those areas. Not to mention, it can be an excellent way to offer gentle lighting to work by as it gets dark. This can be particularly useful when youre living with a roommate.
Having a dark accent wall with vertical hanging string lights can add drama and visual interest to your romantic bedroom design. Another idea that is becoming commonplace in dorm rooms is to pair fairy lights with photos. Between the bulbs themselves, clip on clothespins to hang pictures from. Not only is this a cute way to hang mementos, but it also doesnt damage them the way just pinning them to a wall does.
See more
Summary Of Hanging String Lights Under Covered Patio Or Deck
Seriously, this is the easiest project ever. Adding string lights to our deck makes our evening more magical. The lights look glorious during sunset hours. I just love to get away from the noise of what a big family offers and just sit and relax with a cup of hot chocolate. The glow is charming and provides a surprising amount of light.
While it is true that bugs are less attracted to these LED lights as compared to my regular fan lighting, I now had a new appreciation for what my screened in patio could do for me. Check out our project on restoring our deck patio furniture here!
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Can You Hang String Lights With A Staple Gun
Staple guns should not be used to hang string lights. Not only will staples damage your home’s walls, but it could also completely damage the lights. The recommendation is to just use a drill to install hooks and/or screw eyes or potentially find plastic clips and hooks that are strong enough to hold up your string lights.
Light Ideas For Small And Large Patios
Whether you have a large or small outdoor patio, these light ideas can help elevate your nighttime activities with friends and family.
1 Overhead String Lights
String lights are one of the most tried-and-true options for patio lighting. When hung over an outdoor living room or dining table, string lights provide a warm, inviting ambiance thats perfect for late-night conversations and intimate dinners with family and friends.
There are numerous creative ways to use string lights, but the most common method is to find two structures e.g., a tree and the eaves of your house and hang your string lights between them. For covered patios, the simplest way to secure string lights is to attach them to each corner of the roof. This helps give your patio an enveloping, uniform look. If you dont have any structures to hang string lights, consider freestanding string lights.
2 Freestanding String Lights
Dont have anywhere to hang outdoor string lights? Or maybe you dont want to go through the process of securing lights to your house or trees? There are plenty of freestanding options that are perfect for your needs. Best of all, these are temporary. If you want to change the look of your patio, you can easily take them down.
3 Rope Lights
4 Outdoor Chandeliers & Pendants
5 Solar Illuminated Planters
6 Outdoor Mason Jar Lights
7 Recessed Lighting
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How To Hang Patio Lights
With a little planning, patio string lights have the unique ability to make any outdoor space more exciting. We made this guide for anyone looking to get started.
Turn your dark, unused outdoor spaces into a nighttime oasis with the help of patio lights! Hanging patio lights across the backyard, deck or inside of an outdoor structure like a gazebo or pergola is a perfect way to add ambient landscape lighting for every day use, parties and outdoor events. Scroll down a little to start at the beginning or click on one of the links below this text to skip straight to the patio lights topic you’re looking for!
With a little planning, patio string lights have the unique ability to make any outdoor space more exciting. We made this guide for anyone looking to get started.
Hanging Patio Lights Guide
How to Hang Patio Lights
The installation process can vary depending on where and how you decide to hang your patio lights. To get you started, we’ve created a list of the basic steps, supplies you might need and methods to use.
Supplies You Might Need
- Hooks- these could be screw-in hooks or another variety.
- Zip ties
Hanging Patio String Lights Basic Steps
Where To Hang Patio Lights
- Across the backyard or deck
- Attached to Trees
DIY Patio Light Pole