How To Hang Backyard Lights

Get The Right Color Bulbs

We sometimes forget about the ambiance created by the color of a bulb. The last thing you want is to think youre getting a clear or yellow bulb only to end up with a completely different color.

Take a look at the color of the bulbs before you start hanging them up. That way, you dont end up wasting a bunch of time or money.

How To Hang String Lights In A Backyard Without Trees

This article was co-authored by Christopher Lanier. Christopher Lanier is a handyman and the owner and operator of Watson & Company Handiworks, a handyman business in Austin, Texas. With over three years of experience, Christopher specializes in outdoor light installation, furniture assembly, TV mounting, and window treatment installation. Christopher holds a Bachelors degree in Business Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Watson & Company Handiworks is rated as a Top Pro by Thumbtack.There are 10 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 71,328 times.

Theres just something about sitting beneath hanging lights on a nice summer evening that creates an ethereal ambiance. In addition to being beautiful, hanging string lights provide ample backyard lighting at nighttime and are actually pretty simple to install. Even if your backyard does not have any trees, its no problem! With just a little time and a few extra supplies, youll soon be sitting beneath the glow of your own hanging lights.

Type Of Lighting Required

The very first thing that you should look at when buying the best patio umbrella light is lighting type. To get a clearer picture of what type of lighting to look at, you should ask yourself the following questions.

• What type of use do I need this lighting for?
• What design of patio umbrella light do I need?

If you just want a great time with loved ones, then looking for cool lighting designs will be awesome. Some of the lighting types that you can go for include.

• String hanging lights

• A game of cards

However, going with a disc-style lighting system is also a better solution in case you are looking to complete tasks when it is dark. They provide brighter much intense illumination at such moments.

You May Like: Landscape Ideas For Large Backyard

How To Hang String Lights In The Backyard Without Trees

It is a common thing to hang outdoor string lights on trees in the backyard. However, if your backyard has no trees, then you will need to look for alternative ways on how to hang string lights in the backyard without trees.

Here are some tips on how to hang string lights in the backyard without trees.

How Do You Put Lights On A Patio Umbrella

There are two ways of doing that. If you are using disc lights, you can put lights by clamping them on the patio umbrella pole. However, if you are using the strand lights, you need to follow the ribs, the circumference, and the pole. Strand lights seem to lace up the umbrella and should be stringed in the same way.

You May Like: Front Porch Welcome Sign Ideas

How To Hang Outdoor String Lights

Hanging outdoor string lights is a great way to add some extra ambiance and create the perfect atmosphere for your backyard. But, it can be a little tricky if you havent done it before.

Well show you how to hang your outdoor string lights on your outdoor patio and cover everything from choosing the right lighting all the way up to hanging them.

Planter Posts And Curtains

Carmona created an easy design using string lights and curtains that you can re-create pretty much anywhere, including snug patios and decks. She says, Hang semi-sheer curtains from a rope for a cabana-like feel. Its a quick and easy DIY trick that provides a bit of extra shade and that soothing cabana-like vacation feel right in your backyard.

You May Like: 9 Piece Patio Dining Set

How To Hang String Lights Over A Deck

If your deck has a railing, you can attach DIY posts to the existing railing to extend their height. The ideal height will probably be eight or nine feet, depending on which style of lights you choose, and how much you want to swag them.

Then use cup hooks or screw eyes to attach the light strands to the tops of each post.

How To Hang String Lights Above A Decking

We particularly like these warm white outdoor lights .

You can easily create a magical garland light canopy so you can extend your living area and enjoy sundowners in the yard.

‘Weve found the best way to hang string light above a deck is to use poles,’ says Lights.com ‘s Sheva Knopfler. ‘Frame the area youd like to light with the poles, and the string lights will be out of the wayand draped effortlessly.’

This set of 9.8 foot string light poles is ideal.

Amy Mason of Lights4fun agrees that poles are a good idea, and suggests you can also use fences too. ‘Daisy-chain multiple sets together and string the lights back and forth, up above the decking, attaching to pergola posts, surrounding fences or the exterior of your house,’ she says.

‘Secure them in place with cable ties for a fuss-free setup thatll give your garden an enchanted feel throughout.’

Amy adds: ‘Shepherds hooks are also a great way of displaying string lights overhead, perhaps over a dining table, so you can create a relaxing haven with any space.’

You May Like: Sliding Patio Door Rollers Replacement

Attach Your String Lights

After the guide wires are installed, you’re ready to hang your string lights. PartyLights.com recommends using zip ties to attach your string lights to the cable guide wire . For maximum support, use a zip tie on either side of each socket . Our commercial grade string lights do have mounting holes , however for long-term reliability and easier installation, we suggest using zip ties.

Optionally, an extra zip tie between sockets can help add security and maintain a “clean” look to the installation. If going across multiple spans in a zigzag or other pattern, secure the cord with zip ties at the corners when changing directions. The same technique would be used whether your sockets are in-line or suspended, as shown.

How To Hang Outdoor String Lights On A Tree

To hang outdoor string lights on a tree, you have a couple of options. If you are just looking to weave some lights through the branches and the tree trunk, theres no need to drill any holes into the tree. You can also hang string lights this way on fences, bushes, or your deck railing.

But if you are hanging several feet of string lights from trees, you will likely need to drill into the tree and install a hook.

You May Like: How Deep To Dig For Concrete Patio

Amir Patio Umbrella Light

For our first best patio umbrella light, we have the AMIR Patio Umbrella Light. The 24 LED lighting system is unique. It is easy to use and has one of the best lighting capacities. Its features are also cool and include:

Things we like

• Wide enough with a diameter of 7.87 inches
• Fits most patio umbrellas
• Has long lasting battery capacity
• Easy to charge and comes with a cord
• LED light life span is longer

Things should consider

• May catch dirt if left outside for long
• Doesnât come with a patio umbrella

TIP: Best patio umbrella lighting system for someone with a tight budget. It is easy to use and comes with a simple user manual too.

Where To Hang Outdoor String Lights

In a small space, you may not have much choice on where to place your lights. But if you have some flexibility, different spots are best for different purposes, such as adding functional light, defining a space, or simply improving the aesthetic. For Rachel, stringing lights underneath her deck added a welcoming feel to a previously not so cozy space. Doug, ever the handyperson, gathered up some 10-foot branches, buried them in the ground around his patio, and used them as light posts for a cool, rustic look.

Even if you arent burying your own branches, running lights between two posts or trees is a popular and good-looking choice. If you go that route, consider using a string-light hanging kit, which Doug calls a nice, all-in-one option, to help do the job. What those kits do is, they string a wire taut between two posts and then you can hang the lights off of the wire, he explains. It takes the stress off the light wire and its an effective way to maintain the proper slope, but without stretching and taxing the lines.

You May Like: How To Attach Patio Cover To House

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.

Use Planters To String Backyard Lights

We really debated on using our planters on the deck to string lights. We decided against it because we like the lights much higher.

We also didnt want to put that much weight on the planters we had since they were pretty short. If you decide to use planters, ensure they are 3-4 feet tall. That way you can put at least 12 inches of concrete in the bottom of the planters and then add soil and plants on top of it.

We hope this article helped you with how to string lights in your backyard. If youre looking for lighting ideas, take a look at our rope lighting ideas for your backyard.

If you liked this article, then please subscribe to our YouTube Channel for Backyard video tutorials. You can also find us on .

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Ants Under Patio

Make Use Of A Metal Pole

Comparable to the first method, this one necessitates some effort but is well worth the effort.

Step #1 Set a Foundation

Install light supports and string lights in the backyard by sinking concrete forms in the corners.

Make certain that the shapes are buried to a depth underneath the frost line. Fill in the concrete around a 1-inch PVC pipe in the center.

Step #2 Cut the Pipes

You can use a hacksaw and cut 3/4 of the tube to the height youll like your lights and the height of your PVC pipe that is in the ground.

Step #3 Drilling holes

Make sure the end that has the conduit has a 3/4 cap attached. In the bottom of the hole, put a screw eye.

Install your string lights there. Make sure to tighten the nut when youre done. After that, prime your pole and paint it in the color you choose.

Step #4 Incorporating LEDs

Your string lights can now be attached after completing the previous stages. Attach the lights with a zip tie. Spray paint the zip tie to suit the color of both your hook and pole to make it less obvious.

Low Effort Ways To Hang Patio Lights Without Nails

Patio lights can make a world of difference to your outdoor space. They immediately signal to all of your guests that you care about the ambiance of your patio and they make dim, dark spaces usable regardless of the time of day.

However, its not always obvious how to hang them up . You may be tempted to reach for a box of nails but hold on!

Before you do something you might regret, read through this guide. Ill tell you how to hang outdoor patio lights without nails and without drilling.

The easiest way to hang outdoor lights without nails or drilling is to install gutter hooks or adhesive-backed hooks on the surface. If neither is an option, consider using fixtures like trees or fenceposts to act as hanging points and wrap the lights securely. This approach will work for almost any type of siding including stucco, vinyl, brick, or wood.

First, lets take a look at why youd want to avoid making holes in your wall while hanging patio lights. Then, well take a look at all of the worthwhile ideas to hang patio lights without nails or drilling.

Don’t Miss: How To Make A Brick Patio On Uneven Ground

Mapping Out The Pattern

Best Uses For String Lights

String lights with powerful light bulbs, whether white light, warm light, fairy lights, or holiday lights, can provide a great entertainment space for your yard.

If you like to host a lot of parties, hanging bistro lights will give your guests a great atmosphere.

If youve done some amazing landscaping, having soft string lights will attract attention to these features at night.

String lights can also provide a sense of security, having your yard lit up in the evening, giving your home a higher sense of being lived in. Hook them up to a weather resistant smart plug and they will turn on and off, even if you arent home.

You May Like: How Do I Stain My Concrete Patio

Ultimate Guide: How To Hang Outdoor String Lights

I have no idea why it takes so much brain power to hang outdoor string lights .

But if youre new to this would-be simple backyard lighting DIY, it can be rather complicated.

Its so hard to know all of the technical details when it comes to running a working circuit, rigging posts, brackets, and cables correctly, setting up convenient extension cords and timers while still making it look pretty.

Over the years though, Robert and I have done every single outdoor string light hanging scenario in our backyard that you can imagine, so Im breaking down all of the steps for each one no matter what your situation is in your backyard.

Whats The Best Type Of String Lights

Bottom line, these are the best and most durable string lights around. Theyre LED, heavy-duty, and will last for many years. If you want to keep your lights up year-round, intend to use them for several years in a row, or are using them for some kind of commercial application, these are your best bet.

Ive had these high-quality lights over my patio for the past four years, and never had any problems with them. I will note that I take them down for the winter months, since we get freezing temperatures and some serious wind storms here in Seattle.

Also Check: Does Home Depot Rent Patio Heaters

String Light Cord Isnt Long Enough

If your light cord isnt long enough to reach the corners of your deck or patio, you can buy yourself some length by using cord to attach the strand to an eye hook. See the deck railing section above for a visual. You can also buy a little extra length with a carabiner.

Now go hang some lights and enjoy your outdoor spaces!