Hit The Hardware Store
Create a materials checklist and installation plan before heading to the home improvement store. Gather the necessary tools and outdoor-grade materials, including:
Be sure to purchase enough yardage with plenty of extra space for slack. Remember, string lights are normally draped the cables will not be pulled taut. Allow at least 12-inches of extra cable per strand.
Tools And Materials Needed For Hanging String Lights
- Globe Light Suspension Kit, Galvanized Steel Cable, 110 ft. $45.99
- Brightech Ambience Pro LED Outdoor Weatherproof Commercial Grade Lights with Hanging Sockets 48 Ft string w/bulbs. $54.99hooks
- Zip Ties
The Globe Light Suspension Kit, Galvanized Steel Cable I used features:
- Galvanized steel cable for hanging commercial grade string lights
- 110 feet long 1/16 inch in diameter
- Comes with one attached snap hook and one loose cable end and a Gripple Fastener clip
- Cable can be trimmed to any desired length
- Weather resistant Working load limit of 100 lbs.
The cable is 110 feet in length and 1/16 of an inch in diameter. With an attached snap hook and a loose clip that allows you to feed the cable through one side of the clip, loop it around posts and other fixed objects.
Its a perfect solution for large open areas, and to prevent sagging string lights.
**update 3 Summers Later**
Hey guys, just popping in to update this post. We originally put our lights up in April 2018. Its now February 2021, and they are still doing great. We did not take them down over the two winters theyve been through. We did not even take the lightbulbs out.
It was a bit of a gamble, but they have lived through numerous terrible thunderstorms, snow storms, and even some hail. Like I said before, they are pretty shielded under our deck, so that probably helps. It was a bit nerve-wracking when we turned them on after the first winter, but not even one bulb had burnt out. I still have the spares in the garage just in case.
Were so excited to get outside and use our little yard again! Here are a few pics of our back patio over the last few years, including with the string lights on and off. We did take them down last summer so I could pressure wash the beams under the deck, and that made a huge difference. No issues after they were back up, and the stain looks great!
If you are sprucing up your backyard for spring and summer, you might like some of the other DIYs we have in this space: DIY concrete paver outdoor coffee table and matching side table, HVAC unit screen, chunky modern outdoor dining table build, and our finished tiny backyard.
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How Do You Hang Outdoor String Lights Without Nails
- As per above, using screw eye hooks is perfect for hanging lights to make them hold up to outdoor elements.
I hope I’ve answered your questions so you can get started with your lights!
You guys should have seen our west-facing . We went from avoiding it completely, to being outside any chance we get!
It’s the perfect time to give your home a little curb appeal! Get ideas for front yard landscaping as well as what to avoid with your landscaping project!
What projects are you working on currently? I’d love to hear about them!
How To Install String Lights On Your Patio
Make those warm summer evenings on the patio with friends even cozier with the right lighting. String lights can make your apartment balcony or patio dreamy, but do you know how to hang up outdoor string lights without damaging the walls?
It can be challenging! Before you start, youll need to do a little research. These are the methods you need to know when hanging up string lighting on your apartment balcony or patio.
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Best Ways To Hang Outdoor String Lights
Backyards in many homes are brightened up by hanging string lights. Outdoor string lights can be hung temporarily during events such as weddings or permanently to enhance the backyard patio. Regardless of the events, there are numerous ideas on how to hang the string lights to create that cozy ambiance that will have you enjoy your nights.
String lights bring out an inviting and soft glow in your backyard or the entire homestead. When properly fixed, they will transform your backyard into an attractive spot, where you can host friends and cheer up as you enjoy your night.
Some backyards have trees and other objects while others lack a backyard. Therefore, before you decide on the best way to hand your outdoor string lights, you should take time to assess your backyard.
Outdoor street lights should be able to withstand harsh temperatures, wind, and rain. Therefore, the quality of the lights and the hanging style are crucial.
However, to achieve that inviting illumination in your backyard, you need to hang the lights in the right way to achieve the best illumination pattern. Therefore, you should learn the best ways to hang the outdoor string lights in your homestead.
That said, here are the best ways to hang your outdoor string lights to beautify and brighten up the space.
Bring A Soft Inviting Glow To Your Backyard Porch Or Patio By Installing Cafe
- Outdoor extension cord
- Tape measure
- Ladder
For string lights strung over a large expanse:
- String light suspension kit
- Wire cutters
For yards without trees or other tall supports:
- 10-foot-long wooden posts or 10-foot-long metal poles
- Hammer
- Nails or screws
- Sturdy planters or weighted buckets filled with concrete and a PVC pipe slot in center
- 18-inch-long metal rebar stakes
- Cable ties
Before You Start1. Choose where to hang your outdoor lights. 2. Measure for length and roughly choose your light configuration. 3. Purchase the cords and lights, and gather all materials.How to Hang String Lights1. Identify where mounting support is needed. 2. Install mounting hardware or use a string light suspension kit or both.
- Hanging without a wire: To hang the patio lights without a wire, screw a cup hook into the wall, fence, pergola or tree trunk to use as mounting.
- Hanging with a wire: If youre using a wire, you can purchase a wire hanging kit that comes with a cable wire and suspension hardware . Install according to the instructions included with the kit.
3. Hang patio lights. How to Hang String Lights in a Backyard Without TreesAlong a wood fence. On a deck or concrete patio.Posts attached to a rooftop railing provide height and support for outdoor globe lights. On a lawn. How to Hang String Lights on a Covered PatioTell us:
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Calculate How Many String Lights Needed
Make sure you buy enough boxes of string lights to cover your space so you dont have to run back out to the store in the middle of your project !
The total path that I measured back in Step 2 ended up being 678-in. long, or 56.6-ft., rounded up to 57-ft. Each box of string lights contained 10-ft. of lights, so I got six boxes for a total of 60-ft.
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.
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Tip : Plan Your Layout In Advance
Sketch it out. Then bounce your idea off of someone else. I had a plan in mind, explained it to Mike, and he quickly squashed it. Always defensive when he dislikes my ideas, I demanded a better idea. And he delivered.
Hanging the lights is a process and involves getting up on a ladder and drilling holes, so dont make yourself do it twice! If you map out your plan, you can also decide how much length you need on your lights. Keep in might the slack youll want to have to drape them.
I ordered a few strands not knowing exactly how much wed need, and then I had to go through the hassle of returning one of the packages. It wasnt that bad through Amazon, but it could have been avoided had we planned better before ordering.
Things To Keep In Mind When Installing String Lights
1) Many people staple their string lights. While this can work, it also has a higher chance of doing damage to your wire and house, which is why we dont recommend it as an install technique.
2) String light wire is flexible so using appropriate hook hardware and wrapping the wire around the hook is a good way to secure the line. For good measure, we also recommend a zip tie to hold the wrapped wire in place.
3) Cable or wire clamps can also be used and are similarly simple. We placed two of these near Rhodas back door so she would have more flexibility with her plug lead.
4.) While we dont recommend that people cut products if they dont have to, sometimes it is needed because everyones space needs are different and many outdoor rated options exist to cover any wire exposures.
5.) Outdoor rated electrical tape that seals, heat shrink wrap, liquid tape or outdoor rated wire connectors are all potential options, but each one depends on someones DIY comfort level.
6.) For those that want string lights hard wired to their house or want additional hardware options or covers included with their hanging points they can certainly do that but it typically also increases the overall project spend and time.
7.) String lights with removable bulbs offer the most flexibility. People that like decorating with colors or themes can swap bulbs out at will, which is another reason these have become so popular.
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Decide How You Will Hang Your Outdoor String Lights
There are six popular ways to hang your outdoor string lights. The easiest methods are probably parallel and V-shaped, pictured below.
- 1) Parallel
- Gazebos or pergolas
- Pavilions
For softer wood like your porch, fences, or deck posts, you may want to use wall anchors to secure the hooks in place. Wall anchors are not mandatory, but if you can anchor your lights into a solid piece of wood like a stud, that will provide fantastic support for a long time.
You dont need to add additional anchors of any kind for trees.
Choose A Staple Brand Of Lights That Are In Stock All Year
I have tried pretty much all big brand lights out there but I now only buy my outdoor lights from Home Depot because they keep them in stock all year . If you buy off brand string lighting, you will run the risk of the lights not being available for replacement bulbs or if you want to add more strings over time. I also buy two extra boxes for replacement bulbs because at $12.00 a box, its cheaper for me to just buy more string lights than buy replacement bulbs.
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Coaxial Staples Work Best
Coaxial staples are the best things to use if you are securing lights to wood like the side of your home or trees.
As you can see above, the cord is secured by the staple opening.
You can buy Coaxial staples at Home Depot, Lowes, etc.. in various sizes. Just check the size of your string light cord to get the right size.
How To Hang A Privacy Screen
Next up I will share how we hung our Privacy Screens. I bought two of white privacy screens online and they are showing not available anymore. I did find another option HERE that you could spray paint if the color doesnt work for you. They are light weight and flexible. .
- Trim Head Screws
- You will need a special drill bit for the trim head screws
- Garden Stakes
- Long Screws
Kevin didnt want me to show the below picture! ha! Because he needs to cut the screws that are sticking out in the back . But at least you can see how we attached it to the deck railing.
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What Is The Best Way To Hang Outdoor String Lights
The best way to hang outdoor string lights depends on where you are hanging them. If you have trees, its easy to hang lights. Just drill a hole into a tree, install a cup hook, wrap the light around it and secure it with a zip tie. Or you can thread them through the branches and not anchor them. But, make sure you are close enough to a power outlet. You can also hang string lights from porch or deck posts, your home, fences, gazebos, pergolas, or pavilions.
When hanging heavy lights or hundreds of feet of string lights, thread them through a guide wire for extra support. You can also install wall anchors before the hooks for extra support.
Ways To String Lights In Your Backyard:
- String lights along your fence.
- Hang strings of lights from poles placed on the corners of your deck.
- Run lights along your deck railing.
- Hang lights back and forth along the inside your deck pergola or gazebo.
- String lights in backyard trees.
- String lights from a tree to your deck space, so your yard is lit up.
- Hang lights on your patio umbrella.
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How To Protect Outdoor String Lights
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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
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