The Beauty of String Lights
Overhead string lights are a dramatic addition to any space. Whether strung across trees to the roof, draped over a pergola or crisscrossed over a deck for bistro-style elegance, you can’t go wrong with string lights. A few well-placed strands of string lights can go a long way. You can even use string lights to dress up your landscape by draping them over dense, sturdy ground cover plants.
Whether you want a streamlined look or you’re going for all-out glam, string lights can help you achieve the look you want, and Julia and Chris from "Chris Loves Julia" share how they hung string lights in their backyard.
Preparing to Hang Your String Lights
Before you begin hanging your string lights, make sure you plan the location so that the lights are able to reach an outdoor outlet. It’s also a good idea to hang wire first. A sturdy wire will hold the weight of your lights and help keep them firmly in place, no matter the weather, making your outside lighting last a lot longer.
For their string lights installation, Chris and Julia installed bolts into the house and trees for an illuminated, organic feel. This method eliminated the need for setting supports in concrete.
When hanging string lights, use a ladder and have a buddy to help keep it steady. Avoid working near overhead utility lines. See our Ladder and Scaffolding Buying Guide for tips on using a ladder safely.
How to Hang Patio Lights, Deck Lights and More
Here are some basic instructions for how to hang outdoor string lights and easily adapt them for nearly any application, including hanging lights on a porch, stringing lights in the backyard, installing string lighting on a poll and more.
