The Best Ways to Hang Your Backyard String Lights for the Dreamiest Patio
And our favorite picks for the best outdoor string lights.
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Spring is here, which means one thing: plenty of time spent on the patio. From backyard barbecues to morning coffee, the backyard is where we spend most of our spring and summer days, and there's no way to bring a little ambiance to the back porch than with some outdoor string lights.
You might be wondering: how do you hang backyard string lights? Turns out, there are tons of ways! We've covered just a few here, but feel free to get creative. We'd suggest going relatively high with your string lights—think 8+ feet. After all, you don't want the heat from the lights to beat down on your or your guests. Next question: what outdoor string lights are best for my backyard? Well, lucky for you, we've done the research. Depending on how you'd like to use your backyard string lights, you may want different types, and not all outdoor string lights are made the same. Click here for our review of the best of the best and keep reading for creative ideas on how to hang them.
Brighten Up Your Dining Area
Create the perfect outdoor dining space for summer dinner parties with a few strands of string lights. Scatter some lanterns on the table, too, in order to achieve an outdoor candlelight glow.
See more at Lavin Label.
Use A Potted Plant Base
Camouflage the wooden pole that holds up your string lights with a pretty potted plant. The heavy base of the planter helps keep things stable, while your flowers and greenery will add some eye candy to this set up.
See more at SUGAR MAPLE notes.
Lighten Up Your Living Space
Cozy up your backyard with comfy outdoor furniture and strands of string lights hanging from above. This just became your new favorite room in the house.
See more at LivvyLand.
Double up the Glow
Pairing simple string lights with illuminated jars makes for a breathtaking display. Who wouldn't want to pull up a seat at this outdoor dinner table?!
See more at Home Stories A to Z.
Use a Big Tree as a Base
This setup proves you don't need much to light up your backyard. Simply drape string lights from a big tree to the roof of your house and watch your backyard shine.
See more at Ashley Brooke Designs.
Gussy Up Your Garden Party
Host your next garden party in style. A few strands of string lights create a tent-like effect above this outdoor dining table setup that's perfect for spring.
See more at Ella Claire.
Keep The Fire Pit Aglow
We anticipate many summer nights spent around the fire. Make your backyard fire pit the ultimate hangout spot with Adirondack chairs, string lights, and s'mores.
See more at Jenna Sue Design Co.
Spruce Up Your Privacy Fence
Create a comfy backyard living space with a plush sofa and pillows, tons of potted plants, and a privacy fence made out of wooden pallets. String lights help change the fence from a boring backdrop to an inspiring installation.
See more at City Farmhouse.
Make Your Back Patio Glow
It's always a starry night when you hang string lights above your back patio. You'll want to wind down in this pleasant place every day of the week.
See more at Root + Dwell.
Keep It Casual
No need to go overboard with the lighting. Just a simple strand draped over the table will look effortless. Plus, it will let your beautiful tablescape take center stage.
See more at Maison de Pax.
Find a Focal Point
Letting your lights meet at a centered fixture will add symmetry to your space. You could use the pendant for more light or just a decoration.
See more at Zevy Joy.
Fall in Line
A streamlined strand will keep the area looking nice and clean. Then, you can decorate with all sorts of knick knacks.
See more at Robb Restyle.
Cut Some Corners
For a covered patio, the easiest way to secure the strands is simply attaching them to each corner of the roof. It makes hanging lights look uniform—not messy.
See more at Inspired by Charm.
Freestanding String Lights
Don't have an existing structure to hang outdoor string lights from? Cement poles to the bottom of planters anchored at each corner of your patio.
See more at Bless'er House.
Outdoor Patio String Lights
Cafe-style lights make this bucolic California backyard feel like the charming French countryside.
String Around a Pergola
Outdoor string lights are the finishing touch on this amazing DIY pergola and fire pit setup.
Make Your Garden Glow
Pachysandra, english ivy, and other dense, sturdy plants work best for adding lights to your garden landscape, according to this blogger, who used incandescent string lights to give her garden a lovely glow.
Get the tutorial at Dust And Doghair.
Above a Fire Pit
There's nothing better than sitting around a fire pit with friends and family, drinking, reminiscing, and making s'mores. Only string lights could make this moment even cozier.
See more at Brooklyn Limestone.
Above a Porch
String lights are an easy, affordable way to turn your porch into an enchanting oasis. Let them drape from the ceiling or a railing, or hang them from a wall.
On a Garden Pergola
Use three vintage ladders to construct this sweet, mini pergola, a perfect place to hang lights or use as a backdrop for photos.
Get the tutorial at Kojo Designs.
Hannah Jones is the Commerce Editor for Country Living. Her eye is always on the next up-and-coming products to include in gift guides and she's ready to test everything from dog beds to garden tools for product reviews. When she’s not scoping out the latest and greatest items on the market, you can find her hanging with her two rescue dogs.
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