Patio string light designs

28 Backyard Lighting Ideas - How to Hang Outdoor String Lights

Brooklyn Limestone

Summer 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 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.

Lavin Label

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

SUGAR MAPLE notes

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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.

SHOP PLANTERS

LivvyLand

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Home Stories A to Z

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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.

SHOP JARS

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Try Rope Lighting

Use rope lighting to cast a soft glow around your backyard.

SHOP ROPE LIGHTS

Ashley Brooke Designs

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Ella Claire

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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.

SHOP OUTDOOR DINING SETS

Jenna Sue Design Co

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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.

SHOP FIRE PITS

City Farmhouse

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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.

SHOP PRIVACY FENCES

Arrows + Bow

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Add Shine To Your Stock Tank Pool

Hang string lights above your stock tank pool to create the perfect backyard oasis.

See more at Arrows + Bow.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Root + Dwell

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Maison de Pax

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Zevy Joy

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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.

SHOP HANGING FIXTURE

Robb Restyle

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Inspired by Charm

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Bless'er House

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

David Tsay

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Outdoor Patio String Lights

Cafe-style lights make this bucolic California backyard feel like the charming French countryside.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Little White House Blog/Remodelaholic

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String Around a Pergola

Outdoor string lights are the finishing touch on this amazing DIY pergola and fire pit setup.

See more here.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Courtesy of Dust And Doghair

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Brooklyn Limestone

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

ByStephanieLynn.com

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In the Trees

Is there anything more soothing than a hammock gently swinging under string lights? This easy-to-pull-off setup is guaranteed to be your favorite spot to relax.

Get the tutorial at By Stephanie Lynn.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Max Kim-Bee

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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.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

Courtesy of Kojo Designs

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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.

SHOP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Courtesy of All Things Heart and Home

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Make Your Own Chandelier

Grapevine balls, white lights, twine, and a branch turn into an easy-to-make, rustic chandelier you can hang from a porch or patio.

Get the tutorial at All Things Heart and Home.

SHOP STRING LIGHT GLOBES

Yard Envy

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Go Overboard

If you're planning to go all out for a special summer party, opt for a more extravagant look by hanging dozens of lights on a patio or porch's ceiling.

SHOP CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Terrain

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Stargazer Chandelier

This Terrain favorite combines a rustic moss wreath with cascading lights, creating an instantly romantic ambience.

See more at Terrain.

SHOP STRING LIGHT CHANDELIER

Courtesy of I Should Be Mopping the Floor

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DIY "Texas Lamp Post"

A term made up by blogger Kristi, "Texas Lamp Posts" can create the feeling of an outdoor room, especially when vintage lights are added.

See more at I Should Be Mopping the Floor.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

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Light Up Your Fence

By simply adding a string of lights to your fence, you create a glowing border that will make your backyard feel like even more of a haven.

SHOP STRING LIGHTS

40 String Light Ideas for Your Backyard

Summer is a time for coaxing magic out of the otherwise mundane, and indulging in a bit of whimsical ambiance.

With those long, balmy evenings and the emergence of friends eager to open a bottle under the stars, the outdoor patio is no doubt your likely destination.

And what better way to bestow that aforementioned magic than patio lighting fit for an endless summer of splendor?

For all their simplicity and relatively budget-friendly accessibility, string lights are the designer’s go-to, if not the #1 mainstay in their style arsenal. These subtle stringed embellishments can transform any space in an instant, casting a spell of irresistible allure from their heavenly perch.

Best of all, there is every kind of imaginable style of string light, from bobbing Chinese lanterns to Edison bulbs; lantern or caged globe, simple or unabashedly decadent, the lights you string above your patio represent your summer soul. This is a man who knows how to entertain, as well as bask in the solitary glow of his star-strung constellations.

Longer days and warmer nights call for a certain kind of free-spirited calm. Summer is when the rhythm of the world slows down, and delights in the joys winter so cruelly deprives us of.

A dazzling display of these top 40 best patio string light ideas drop the firefly curtain down on your own Midsummer Night’s Dream, a veil that won’t soon be lifted until the first winds of an autumn blow–and perhaps not even then.

1. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Under Pergolas

You’ve constructed this beautiful pergola to provide you with shade and comfort while enjoying your patio or backyard during the summer. But the party doesn’t have to stop when the sun goes down. Your pergola provides you with the perfect structure for hanging string lights. This will double your use and enjoyment of your covered patio space. 

Start by deciding where you want to hang your lights. If your pergola is a separate structure from your home, then you could string lights from the pergola to your roof. This will illuminate the patio or yard between the two structures. That way, you won’t have to stumble through the dark to get from one to the other. 

You can also string them from the pergola to illuminate the space it covers. You could go for a minimal look by only having a few strands that follow the main beams of your pergola. Or you could string them around the outside edge for an all-over glow. If you love light, don’t be afraid to string them all over the place and crisscross your strings of lights. 

The number of strings and bulbs you use will depend on the brightness of the bulbs and how much light you want to create.

2. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Around Fire Pits

Fire pits are a great yard feature to gather around with friends or share a romantic moment with your loved one. There’s just one problem: A fire pit doesn’t create a lot of light. The only area illuminated is the space directly around the fire pit. You’ll need to sit very near the fire pit to be illuminated. This can leave you and your company sitting in the dark.  

Hanging string lights around the fire pit area can provide the additional lighting you need to make the space functional. This will allow you to enjoy the fire pit without having to sit on top of it. You can also use the string lights to define the space so that you have a room effect. 

To hang your string lights, you’ll need to place poles around the perimeter of your fire pit area. You can either use a post hole digger to drop them directly into the ground, or you can use large planters to bury the poles with concrete. You need to use substantially sized posts so that they won’t tip or lean. They also need to be tall enough that you can walk under the string lights once they’re hung. 

String the lights from post to post to create a perimeter of soft glowing light. You could also crisscross them across the fire pit area. Be careful with this; you don’t want the heat from your firepit to melt the lights above.

3. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Porches

If your porch has a solid roof, then it probably already has some form of lighting installed. The problem is this light doesn’t illuminate your entire porch. Or maybe it creates a harsh bright light. Give yourself another option with string lights. 

String your lights back and forth across the shorter width of your porch. Make several rows until you’ve covered the length of the porch. You can do them throughout the entire porch roof to illuminate the entire space. You could only do a portion where you plan to hang out at night. 

If your porch is narrow enough, you only have to attach them on the sides. This will give your light a droop effect. If you prefer them to be straight, you’ll need to secure them throughout the length of the light string. This will keep all of the bulbs tight against the underside of your roof. 

If your porch roof is vaulted, then you may need to use support cabling. Mount the metal cables first, and then string the lights to the cables. You’ll do this at the base of the roof to create a false ceiling with the lights while retaining the vaulted ceiling above them for enjoyment during the day.

4. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Yards and Open Spaces

You have a big open yard that’s perfect for spending time in. Maybe you have a fire pit in one area, a table in another, a sitting area, and even a swing set. All of these features are useless once the sun sets if there’s no light in your backyard. Hang string lights and bring all of these areas together under one cohesive set of string lights. 

If you have a privacy fence around your yard, you have the perfect setup for string lights. String them from your roof to the top of the fence. Do this several times and create a canopy of soft light. You could balance the light by adding more strings over high trafficked areas and fewer strings over less utilized space. 

If your fence isn’t tall enough or if it’s too far away, then use posts. You can have them installed directly into the ground to give them stability. You’ll want to place them in strategic areas to give your lights the most support and the most freedom in how you string your lights. Most people choose to place them along the perimeter or have one centralized post.

5. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Dining Spaces

No one wants to eat in the dark. There’s something especially unpleasant and unnerving about not being able to see the food on your plate. Especially when you’re eating outside. String lights can eliminate this problem and make your outdoor dining area more inviting. 

More is better when illuminating your cooking or dining area. This means buying string lights with more bulbs and hanging more strings than you would in other spaces. You can then supplement your string lights with other more decorative accent lighting, such as candles, lanterns, or smaller sets of string lights. 

If you choose to hang your string lights over the dining space, make sure you cover the entire dining area. You don’t want some guests eating in full light while others struggle in the shadows. 

If your dining area is near a fence or wall, you can hang several rows of lighting on it instead. Just be sure to hang it high enough that it isn’t in someone’s face and that the light can carry over the entire table.

6. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Lounging Areas

Your lounge area is the space where you’ve set out a few comfy chairs or couches. This is the area where you’ll sit back with a few drinks and relax with family and friends. You want the lighting to reflect this, so you need enough to see, but not as much as your dining area. Depending on the size of the space and brightness of the bulbs, you could get away with two or three strings throughout the area. 

To go for maximum effect with your string lights, aim for a diagonal pattern where you start in one corner, string them out to a centralized point on the opposite side, and then back to the other corner. This should create a triangle shape. 

String these lights high up so people can comfortably walk under them. The height will also provide maximum travel distance for the light. This way, you illuminate more with less.

7. Patio String Lighting Ideas for Around the Pool and Spa

A dark pool or spa area is unsafe. Whether you plan to use your pool at night or not, string lights can illuminate the area and make it a safer place. You only need enough light to see where you’re going, so a few strings placed high over the area should do the trick. 

Get creative in how you hang your lights. You could create several rows, crisscross them, create a perimeter, or have several strings radiating out from a single point to create a fan effect. Make sure you hang them high enough over your pool that they won’t get splashed. You should always use waterproof string lights that are suited for use outdoors. However, your pool water contains chemicals, so if your string lights get routinely splashed, those chemicals can corrode your string lights.

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