Ideas for Decorating With Outdoor String Lights

Preface

Adding outdoor string lights enhances your outside space and allows more opportunities for use outside. String lights also provide an inviting and comfortable setting for your outdoor area, plus they can enhance the look and feel of your patio or backyard. There are many ways to decorate and light up your outdoor area using string lights.

Decorating In A Classic Way

Classic decorating style of lights would be to hang them in horizontal lines across your space. To do this, you will install them by attaching them horizontally from one end of a roof or Tuscan-style pergola to the other end. You may choose to hang them loosely for a more relaxed look, or you can pull tight for a more modern, structured look.

The classic hanging style works great in areas where you have an outdoor dining area, or lounge. If you have a smaller area close to your house that has a roofline, you may use small hooks on the roofline to secure your strings of lights. If you have larger areas, or alcoves, you could use poles for support to hold the lights across a large area. You can wrap the lights around vertical poles, as well as be decorative and create a cozy feeling in your seating areas.

To create a Canopy Effect with your Outdoor Lighting: Choose a central point in your outdoor area, such as your gazebo, tree, pole or pergola; Drip your string lights down from this point, then out towards the edges of your outdoor area, with the other end attached to poles, trees or other supports. You’ll have lots of light at once, and it will resemble a wedding canopy or wedding tent (which are often used in garden weddings), which may work well for special occasions.

Zigzag Pathway Lights

To give your string lights a dynamic look in your outdoor area, hang your lights in a zigzag pattern. That method works great for large areas, and it creates a visually interesting, layered light effect, pulling the viewer’s eye to it.

You could also use them along the pathways or the borders of your gardens. Having lights on the edges of your garden and along the walkways provides family and friends with a way to get around safely at night, while at the same time adding charm and function to your outdoor space.

Drape Your Fence and Use Curtain Lights

Outdoor string lights add a warm glow and define your space’s boundaries when hung along a fence line. By creating a welcoming atmosphere, you can complement your lights with additional decorative elements that reflect who you are (e.g., comfortable seating options, hanging plants).

Using String Lights on Your Fence

When draped over the fence, outdoor string lights serve to highlight your outdoor area as well as increase the overall security of your yard by providing illumination to darkened areas. This type of light combination adds an ambiance to your yard along with visual interest, making it feel more inviting and intentional.

Curtain Lights – How They Work

Curtain lights are typically made up of several strands of light hanging down vertically from top to bottom. Each strand is connected to each other, creating a wall of lights that appear as if it was created with curtains or drapery fabric. These types of lights are ideal for dividing up larger outdoor spaces into smaller, more intimate areas within your backyard or patio.

Additionally, they can serve as great focal points for wedding receptions, photography sessions, or holiday parties. By using curtain lights around seating areas and entertainment zones, you can create cozy, relaxing environments perfect for hosting guests or just enjoying time together.

Tree & Deck Lights

Adding a strand of outdoor lighting around the exterior of your home, such as tree branches and trunks, transforms the atmosphere of your landscape and brings out natural beauty. The lighting enhances the unique shape and texture of your trees, resulting in a three-dimensional effect and a feeling of depth and charm when the sun goes down. White lights will look beautiful and timeless, while colored bulbs will add fun to your space.

Using decorative string lights on your deck railing is also an option because it adds additional visual interest to the architectural characteristics of your deck and creates a more welcoming setting for gatherings.

If you are unsure where to get started, work with an outdoor string lighting installation company to evaluate your outdoor space, identify your lighting needs, and determine the best way to hang/decorate with string lights.