What’s more romantic than the soft glow of lights twinkling overhead while dining alfresco—wine in your glass, a savory meal, and the warmth of friends gathered around a table?
Give your outdoor space a special ambiance by adding strings of lights to your exterior decor.
Think your space is too small? Think again. The beauty of outdoor lighting is that it can be attached anywhere.
Apartment balcony railings are perfect for winding lights around for extra glow.
Drape the strings over tree limbs in your front or backyard or suspend the lights on hooks affixed to your home’s exterior.
Attach lights to your home by adding eye hooks to your porch’s overhang and threading your light cord through. You can also try stapling lighting to the underside of a deck or porch ceiling with a heavy-duty staple gun.
If you have a pergola, you can wrap lighting around it, or train a string of patio lights up a pair of trellises.
For a unique look, you could even suspend a metal hoop (or spray-painted hula hoop) from the ceiling of your outdoor living area and wrap lights around it for a DIY-style chandelier. If you like the look of the chandeliers we featured below, check out The Project Table (bottom-left photo) and Sarah with an H (bottom-right) to learn how to make your own!
In years past, outdoor lighting meant gaudy Christmas lights, a thick plastic rope of lighting, or flimsy retro Tiki lanterns. Today, though, the options are limitless, elegant, and allow you to create your own oasis right in your garden.
Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite string lights for patio decorating.
Country Chic
Galvanized metal string lights add a bit of rustic farmhouse charm to your outdoor living area. Metal hoods shield the 5-watt candelabra bulbs from rain and snow while evoking a unique brand of pure country charm.
Pastel Lights
Pastel string lights shimmer in soft pinks, oranges, and whites, casting a gentle glow that creates a warm and inviting atmosphere. Their subtle illumination enhances the evening ambiance with a touch of elegance and coziness, making any outdoor space feel more magical.
Fairy Lights
Copper wire studded with small dots of LED bulbs adds subtle lighting and atmosphere to a garden party. The easily bendable wire can be used to weave the lights among the trees. The warm, twinkling fairy lights are perfect for winter and designed to withstand snowy weather.
Scenes From an Italian Cafe
Thomas Edison was onto something when he invented the lightbulb. We love the eponymous Edison bulbs, which showcase the delicate filament within. While the bulbs don’t last as long as other string light bulbs, you can’t put a price on the unique aesthetic they create.
Colorful Stars
These lights have a string of LEDs inside colorful plastic stars. They add a whimsical and charming ambiance to outdoor occasions, making the environment more inviting and festive.
White Lights
Commercial string lights are heavy-duty and designed to withstand just about any weather. Lights featuring white sockets and globe-style bulbs are a perfect complement to any outdoor setting, whether you’re creating a dining space or adding them to the underside of your deck.
Go ahead, purchase a strand or two, and light up the night with string lights.
Additional images: Balcony Lights | Drape Lights | Suspend Lights | Lights suspended from home | Outdoor Pergola
