Outdoor String Lights
About Outdoor String Lights
String Lights That Turn a Patio Into a Room
Nothing changes the feel of a backyard faster than a canopy of string lights. Draped over a patio, run along a fence or hung from a pergola, they create a ceiling where there is none and make an ordinary evening feel like an occasion. Our range goes beyond the classic globe strand: flexible rope tube lights, copper wire fairy strands, hemp rope and vintage camping styles, star curtain lights for windows, icicle strands for eaves, cascading meteor shower lights for trees, and seasonal sets for the holidays. Most strands come singly or in multiples, so a large pergola can be covered in one order.
Choosing Your Strand
- Power: Solar strands need no outlet at all, battery and USB rechargeable versions go anywhere, and plug in or hardwired sets give the steadiest glow. One of our globe sets offers all four options.
- Length: Measure the full run, then add enough to reach the power source and allow for a gentle sag between anchor points.
- Light color: Warm white suits dining and conversation; RGB and multicolor strands are fun for parties and holiday decorating.
- Safe connections: Plug in strands should connect to a GFCI protected outdoor outlet, and every connection should stay off the ground and out of standing water.
Placement tip: For a patio canopy, run the strand in a zigzag between the house and a pair of posts, letting each span dip about a foot in the middle. The drape looks relaxed and puts less strain on the hooks.
Our guide to hanging patio string lights covers anchors and guide wire. For smaller decorative strands, browse fairy and string lights.
Common Questions About Outdoor String Lights
Many people leave them up, and it works best when the strand is supported by a guide wire and the plug is protected from rain. Take them down if your area sees heavy ice or snow loads. Check the strand each spring for damaged sockets or cable.
Sketch the pattern first and measure each leg, then add a little extra for sag and for the run to the outlet. A zigzag uses much more strand than a single straight run, so it is worth doing the math before you order.
They do, but with shorter run times because days are shorter and the sun sits lower. Face the panel south where possible and keep it clear of snow.
