Create a relaxing and tranquil environment in your outdoor living spaces with these incredible backyard string light ideas. Depending on where you live, these lights can be left up and enjoyed for at least three seasons. There are plenty of ways that you can DIY these string lights in your backyard without having to hire a professional for assistance.
When it comes to outdoor ambiance, patio lights are the easiest way to create a focal point with a subtle glow. Discover how a simple string of lights can be a great addition to your small patio or big backyard for dinner parties or cozy gatherings on summer nights. From weaving through tree branches, to lighting up your fire pit area, these easy backyard lighting ideas will brighten your favorite outdoor space.
Transform your backyard into an oasis with the help of string lights. Discover the endless possibilities of using globe lights, solar string lights, or glass jars to create your own cozy and relaxing outdoor space.
Have a look below for some fantastic ideas to help get you started. Below each image is further details and sources. Don’t forget to let us know in the comments which one of these backyard string light ideas most inspired you and why!
1. A contemporary backyard patio for a couple of empty-nesters in Denver allows for this outdoor oasis to relax and enjoy the comforts of home. Sets of string lights provide a fantastic ambiance when the sun goes down. (via Designscapes Colorado Inc.)
2. This modern farmhouse style home in Los Angeles features a spacious deck illuminated by fairy lights. (via Bobby Berk)
3. A traditional porch in Raleigh, North Carolina provides a cozy respite with a stone-clad fireplace and elegant furnishings. A covered roof shields inhabitants from the elements while creating the ultimate spot to hang strands of string lights for a magical atmosphere. (via June DeLugas Interiors)
4. An intimate backyard features a BBQ island with an integrated grill, sink, and an expansive concrete countertop. The fireplace and BBQ stone is a veneer stone — Sanibel Coastal Reef from El Dorado Stone. Vintage string lights from above create the perfect ambiance. The lights are the Brightech Ambience Pro – Waterproof Outdoor String Lights – 48 Ft Vintage Bistro Lights. (via Promised Path Landscaping Inc)
5. A contemporary vineyard estate features this farmhouse style patio with a gravel groundcover. Lights are strung crisscrossed from wooden posts overtop of the outdoor living spaces. (via Westwind Construction)
6. In San Francisco, a backyard patio with a pergola is illuminated by white paper lantern lights mixed with simple string lights. The paper lantern lights can be found on Amazon and Etsy. (via Imprints Landscape Architecture)
7. An awning provides shade cover over the backyard dining table. You can find the shade sail at Target, Wayfair, Home Depot, Amazon, etc. String lights follow the lines of the fabric shade, providing ambiance. On the ground, the pea stone is from Sunburst Decorative Rock, Inc. The pavers are installed on the base. (via Flores Artscape)
8. This trendy rooftop deck showcases sweeping views over the city of Portland. Kitchen, dining and living zones offer everything one could need for entertaining in style. String lights are suspended over this outdoor playground from wooden posts. This is a fantastic idea that can be copied in any backyard, sourcing wood from a lumberyard or local hardware store. (via Shelsi Lindquist Photography)
9. We love this DIY idea that anyone can copy to bring the magic of string lights to your property. All the materials sourced can be found at your local hardware store. The estimated cost for this project is $100, taking a day to complete. 4×4 posts are cemented into large barrels. After the cement is dry, put in soil and plant flowers. Drill holes at the top of each post and add a C-hook to hang the string lights. Use zip ties to secure the lights, which accent the perimeter of your outdoor space. Crisscross if desired. Full details at the provided link. (DIY Network)
10. A pergola shelters this perfect outdoor dining space, with a beautiful ivy covering. A tangling of lights hangs from the pergola, giving the effect of fireflies. See the rest of this home here: Dreamy home surrounded by nature in the Spanish countryside. (via El Mueble)
11. An arbor with string lights illuminate this backyard garden full of delicious vegetables — cucumber, zucchini (front right bed) and yellow squash, and onion (back right bed). The beds are made from treated timber. The ground cover is a 3/8″ crushed granite with dimensional cut Watermark buff flagstone. There is a 4″ galvanized green roll-top steel edger that holds the gravel in. The pavers are 16″ x 24″ and about 2″ thick. (via Watermark Landscapes)
12. A midcentury patio in Santa Barbara is illuminated by fairy lights sourced from PartyLights.com. These are attached to a stainless steel cable – the model is “Medium Base String Light”, the bulbs are 11S14’s. The outdoor furnishings are from CB2. Spark Fires sells similar gas burner fire pits. (via Native Son Design Studio)
13. A parlor level home in New York features this backyard oasis with a private garden surrounded by a lush canopy, ideal for grilling and relaxing. (via Hudson Place Realty)
14. A tropical patio in San Diego has an outdoor bar sheltered by a roof composed of Gavalume galvanized aluminum — 12’ wide x 16’ long. The barstools are commercial grade outdoor seating made by Florida Seating. The flooring is Saltillo tile. String lights are suspended from the roof of the home and underneath the roof of the bar for a party-like ambiance. (via Distinguished Pools)
15. “Spanish Hanging Baskets” add colorful blooms to this beautiful Mediterranean style backyard patio. The Arthur Lauer rocking chairs have Sunbrella “Navy” cushions trimmed in Sunbrella “Spa”. On the floor, McNear red wire cut bricks in a herringbone pattern. The house color is White Blush 904 | Benjamin Moore (low luster). The lights are a commercial grade patio string lights sourced from Sival. There are two light strings that are strung between a tree and the house. The hardware on the tree is a large O hook screwed into the tree with a carabiner hooked to it. The ends terminate on a smaller o hook screwed to the house. (via Casa Smith Designs)
16. Detroit Garden Works manufactures these light rings, which are made of steel. The steel has a small lip on each side. This creates a channel that keeps the light bulbs facing out and the cords in place. Jute is used to disguise the light cord. You could DIY this same look by repurposing hula hoops and spray paint them black. Wrap light strings around the hoops and hang from your trellis or covered patio. (via Deborah Silver)
17. A DIY fire pit and seating area provide a magical and relaxing backyard ambiance using string lights. Wood posts are set in large barrels filled with concrete for support. Hooks in the wood posts are used to string the lights, while solar lighting illuminates the pathway. Citronella torches help to keep the mosquitoes at bay. (via Instructables)
18. Upcycle mason jars as hanging pendant lights suspended from an overhead trellis for a magical ambiance. (via Style Me Pretty)
19. This simple DIY will help you to hang string lights around your backyard deck. The poles are made up of three 10 foot pieces of electrical conduit with pipe straps attached as hooks. The poles are secured to the ground by burying pieces of plastic piping large enough to fit conduit inside. The poles are used to support the string lights with a cost of just $30. Get the full tutorial at the provided link. (via Bright July)
20. This DIY Patio area features Texas lamp posts set in wooden barrels. Vintage string lights are strung from each post while hanging baskets filled with colorful blooms add to the overall ambiance. Get the full tutorial at the provided link. (via I Should Be Mopping The Floor)
21. A salvaged farmhouse ladder chandelier adorned with vintage Edison bulbs provides a unique touch to an outdoor dining area. Get the DIY tutorial at the provided link. (via ID Lights)
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