How to Properly Install Outdoor String Lights: A Step-by-Step Weekend DIY Guide

Nick and I wanted to share a quick and fun weekend project—because you know we live for those—this time all about how to properly install outdoor string lights. These little bulbs of magic have become a backyard essential for good reason. Whether you’re hosting a backyard bash, enjoying a summer night swim, or winding down with a glass of wine, string lights can totally transform the atmosphere. They’re cozy, inviting, and make even the most ordinary backyard feel like an outdoor café.

But here’s the thing—despite their popularity, so many people install string lights the wrong way, and we say that with love because… we’ve been there. The first time we ever hung string lights (in our early 20s, just starting our DIY journey), they looked amazing—until they didn’t. Within a few months, they sagged, shorted out, and turned into a tangled mess. Lesson learned.

Now that we’ve gotten the hang of it (pun fully intended), we wanted to walk you through how to install outdoor string lights the right way—with equal parts function and flair. If you’re planning to tackle this for your own backyard or patio, this guide will help you do it right the first time.

Why We Love String Lights (And Why You Will Too)

Before diving into tools and techniques, let’s talk about why this project is worth your weekend.

String lights aren’t just cute—they’re mood makers. They instantly elevate a space without a big renovation budget. You don’t need a whole backyard makeover when a few strands of well-placed lights can make your patio feel like a resort.

Here’s what we love most about them:

• They add ambiance and a soft glow without blinding anyone.

• They make small outdoor spaces feel cozy and enclosed.

• They offer functional lighting for outdoor dining and entertaining.

• They’re a great way to highlight zones like a fire pit, play area, or garden path.

• They’re budget-friendly and relatively easy to install with the right prep.

Step 1: Plan and Design Your Layout

 Power Source

First things first: How are you powering your lights?

We opted for solar-powered string lights because we didn’t want to mess with a bunch of extension cords or rely on wall outlets. Plus, they’re energy efficient and automatically turn on at dusk—super convenient. But if you’re going with plug-in string lights, locate your nearest GFCI (weatherproof) outlet, and determine if you’ll need a heavy-duty outdoor extension cord.

Pro Tip: If your lights aren’t solar and your outlet is far from the hanging area, factor in cord length and cable routing early in your design process.

 Layout: Where Will the Lights Go?

Will your lights be strung across a patio cover, zig-zagged over an open yard, or framing a pergola or fence line? The layout sets the vibe:

• Zig-zag or café style: Perfect for patios and seating areas.

• Radiating spokes from a central point: Adds visual drama over round tables or fire pits.

• Outline and borders: Clean look for fences, pergolas, or decks.

• Crisscrossed overhead: Adds texture and fullness in large open spaces.

Sketch out your area, measure each run, and calculate how many feet of lights you’ll need. Most strands are 25-50 feet long, and many have a maximum number of strands that can be safely connected—check your label!

 Style and Bulb Type

The aesthetic options here are endless. Ask yourself:

• Bulb type: Classic globe? Edison vintage? Tiny fairy lights?

• Color: Warm white, cool white, or color-changing?

• Brightness: Some string lights are dimmable—ideal if you want flexibility.

We recommend going with commercial-grade string lights if you want something durable and weather-resistant. They cost a bit more, but they’ll last years (unlike our first set!). Also, consider LED bulbs, which last longer, stay cooler to the touch, and save on energy.

 Outdoor Rating

Check that your string lights are UL listed for outdoor use or clearly labeled as weather-resistant. Anything less won’t hold up to rain, snow, or strong sun, and trust us—you don’t want to be replacing your lights every six months.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials and Tools

Here’s a list of what you’ll likely need:

 Tools & Supplies

• Outdoor string lights

• Stainless steel cable guide wire

• Eye hooks or screw hooks (one for each anchor point)

• Zip ties or string light clips

• Wire rope clamps or aluminum sleeves

• Hammer & screwdriver or drill

• Weatherproof extension cord (if not solar)

• Outdoor-rated electrical tape

• Measuring tape

• Ladder

You can find many of these as part of a string light hanging kit on Amazon or at your local hardware store. We love those kits because they take the guesswork out of choosing compatible hardware.

Step 3: Install Your Anchor Points

Decide where your lights will begin and end. These points should be strong enough to support the tension of the cable wire and the weight of the lights.

Here are a few options for anchor points:

• House walls or eaves

• Wooden posts or beams

• Trees (be gentle and avoid damaging bark)

• Fence posts or deck railings

• DIY support poles (we’ve added more on that below!)

How to Install Eye Hooks

Use a measuring tape and pencil to mark where your hooks will go. Drill pilot holes if needed, then screw in the eye hooks perpendicular to the cable run. You’ll use these to loop and tighten your guide wire.

If going into a tree, you can use a hammer to gently tap the screw eye into the bark before twisting it in.

Step 4: Set Up the Support Wire

This step often gets skipped—but it’s what makes your lights stay tight, straight, and safe. The support wire (or cable guide) relieves tension from the electrical cord, preventing sagging and wear over time.

Installing the Guide Wire

1. Thread your wire through the eye hooks along your planned path.

2. Use wire clamps or sleeves to secure the wire around the hooks.

3. Pull it tight before locking the ends in place.

4. If needed, use a turnbuckle to adjust and tighten the tension later.

This cable wire will act as the support “track” for your lights, and trust me—it makes a big difference in the long-term look and longevity.

Step 5: Hang the String Lights

Before you go zip-tie crazy, lay out your lights on the ground to confirm spacing and make sure all your connections line up. This is your last chance to make adjustments before they’re up in the air.

Attaching Lights to the Wire

• Start at the power source end.

• Loop or clip the first bulb’s base to the guide wire.

• Use zip ties (or hooks from your kit) at each bulb to secure the lights to the guide wire.

• Continue connecting strands until your whole space is covered.

• Clip off excess zip tie plastic for a cleaner look.

If you’re using plug-in lights, make sure all connections are tightly sealed and weatherproof. Use electrical tape to protect plugs if exposed.

Optional: DIY Light Poles for Extra Anchoring

Don’t have trees or patio posts in the right places? Make your own sturdy supports using:

• 4×4 wooden posts set in concrete-filled planters or buckets

• Galvanized conduit poles

• Fence stakes with PVC sleeves for easy removability

You can even wrap your base in decorative planters to make it pretty!

Step 6: Power Up and Enjoy

If you’re using solar lights, you’re good to go! Just be sure the solar panel is placed somewhere it’ll get full sunlight during the day.

For electric lights:

• Plug into a GFCI outlet

• Use outdoor-rated extension cords

• Use a smart plug or timer switch to automate your lighting

Then flip the switch (or wait for the sun to go down) and bask in the glow of a project well done.

Bonus Tips for Long-Lasting Results

• Remove lights in winter if your area experiences heavy snow or ice.

• Clean bulbs periodically with a soft cloth to maintain brightness.

• Replace any damaged bulbs immediately to prevent shorts.

• For year-round magic, consider pairing string lights with outdoor lanterns or landscape lighting for layered ambiance.

Our Backyard Transformation

We’re so happy with how our string lights turned out. We’ve had lighting on the pool and patio side of our yard for a while, but the kids’ playhouse and ping pong table area always felt a little dark and forgotten. These lights brought that whole section to life!

Now we can play late-night ping pong, enjoy dinner outdoors, or just sit back and soak in the sparkle. And the best part? It only took a weekend and a few simple supplies.

Installing string lights isn’t just about hanging bulbs—it’s about creating moments. From a casual game night to a romantic dinner under the stars, the right lighting can set the mood and make memories.

And as you’ve probably gathered, the difference between droopy lights that fizzle out in a few months and a glowing, durable setup that lasts for years? It all comes down to the planning and install process.

So whether you’re lighting up a tiny balcony or a sprawling backyard, we hope this guide gave you the confidence to do it right.

And hey—if Nick and I could figure it out in our early DIY days (after more than one flop), so can you!