How to Hang Outdoor String Lights On a Deck (No Walls Needed!)

Hanging outdoor string lights on your deck can transform your space into a cozy and inviting space perfect for evening gatherings. We’ll show you step-by-step how to hang outdoor string lights even if you don’t have walls, using easy-to-find materials and simple techniques, so you can create a beautifully lit outdoor space that you’ll love all season long.

Looking for more gorgeous ideas for your porch, deck and patio? Check out our three season porch addition, tips on how to hang outdoor curtains, and stylish outdoor patio furniture & decor ideas!

There’s something about the glow of strings lights that can make even the most ordinary space feel magical. Doesn’t it make your heart skip a beat when you see them? Plus the glow is incredibly flattering, so I can’t be held responsible for what magic may happen when you install these outdoor patio and deck lights at home.

What? You don’t have enough walls to hang them outdoors? Pshhhh, no worries!

Here’s an EASY (duh, it’s me) and CHEAP (of course) way to hang string lights on your deck, patio, balcony, garden, backyard– really, ANYWHERE you’d like a little extra glow in minutes flat.

Does this make me the Queen of Cheap and Easy? So be it. Once you see how easy it is to add this magic to YOUR outdoor space you can call me whatever you’d like and I’ll go with it (great, can’t wait to see who finds this page by googling ‘cheap and easy’).

No joking, I feel like I’m on vacation every day. Is there a better feeling in the world? CHECK OUT THIS GLOW, the sun had already set but our deck looked like twilight:

I’m going to show you how to do this when you have a deck, but if you don’t have railings or even walls just stick these poles into a large, sturdy planter filled with large rocks or sink it in a form filled with concrete.

Materials Needed:

• Outdoor String Lights
• 8 ft 2×2 wood (we used the cheap ones, in hindsight I’d use pine as those were straighter)
• Heavy Duty Zip Ties or wood screws and drill
• cup hooks
• wood stain (optional)

STEP #1: First, screw a cup hook into one end of the 2X2.

STEP #2: Then, screw the pole into the railing. Use sturdy screws and you may need to drill a pilot hole first. We did two screws, one at the bottom of the railing and one at the top of the railing. You may need to use a shim to support the bottom screw if the edges of the railing are uneven, this will keep your pole straight.

NOTE: We used this technique in our new home which has a composite porch and deck so we didn’t use a screw here. Instead, we fastened it in two places by tightly anchoring with strong zip ties. Seven years later, the poles are still standing and have withstood hurricanes, tropical storms, and some pretty wild winds!

STEP #3: We used lightweight lights from Target. Take your lights out of the package CAREFULLY. We used these indoor/outdoor globe string lights (similar) but they are fragile! Thankfully the box came with perforations for removing the lights without unscrewing the bulbs.

Between installing these lights on this deck AND USING THE SAME SETS in our new build home, these sets have lasted over a decade. I’m amazed!

If you do have a wall to use, screw a cup hook into the wall where the light will originate. We used an outdoor extension cord from the outdoor plug and up the wall to save the lights for the ‘ceiling’ area. Plug the light set into the extension cord, and string it through the first wall hook and over to the pole. THIS IS A GOOD JOB FOR TWO PEOPLE IN CASE THE LIGHTS DROP. Ask me how I know. Grrrrr.

With that in mind, it’s super important to secure the lights well. We didn’t tie it tight, but we did make sure they were interlocked at each connection point as well as looped it around the cup hooks to keep it from sliding off.

STEP #4: Swag it back over to the wall, and kablam, MAGIC.

STEP #5: I painted the pole with the solid deck stain after it was in place. It’s much easier to paint it that way, and now it blends into our deck beautifully.

Pinch me. Is this seriously my home?  We’re out here every night that it’s not raining. The glow is unreal and we are spending more time outdoors than ever before.  Now we just need to have a party. A party under the stars and string lights. Who’s in?

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE DECK DIARIES SERIES:

• Part One: Deck Dreaming (Design Board and Plan)
• Part Two: Deck Staining 101
• Part Three: Vertical Herb Garden
• Part Four: Our Outdoor Living Room (DIY Deck Makeover Reveal)

SHOP THE POST

Do you have outdoor lights on your patio, porch or deck? For $35 TOTAL (plus the string light set we accidentally smashed, ahem) we feel as if we’re on vacation every night. I can’t believe we waited so long to do such an easy DIY project!

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