Patio String Light Ideas for a Summer-Ready Backyard

Getting ready to enjoy summer in your garden? Us too, we can’t wait to get out there! When the sun goes down, but the air is still warm, you can continue to enjoy your garden long into the evening if you have the right lighting – and one way to light up your garden is with string lights.

 

Types of string lights

There are two main types of string lights – fairy lights, which are the strings of tiny, twinkly lights – and festoon lights, which are their larger counterparts.

 

Fairy lights

Traditionally used at Christmas time to symbolise candle lights, fairy lights have now become commonplace for decorative effect throughout the home. They’re low cost, with strings costing just a few pounds. They can be used to create a cosy effect, or can evoke a happy, celebratory feel when used for events.

In addition to being low cost for the initial outlay, fairy lights now also use energy efficient LEDs, making them inexpensive to run, whether powered by mains electricity, or battery. Solar power is an option too, which means they can be used far from the nearest power source.

 

 

Festoon lights

Festoon lights are similar to fairy lights, except they have much bigger bulbs fitted to them. They’re sometimes referred to as café lights and party lights, and they are widely used outdoors. Traditional festoon lighting was made from glass, and took a lot of energy to power them, so they were expensive options, but today’s solutions can use super-efficient LEDs – and they can be free to run too, since they can run on solar power.

 

 

Rope lights

While fairy lights and festoons are the most popular, similar effects can be sought with rope lights. In outdoor settings, rope lights tend to be used where lights need to be a little more robust – so, if they’re wrapped around a tree trunk, and boisterous children might be playing.

 

 

Technology

When it comes to string lighting, there are three ways that lights can be powered – from the mains electricity, from batteries, and by solar power. You’ll also need to ensure that your lights are waterproof (particularly if you’re in the UK!) so that your lights aren’t accidentally ruined by an unexpected overnight rain shower.

 

Mains

If you’ve got mains power available on your patio, then mains powered string lighting is a convenient solution, and can provide more light. They tend to have a higher safety rating than IP44, and often require bulbs to be bought separately – particularly for festoon lighting. However, this gives more flexibility, since you can create the effect, you want. You want green, or pink festoons? As long as you can find the bulbs, no problem!

 

Battery powered

Battery powered options are great if you’re not leaving your lights in place for long. Obviously the downside of battery powered versions is that the batteries need replacing periodically, but since LED technology is super-efficient, batteries do tend to last a while before running out – they’ll certainly last a party weekend, in most cases.

 

 

Solar

Solar powered string lights have a panel that collects the sun’s energy through the daytime to be stored in a battery, and then when the daylight fades, an element of the panel then triggers the lights to come on. While solar powered items used to not be as effective as their battery powered counterparts, the technology has improved significantly. As long as the solar panel is exposed to some daylight, you’ll get a comparable experience to mains or battery powered versions – just more convenient, since you won’t need find fresh batteries, or the nearest plug socket.

 

IP44

When you’re buying string lighting for outdoor use, you’ll need to ensure that that they’re waterproof – the Great British summer doesn’t tend to be without a certain amount of rain! While you could buy IP43 to guard against light rain or sprayed water, the majority of our outdoor lights are IP44 rated, so they’re protected from solid objects with a diameter or thickness greater than 1mm, and (unless they’re damaged) they’ll stand up to summer showers.

 

Using string lighting on a patio

The possibilities for using string lighting on your patio and throughout your garden are limited only by your imagination – we’ve shared some of our favourite looks here.

 

Al fresco dining areas

Although there might be some concept restaurants where eating in the dark is part of the experience, most of us prefer to be able to see what is on the table in front of us! Adding string lighting is a great way to help you enjoy lazy dinners on balmy summer evenings without drinks getting knocked over and so on. The beauty of string lights is that no matter how big your space is, there are options available. For tiny gardens or courtyards, fairy lights are perfect to light up dining spaces, while in bigger gardens that incorporate outdoor cooking spaces like pizza ovens and barbecues, strings of festoon lighting will be more appropriate.

When you’re lighting up a dining space, be sure to buy enough to light up the entire space – whether you’re hanging directly above the dining area, or around the perimeter. Our range of festoons has options from just seven bulbs, up to 100, with lengths of up to 100 metres.

 

 

Around pergolas

Pergolas and gazebos are the ideal place to put string lighting. Whether you choose to hang festoons from corner to corner, to wrap them around the structure, or you drape nets of fairy lights across the top, they look fantastic and allow the space to be used throughout the summer. This Garden 24V Warm White LED Net Light is a great option.

 

 

Around fire pits

Fire pits are becoming more popular in gardens across the UK, allowing for outdoor spaces to be used on chillier evenings. There’s something really lovely about having a fire to sit around while you’re having a drink with friends, or to snuggle up with loved ones next to. The problem with that is, a fire doesn’t give off a huge amount of light – so if there’s a group of you, conversation can be tricky since some end up in the dark. Hanging string lights around the fire pit means that everyone can be seen.

We recommend hanging string lights around the edge of your fire pit space, to avoid damage to your lights, and the potential accidents that may occur.

 

Along the length of the garden

If you’ve got a garden that warrants showing off the whole space into the evening, then strings of festoon lights are a great way to do that. You might hang them from corner to corner, along fences and walls to mark out the perimeter, or to section off areas – it is up to you.

 

 

Above your pond, hot tub, or pool

Where there is water in a garden, there is the potential for accidents – and string lights are the perfect way to light up the area and avoid accidental slips, trips, and falls. Not only do they keep your family and visitors safe, but the reflection of the lights off the water can create a pretty magical effect! Whether you decide to use strings of fairy lights, or you opt for festoons, think safety first. Be sure that you buy waterproof lights, so that if they happen to get splashed, there won’t be a risk. Also, bear in mind if there are chemicals in the water, there may be a risk of corrosion, so hang them high enough if they’re likely to be splashed.

 

Create a cosy area

If you’re lucky enough to have an area where you and your guests can lounge – whether that’s on garden sofas, benches, on cushions or in a hammock – then string lighting is a perfect option to light up those relaxed summer evenings.

How you will be using the area will impact what type of string lighting is best. If it is a small area that is likely to be mostly just yourself, then just a few fairy lights may be enough – whereas if your area is a bit bigger, then having more lighting for entertaining is likely to be better.

 

Using fairy lights on a patio

If you’ve got additional fairy lights around that you want to use on your patio, the possibilities are quite literally endless. We’ve listed a few of our favourite ideas here, but if these aren’t for you then we highly recommend heading to Pinterest for more fairy light ideas.

 

Add to jars or bottles

A super easy and effective way to use fairy lights on a budget is to add them to oversized jars, or decorative wine or spirit bottles. If you’ve already for the lights (and you’ve used the contents of the jar or bottle!) then this costs absolutely nothing, and they can be dotted around your patio area wherever you see fit. Feeling creative, or want to make it seasonal? Add sea shells or flowers at the start of the summer, and pine cones, or leaves towards the end of the summer.

 

 

Create a photo wall

If you’re having a celebration – a birthday party perhaps – then making photo wall with your fairy lights is a quick and easy way to create a talking point. Simply hang your lights in the shape you want them – in lines, or in a heart or star shape perhaps – and then use paper clips or pegs to attach photos.

 

Wrap around trees and bushes

If you’ve got trees and bushes around your patio area, then use your fairy lights to turn them into a lighting feature –they can make your garden glow beautifully. Whether you wrap strings of lights around tree trunks, or weave them in and out of foliage, there is plenty of scope to use fairy lights this way, with the beauty of it being that there is no right or wrong way to do it.

 

Photo opportunities

When you’re getting friends together – especially ones you haven’t seen in a while – there’s nothing better than capturing the occasion on camera. Fairy lights are great for creating fantastic photos, and with children in particular they can create magical images. Get creative!

 

 

LED candles

We mentioned the different categories of lighting before, and while we love the look of candles alongside fairy lights at night, there’s absolutely no doubt that they pose a fire risk. That’s not great if there are children or pets around – or – let’s face it – adults who have enjoyed a long evening together with a few drinks! However, with LED candles, you can get the ambience without any of the risk. These Jan battery operated LED white wax candles are battery operated, and have a timer so you can have the flicker of candlelight for up to 6 hours without needing to remember to turn them off.

 

 

String lights FAQs

We get quite a lot of questions about string lights, so we’re going to address the most common ones here.

 

How much lighting do I need in my garden?

Lighting and interior design experts suggest that there should be a range of lighting solutions in a room, and the same can definitely be said for in gardens and on patios too. Having at least one of each type from ambient lighting, accent lighting and task lighting available means that you can use the space in a number of ways through the evening.

However, in outdoor settings, there is some overlap on the types of light that can provide the different categories of lighting. String lights can be used for all three types of lighting, depending on how it is implemented.

 

What are the best type of string lights?

There isn’t a correct answer to this question, since there are so many different types and so many different uses. You’ll need to consider how big the space is that you’re using – the bigger the space, the bigger the lighting you’ll need, and so larger festoons are more appropriate. If your patio is tiny, then just a few fairy lights may be enough.

 

 

How should I hang string lights?

The answer to this question very much depends on the weight of the string lights, what material you are attaching the lights to, and whether the area is exposed to the elements.

Attaching to wood is relatively simple – you can use netting staples, which are found in hardware stores. If you’re attaching to brick, then you’ll need a drill to put holes in, before you can add wall plugs and add hooks.

For temporary fixes, such as in rental properties or where the lights are only going to be up for a short amount of time, then cable ties are a great solution – if not the best

 

Can I get string lights that aren’t yellow toned?

Absolutely. We have a range of cool white LED fairy lights, as well as pink and purple options, or strings of multicoloured fairy lights. When it comes to festoon lights, with bigger bulbs, there are amber options (which may be a little warmer toned than you’d prefer if you’re asking this question) as well as cool white styles and multi coloured bulbs. You can always buy strings of festoons and purchase bulbs separately, to get the exact look you want.

 

Do I need to get permission for string lights?

If you’re the home owner, then usually, you won’t need to get permission – unless you’re in a private road where restrictions apply, of course. But if you want to stay on good terms with your neighbours, then hang your string lights considerately – don’t hang them where they are going to shine directly in windows. If they’re going to light up part of their gardens, or patio, then it may be worth letting them know ahead of fitting them, so that you can avoid any potential conflict.

If you’re in a rental property, and you’re going to attach your string lights to garden fixtures that belong to your landlord, then you may need to get permission.

 

How can I stop fairy lights looking too Christmassy?

We do agree, there are some types of fairy lights – and certain uses, such as being wrapped around trees – that do look like they’ve been pulled straight out of the decorations box. And when you’re having a party, or a celebratory event, then that type of festive feel is exactly what you’re after. But for normal summer evenings, choosing cool white lights, rather than multi coloured ones can avoid the festive feel. If plain white isn’t quite the shade, then you might consider fairy lights in pastel shades.

 

Should my fairy lights be waterproof?

If you’re going to be leaving your fairy lights outside, then we recommend choosing lights that are IP44 rated. These will stand up to rain showers, and you won’t need to worry about bringing them in at the end of a great evening.

 

What if I order the wrong size or type?

If you’re ordering from us, that’s absolutely no problem – we want you to have the perfect size and style for your patio. Our returns policy is available here.

 

You can shop our full range of outdoor lighting here.