String Lights Are the Key to a Charming Backyard (2024)

FAQs

What is the purpose of string lights? ›

String lights can highlight not just a grassy area but also a patio, deck, pool etc. They can also help elevate the architectural design of your house to the next level. Highlighting features of your home can really make it stand out to guests and feel very warm and welcoming.

It turns out, string lights are a lot like backyard bonfires, a cozy fireplace or our favorite scented candles. These little points of decorative warmth just make us feel good. According to WebMD, some of the benefits of decorating with lights include: Making us feel more connected to others.

Use a Big Tree as a Base

This setup proves you don't need much to light up your backyard. Simply drape string lights from a big tree to the roof of your house and watch your backyard shine.

Outdoor string lighting from Outdoor Lighting Perspectives®, also known as bistro or café lighting, sets the stage for relaxed backyard enjoyment.

String lights have the unique ability to bathe your outdoor space in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere and glow, and they serve as a decorative addition to your décor no matter the season.

ENERGY STAR certified decorative light strings consume 75% less energy than conventional incandescent lights strands.

Unlike traditional floodlights or spotlights, string lights emit a soft, warm glow that creates a more intimate and inviting atmosphere. They can be easily customized to fit any space and used creatively to transform your patio into a cozy retreat.

1. Lights can boost your well-being. Natural daylight controls our body's sleep-wake cycle, and during the day it stimulates our brains to produce serotonin, a 'happy hormone' which regulates our mood and sleep patterns - which is why a bright sunny day helps us feel positive and energised.

Lighting helps us to feel more energetic and lifts our mood. It is a known fact that lighting has a direct impact on our brain and our hormone balance via the retina in our eyes. The happiness neurotransmitter serotonin isn't released to the same extent if we don't receive enough light.

Simply buy string lights that are 2 to 6 feet longer than your linear measurement to create the swag of your choice. It's always better to have more string length than you need because you can always shorten it by doubling it up on the ends.

How do you position outdoor string lights? ›

To hang string and rope lights, you'll want to use outdoor decorating clips that are suitable for string lights to hang them between a series of fixed points. Decorating clips can be stuck onto wooden and uPVC surfaces, such as door frames, gutters and fascias.

Fairy Lights are not considered as much as a lighting application rather than a decoration element, since they are not very bright (compared to the String Lights). However, they are a very flexible decorative lighting solution since they can be installed relatively easily almost everywhere.

Outside lights could pose a fire hazard if you string them up on the family tree because they're often hotter, while the indoor lights probably wouldn't survive the snow storm. To be safe, you can purchase lights that are certified for indoor and outdoor usage.

Incandescent bulbs are appropriate for outdoor use as long as they are protected from direct contact with water, but it's advisable to use string lights that are designed for 'all-weather' conditions. Incandescent bulbs are not energy efficient compared to LED bulbs.

Fire Safety Precautions for Outdoor String Lights

Outdoor lights should not be left on for prolonged periods of time or overnight. Even LED lights can overheat and cause a fire if exposed to dry leaves or flammable substances.

Christmas trees displayed publicly and illuminated with electric lights became popular in the early 20th century. By the mid-20th century, it became customary to display strings of electric lights along streets and on buildings; Christmas decorations detached from the Christmas tree itself.

Strip lights are better for areas that feature hard, flat surfaces. You should also consider how often you like to change up specific areas. Rope lights are great for a more temporary look, because they can easily be unplugged and rearranged.