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Looking for backyard lighting ideas? Learn how to hang outdoor string lights on a deck for relaxing summer nights. Hang deck lights easily with this simple guide using only a few materials.
We’ve been using our outdoor space so much more this summer now that we can spend our evenings out here, even when the sun sets and it gets dark. Thanks to these pretty new string lights overhead, we’ve created a really beautiful ambience and glow on our deck that keeps up out here every night!
Notice the wooden stake on the top right hand side of our deck? That’s a string light pole, essential for hanging deck string lights. If you lack an existing structure like a covered patio to suspend lights from, this easy DIY project is perfect for you!
In just 30 minutes, with the help of a simple string lights setup, you can have those back patio lights beautifully draped over your deck, too.
- Furring strips ( 1-in x 2-in x 8-ft )
– stained or painted to match deck - Cup Hooks
- Exterior Wood Screws
- Electric Screwdriver
- Level
- Outdoor String Lights
How To Build a String Light Pole on a Deck
Time needed: 1 hour
Simple tutorial to attach a string light pole to a raised deck
- Determine how many poles you will need
The first step is determining the placement and amount of poles you need. We used two – one on each of the farthest corners of the back deck. This way we could attach hooks to the house and to the poles and swag the strands of string lights back and forth. Consider the location of any deck railing.
- Paint or stain the wood poles to match the deck
It’s a good idea to allow it to fully dry. (read about what we painted our deck with here)
- Attach poles to the deck
Using wood screws, attach each pole to the back of the deck. We used two screws from Home Depot for each post to ensure they were stable. Make sure you check for level as you are screwing them in.
- Add Hooks
For best results, screw a hook on to the top of each pole as well as to the side of the house where the string lights will start and end.
- Attach String Lights
Simply hang the beginning of the outdoor lighting set from the first hook and drape across to the next hook, then the next hook and so on. We had a few feet of lights left when we reached the last hook and just let it trail down the side of the house. Depending on the weight of the lights, you may need more or less hooks.
Note: Depending on where your nearest power outlet is you may need to get a little creative with plugging in your lights.
Our power source is way over next to our bulkhead, which is about 15 feet away from the deck. We plugged an outdoor extension cord in, tacked it under the siding and ran it all the way over the deck and up side to meet the lights.
You can see the outdoor extension cord (in the photo grid above) where it meets the black string of lights.
RELATED: How To Clean Patio Cushions
Our deck is not huge, so instead of swagging the lights back and forth, we chose to simply create a perimeter of lights around the deck.
If you wanted to get the swag effect, the best way to do this is to simply attach more hooks to the house and a center pole (or more) attached to the deck.
Here’s a quick video from my phone so you can get a better idea of how pretty and glowy the outdoor lights are when it’s completely dark out (this was taken at 10pm!).
How To Hang String Lights if You Only Have a Patio
The same ideas will apply! Instead of attaching the wood poles to a deck, I would suggest putting the light poles into a planter and perhaps filling it with a small amount of cement (maybe 1/4 of the way) to really weigh it down or grabbing some ready-made poles in planters if you can find them.
Then fill the rest of the planter with some soil and succulents to make it pretty. This really is the best option if you don’t have natural supports or deck posts.
Use command hooks to simply drape the light strings across the side of your house, like we did!
See how easy it is to hang a strand of lights on a deck? We really love the effect these string lights have created on our outdoor living spaces and we’ve been spending so much more time outside enjoying our deck while the weather is still nice!
P.S. Don’t forget to check out the full summer deck reveal!
Hang String Lights on Your Deck
Savor a quiet summer evening under a canopy of glowing string lights that you put up yourself!
Materials
- Furring strips ( 1-in x 2-in x 8-ft ) - stained or painted to match deck
- Cup hooks
- Exterior wood screws
- Outdoor string lights
Tools
- Electric Screwdriver
- Level
Instructions
- Determine how many poles you will need. We used two - one on each of the farthest corners of the deck. This way we could attach hooks to the house and to the poles and swag the lights back and forth.
- Paint or stain the wood poles to match the deck. Allow to dry.
- Attach poles to the deck. Using wood screws, attach each pole to the back of the deck. We used two screws for each post to ensure they were stable. Make sure you check for level as you are screwing them in.
- Add hooks. Screw a hook on to the top of each pole as well as to the side of the house where the string lights will start and end.
- Attach string lights. Hang the beginning of the light set from the first hook and drape across to the next hook, then the next hook and so on. We had a few feet of lights left when we reached the last hook and just let it trail down the side of the house.
Notes
If you have a patio and not a deck, the same steps will work! Instead of attaching the wood poles to a deck, I would suggest putting them into a planter and perhaps filling it with a small amount of cement (maybe 1/4 of the way) to really weigh it down. Then, fill the rest of the planter with some soil and succulents to make it pretty. You can also use command hooks to drape them across the side of your house, like we did!
I’m so glad I found this! You guys dealt with the same kind of railing I have. The deck railing extends over the spindle. How did you attach the bottom screw? Did you just slant it?
Thanks
I was wondering the same thing! I’m trying to decide if I need to cut a notch in the top rail or add another thin piece of wood to make the wood pole sit flush. Jenna, what did you do?
We didn’t have to do that for whatever reason. But I would just shim it out with another piece of wood to make it flush. I wouldn’t start making notches as that will weaken it.
What size is your deck? I’m planning on buying a sectional but i’m not sure how big should it be. I have a 10×10 deck.
Thank you! Beautiful space
BG
Please advise the brand of rug or where purchased. Thanks, Ann
Hi Ann, it’s from rugsusa.com
Beautiful! What kind of tree is that in the corner?
It’s a fiddle leaf fig (faux!)
How does the faux plant do outside?! I kill all of our real plants so I was thinking of getting fake ones for the back deck but didn’t know if they’d just fall apart!
This one is not UV rated so I don’t think it would last very long. I just added it for the photo – it usually lives inside! :-)
Love the patio dining set! Where’s it from?
Hi Lauren! It was from Pier1 but no longer sold, sorry!
Where is the sectional couch from? Gorgeous space!
Hi Holly! It’s from Pier 1
I’m considering getting some decorative lighting for my patio, and as string lights are at the top of my consideration list, I appreciate your tips on how to implement them into my deck. Picking out posts to hang them from, of course, is important, and coordinating their placement with the nearest outlet definitely takes some creativity, I agree. However, I like your use of hooks on the posts, and I find some posts that I can screw into my deck like that, I’ll definitely give that a shot.