There’s no better way to light up the night and set the right mood for your party or relaxed evening in than with outdoor string lights. Typically used only during the holidays in years gone by, these twinkling lights have now become popular to use at all times of the year.
Their soft, ambient lighting provides the perfect amount of illumination for decorating patios and backyards as it isn’t harsh or intrusive. Reminiscent of the stars at night, string lights bring a sense of romance and fun wherever they’re placed.
With a wide variety of styles and types to choose from, buyers are no longer limited to plain Christmas lights, although these are still very popular. Strings usually range from 10’-25,’ can be operated by battery, electricity or solar power, and have bulbs of varying sizes from tiny to rather large.
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Take a look at our top picks for outdoor string lighting in the areas of deluxe, fairy lights, solar powered, globe, novelty and paper lanterns.
Please then read on for a mini buying guide to help ensure you buy the right lights for your garden as well as do’s and don’ts for setting them up and a few pointers for caring for your new lights to make your investment last longer.
Top Picks
Deluxe – European Cafe Style
These upscale outdoor light strings offer a 35’ length of cord with 7 weatherproof sockets covered by 7 galvanized shades. Suitable for indoor and outdoor use, these heavy duty string lights are well made to last a long time. They take large or small watt bulbs to achieve the look you desire and can be spray painted if required to match any existing color schemes. The elegant look of this set of string lighting makes them the perfect addition to any outdoor area, including decks, overhangs and gazebos. They are well worth the investment.
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100 LED Fairy Lights
Priced more economically these cool white fairy lights bring to mind a garden party. Their long-lasting LED bulbs eliminate short circuits and the hassle of having to change burned out bulbs too often. These environmentally friendly, reusable lights actually save money, thanks to their reliability and minimal power consumption. Each 30’ 100 light strand has its own digital controller that allows you to choose from eight distinct lighting patterns. Their only downside is that you cannot chain them to other sets. No longer just for Christmas, these lights brighten up any gathering or even any wedding, camping trip, kitchen, attic … and the list goes on.
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100 LED Solar String Lights
Ideal for decorating bushes, umbrellas and doorways, this 35’ length of 100 solar powered outdoor string lights require no power outlet and hence no dangerous extension cords and cost nothing in energy bills. They are powered by solar panels that allow the lights to be placed in shady areas. In fact they can be placed anywhere, you are no longer limited to only lighting areas close to a power source. They automatically turn on and illuminate the night for up to eight hours when fully charged. These outdoor string party lights are a great addition to any backyard.
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Globe String Lights
The Aurora Glow Glass Solar String Lights are six handcrafted, hand blown glass globes equipped with LED lights on a 25’ string. These exceptionally beautiful outdoor globe string lights are easy to install around a tree or deck railing, or as an accent woven underneath an umbrella. Solar powered and equipped with a photo light sensor, the lights turn themselves on at twilight and go off at dawn. These enchanting lights are available in purple, clear, sea glass or amber and come with copper hanging hooks. Each globe is just under 3’ wide and should be spaced 22’ apart on the string. The solar panel can be staked into the ground or attached to a fence post up to 15’ away.
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Novelty – Butterfly String Lights
If you’re looking for something a bit more unusual, this 10’ string of fiber optic butterflies may be just the ticket. There are 10 colorfully glowing butterflies in shades of yellow, peach, pink and lavender. They light up your garden, a room or a window with unusual fiber optics and are reminiscent of a fairy garden. The light they give out is not huge, but they are perfect for soft or mood lighting. You will need an extension cord to get them from a power outlet to where you want them but their one-of-a-kind look makes it all worth it.
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Paper Lantern String Lights
Lastly, to set a true party tone, these multicolor outdoor lantern string lights are a very inexpensive way to decorate. They are traditional Japanese Shoji hanging lanterns crafted from rice paper and steel wire in beautiful shades of pink, yellow, orange, purple, green and blue. The perfect way to add a festive glow to any celebration, this 10’ strand set includes 10 paper lanterns which are 3.5’ in diameter. These are not really suitable for the outdoors so make sure you pack them up and take them in when you call it a night.
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Outdoor Lighting String Lights Buying Guide
Here are a few things to consider before purchasing your new outdoor string of lights:
Bulb size – this covers the physical size of the bulb as well as the wattage. If the bulb size is too small it will get lost in the look of your backyard and the opposite could be true of large lantern style lights. You also need to think about how bright you want each light on the string to be and buy lights and bulbs accordingly.
Length of string – how far from a power source do you want your lights to be’ Obviously this is not an issue if you are using solar lights. You also need to think about how long a stretch you want the lights to cover. Some strings can be joined end to end to extend the area that can be covered so look out for this if this would be useful to you.
Power source – battery or solar powered strings are ideal as you do not need to have access to a power socket in this case.
Type of bulb – LED bulbs are better than incandescent as they are more efficient and safer.
Weatherproof – make sure any string lights that you plan to leave outside for periods of time are weatherproof.
Color of bulb – white is the most common but it may be worth mixing white lights with some colored ones for a more fun effect.
Do’s and Don’ts When Setting Up Your Lights
- Do hang them appropriately and safely. Tie them with twine and avoid sharp nails or staples.
- Do keep them out of the reach of children and pets.
- Do not place them in locations where they will blind guests when they are sitting down.
- Do not place them where they will shine into neighbors backyards.
Caring For Your Lights
Outdoor decorative string lights will last longer if you take proper care of them. Here are a few tips:
- Clean them regularly.
- Bring them inside during the winter months or rainy season.
- Keep them in a sunny place so they will dry out from any rain.
- Make sure they are fastened down in a non-windy place.
Get Your Outdoor String Light Now …
Generally, outdoor lighting options are created to make your patio or garden standout even when night falls. Perfect for barbecues, picnics, parties or simple get-togethers, string lights can make any event more memorable. When used well, outdoor string bulb lights can transform your patio, garden or any other place in your house from nice to fantastic. A few strategically placed lights in the right places works more wonders than you can imagine.