• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partner with Taryn

Taryn Whiteaker Designs

DIY and Interior Blog

  • Our Dallas Home Tour
  • Shop My Pics
  • Home Styling
    • Room Reveals
      • Our Current Home
      • Our First Home
    • Seasonal Home Tours
  • DIY Projects
    • DIY Home Decor
    • Crafts & Sewing
    • Before and Afters
    • Before and Afters
    • Furniture Builds and Makeovers
  • Seasonal Decor
    • Christmas
    • Easter
    • Fall
    • Fourth of July
    • Halloween
    • Spring
    • Valentine’s Day
  • Printables
  • Entertaining
    • Parties
    • Tablescapes
  • Fashion
  • Travel

March 30, 2018

How to Hang String Lights in Backyard

Disclosure: This post is in partnership with True Value. 

UPDATE: I HAVE SINCE TRIED A NEW WAY TO HANG STRING LIGHTS THAT WORKS EVEN BETTER! YOU CAN SEE THE NEW LIGHT TUTORIAL HERE!

One of the things I’ve dreamt about since we moved into this home is to host a big outdoor party with twinkle lights, a pretty table and a home full of friends and family. Last weekend that dream came true as we hosted my grandparent’s 70th wedding anniversary party! It was such a special celebration and it was really fun putting it on with all the other women in my family. In preparation for the party, we put up twinkle lights in our backyard. Today, I’m going to give you some Tips for How to Hang String Lights in Backyard and also what NOT to do. We definitely had a few learning moments!

How to Hang String Lights in Backyard
How to Hang String Lights in backyard! Create this magical look for your next summer party and learn from my mistakes!

Tips for installing outdoor lights

Backyard String Light Supplies:

  • 50ft Outdoor Twinkle Lights
  • Post Digger
  • Quickrete
  • 18″ PVC Pipes
  • 10ft Metal Poles*
  • Power Drill
  • Metal Hooks
  • Post Toppers
  • Elmer’s ProBond Advanced Glue
  • Black Outdoor Spray Paint 
  • 3 Prong Extension Cord 

* We used hollow aluminum poles and I don’t recommend them. We thought they would absorb wind better than PVC Pipe, but instead they just snap in half when too much pressure is put on them (we learned the hard way). We’ve now decided to replace all the poles with actual metal poles. It will cost more but they will last longer in the future.

PVC Pipes for ground

I started by cutting the 2 1/2″ PVC Pipe down to 18″ pieces. We figured 18″ below ground would be a pretty good base.

Installing Outdoor Lights

The next bit of prep work was spray painting the poles and toppers. Instead of just having plain metal poles sticking out in our backyard, I wanted to add a decorative topper to really finish them off. These hexagon fence post toppers were the perfect solution.

Installing Outdoor Lights tutorial

I gave both the poles and the toppers a coat of Black Rust Protector Spray Paint. Whatever spray paint you buy you want to make sure it works on metal. Before you dig your post holes, you want to plan and measure and measure and measure. There are several different ways we could have hung the lights. We went back and forth on a couple of different looks but ended up doing three posts that all connect to a high point on the back of the house (scroll for pic). They create a little bit of a waterfall effect.

I can’t stress enough, measure, measure, measure. We marked where we thought all the posts should go, then held the lights up and had to remeasure. It can be a little tricky when hanging lights on a slope.

You will want to dig an 18″ hole and then place a PVC Pipe into it. Just make sure it goes below the grass line. We installed our posts this way with the intention that we could insert metal poles into the PVC pipe and then take them out (and the lights down) during the winter months. We also wanted to be able to ride our lawn mower over the post holes.

Cementing polls in

Then, we put the main poles in and poured Quickrete into the hole. We used a level to help guide the pole around and make sure it was straight up and down.

Light post with hook and decorative piece

I used my power drill to make two holes at the top of the poles, about 2 1/2″ down. Then inserted a screw hook with a nut. To secure the wood topper to the metal pole I used Elmer’s ProBond Advanced. It’s my favorite glue to use because it secures wood and metal together.

Installing Outdoor lights in open yard

Then, we strung the lights! Our poles did arch a bit due to the pressure on them. This is one of the reasons why we will eventually switch them out.

Back of house

And here is how they connected to the back of our house. We used a 3 prong extension cord to connect the lights. Now that we know how good the lights look in our back yard, I’d love to have an actual outlet installed up there!

Tips for installing outdoor lights in your backyard! Create a magical summer evening by stringing lights for your guests to sit under.

The lights were the perfect addition to the party and I can’t wait to have more events back here! More details on the party coming soon.

Get tips for hanging string lights in your backyard! Get this look in your own yard by following these tips.

Image Source: Initial Photography 


I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

OTHER OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES YOU MIGHT LIKE

  • DIY Tented Sandbox
  • Outdoor Summer Table
  • DIY Hanging Backyard Lights 
  • DIY Outdoor Picnic Table

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

SaveSave

About Taryn Whiteaker

Hi! I’m Taryn! The voice behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. I launched this brand over 11 years ago when I became a stay-at-home mom. What started as a small craft and mom blog eventually grew into a full time design and DIY site. My goal has always been to inspire others (especially women!) with design ideas, DIY tutorials, entertaining ideas and give you the tools you need to complete them yourself!

You May Also Like:

  • Modern English Country Backyard-32
    Modern English Country Backyard
  • football, watch party, backyard, diy, back porch, patio party, football party, football game, entertaining
    Backyard Football Watch Party
  • Yardzen
    Modern Pacific Northwest Backyard Design
  • IMG_5875
    Black & White Backyard Pool Accessories

Filed Under: ALL POSTS, DIY Home Decor, DIY Projects, Our Current Home, Our Home Projects, Sponsored

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda says

    April 20, 2018 at 12:10 am

    Great work! I am impressed with your work and got some great ideas to hang string lights in the backyard. Thanks for sharing the wonderful article.

    Reply
  2. Jeff says

    November 3, 2019 at 2:24 am

    Taryn,

    Do you remember what the diameter of the poles you used were?

    Reply
  3. GregW says

    February 4, 2021 at 11:00 am

    Make sure to take the poles down if there’s a storm on the way! ZAP!!!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Looking For Something?

CONNECT

Meet Taryn

Taryn Whiteaker

Hi and welcome! I'm Taryn and the voice of style behind Taryn Whiteaker Designs. Sharing our journey of modernizing our European style home in Dallas. Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to subscribe to my mailing list to get all the latest updates! Read more...

Footer

THIS SITE

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • Partner with Taryn

Privacy Policy

If you are interested in learning more about data that might be collected by this site you are encouraged to read the Privacy Policy

COPYRIGHT POLICY

All images on this site are copyright of Design, Dining and Diapers, LLC. Unless otherwise noted. You may not use these images without written permission. If you would like to feature a project shown on Design, Dining and Diapers you may use a maximum of 2 images and include a visible link back to the project.

More From The Gram

tarynwhiteaker_designs

Taryn Whiteaker Designs
Current snap shot of our main family room! We will Current snap shot of our main family room! We will be starting phase 1 in here later this year and I wanted to capture it as it stands now. Almost everything in here was either brought from our Washington home 3 years ago or bought second hand! Piece by piece this room has become a cozy space for our family over the last 3 years. The new stairs are staying and will work into the new design, I love them so much. 

#neutral #neutralhomeedit #homedecorating #homedesign #cozyhome #interiorideas #interiordesign #neutraldecorstyles #neutralhomedecor #dallashome
Part 1 reveal of my tween son’s bold sports bedr Part 1 reveal of my tween son’s bold sports bedroom!  It took an awhile to get the perfect purple for this look, you can swipe to see my initial fail. It was tricky. But I’m glad we kept going because the look is everything we envisioned and exactly what my son wanted. I still have lots more to do in here, it’s not even close to being finished. But I’m sure loving the dramatic before and after so far. Linking all sources. 

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/5dqhy #ltkhome #ltkfamily #ltkkids #boysbedroom #boysroom #kidsbedroom #kidsroom #potterybarnteen #lovemypbteen #football #sportsroom
I’ve been looking for the perfect accent chairs I’ve been looking for the perfect accent chairs for our family room for years! Any time we have guests over, or our whole family wants to hang out together, it always feels like we could use a few more seats to spread out and get comfy. I have had my eye on these gorgeous Vail accent chairs from @denvermodern and they didn’t disappoint. The leather is soft and high quality, they are wide and comfortable and the brass accents are chef’s kiss. They are perfection. 

Comment CHAIR and and I’ll send you the link!

#ad #denvermodern #homedecor #accentchairs #homedecor #neutraldecor
Learn something new every project! This was the be Learn something new every project! This was the best solution to this problem, framing over the bullnose corners to create an updated look and making it a straight edge to end the paneling. If you have an exposed open way like this, save it! 

#homedecor #diy #diyhomedecor #homestyle #homedesign #homedecor #remodel #dallasblogger #diyprojects
Comment SHOP and I’ll send you a link with all o Comment SHOP and I’ll send you a link with all of last month’s top neutral home sellers. 

#neutralhomedecor #neutralhomeedit #homestyle #homedetails #diy #homeimprovement #homedecorideas #neutralhome #dallasblogger #neutraldecor #diyhomedecor
Didn’t think it would take me two months to get Didn’t think it would take me two months to get past Phase 1 but here we are! My son’s room is officially prepped for paint with new reeded paneling, trim work and freshly smooth walls. Next week we PAINT! So stay tune for more. 

Comment Paneling and I’ll send you the link. 

#diy #diyersofinstagram #diyprojects #homerenovation #homedesign #homedetails #homerenovationideas #bedroomideas
Art doesn’t have to break the bank! I’m sharin Art doesn’t have to break the bank! I’m sharing my favorite places to look for affordable art and my top modern and vintage art finds. If you search hard enough, you can find pieces that still look high end on a budget. 

Comment ART and I’ll send you all the links and my cheat sheet. 

#artwork #affordablehomedecor #homestyle #homedetails #homeaccessories #artcollection #ltkhomedecor #amazonfinds #amazonhome #minted
Comment SHOP for the latest top Amazon finds! The Comment SHOP for the latest top Amazon finds! The weighted vest trend is one of my favs and the glow in the dark Easter eggs are a must for older kids! 

#amazonfinds #amazonhomefinds #easterideas #diy #diyhomedecor #latestfinds
Comment LINKS for all the top home sellers from la Comment LINKS for all the top home sellers from last month! 

#neutralhome #diyhomedecor #homedecor #dallasblogger #neutraldecor #homedesign #diyprojects #diyprojects #neutralstyle
Follow on Instagram

Copyright© 2025 · Brunch Pro Theme by Shay Bocks · Hosting by 3116 Digital