Indoor and Outdoor Lights Guide

Outdoor String Lights

Decorating with String Lights

As the name implies, outdoor string lights are designed to be used outdoors.  These decorative strings of lights are often placed around patios or screened in porches as a way to enhance a party's atmosphere.  Sometimes, when used for parties or celebrations such as weddings or graduations, they are strung in multiple rows resulting in a dazzling decorative effect.  A very nice feature of these lights is that they do not require any special outdoor lighting fixtures.


Outdoor string lights are not just strings of Christmas lights given a new name to sell in different seasons.  There is an amazing variety of styles and sizes available to suit just about any outdoor decorating need.  Where flood lights tend to make a very bold statement, string lights are a much more subtle type of accent lighting.  Of course when multiple strings are used together the results can be anything but subtle.  This is  especially true if bold colors and larger bulbs are used for decorating.

Outdoor lights of this style can add some real flair to a party and make even a small get together look like much more of an event.  This particular type of outdoor lighting really has the ability to make your patio, deck or yard look spectacular when used correctly.  Used without restraint though, they can look a bit tacky.  You should sketch out or plan your lighting arrangements before making any major lighting purchases.

The impression you make with your outdoor string lights is really up to you and your imagination.  Obviously choosing lights that look like delicate paper lanterns and stringing them along the ceiling, will result in a different feel than multicolored LED string lights surrounding a dance party.  The choices available for this type of lighting are extremely varied.

Just as there are different styles in this type of lighting, the cost of these lights will depend on what you decide you need.  Also, if you decide to put a large number of outdoor string lights up, your cost will increase significantly.

An important consideration when decorating with these lights, is making sure that you have adequate electrical outlets available.  You should follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding what the safe load is for each outlet.

Some people have a real decorator's eye when it comes to outdoor lights and outdoor lighting.  Others are quite clueless (but that's OK).  Just remember before you go out and buy a truckload of these lights, that sometimes, less is more.  For some events you may want to use many strings together as the primary source of light, but some of these outdoor string lights really strut their stuff best when used as an accent.  However you plan to use them, with a little bit of care, it is hard to go wrong with outdoor string lights.

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