How to Hang String Lights on Covered Patio or Deck

Easy and inexpensive way to hang beautiful string lights on a covered patio and deck - full instructions and products that I use to hang string light and globe lights under a deck.

I've been so excited to hang up some amazing string lights in covered, screened patio. My vision for our patio was to make it an extension of our living space. However, I didn't want to splurge too much on furniture knowing that, in the future, I wanted to extend our patio from just a small 10 x 10 space that wrapped the width of our home. In order for us to complete the deck project, it would take about $10,000 to create some much needed french drains for our backyard hill to slope the right way and then the same amount to build the deck. Talk about expensive!

So as an interim step to that project, I wanted to make the space as inviting as I could while I patiently for our home furnishings savings account to increase. I purchased an amazing teak patio set for under $150 on Craigslist that desperately needs sanding and new cushions.

I needed an easy way to update the space, but at an economical price point. Simple, gorgeous string lights to the rescue! It was an elegant and easy way to spruce up our outdoor living space, making it more cozy and inviting.

With the right toools, installing string lights can be very easy to do. Here are a few tips and tricks I learned along the way.

How to Hang String Lights Under Covered Patio, Deck, or Porch

Supplies for Hanging String Lights on Covered Patio

• Brightech Shop String Lights
• Screw Driver
• Hooks
• Silcon
• Zip Ties
• Extension Cord

These Brightech shop string lights are amazing. They are heavy duty and very cost effective with their low power. They are also super easy to hang, as each light drop has a small loophole in it. You simply cannot go wrong with these. They are so durable. I love how you can see the "filament" of the lights even though they are LED, gives more of the vintage vibe.

Tips and Tricks for Hanging String Lights Under Covered Patio Deck

Clean design. Initially, I had wanted the lights to be angled from one corner to the next. Since we had a fan installed, it would be too much for the space.For our space, I wanted to stay clear of a cluttered ceiling, so we opted for the perimeter to be lighted.

However, if you have a fairly open space, I would recommend looking up various ways you can hang the lights (for example lights strung out only from one corner, but spreads like a fan to the sides).

Measure Your Space. Before you even think about ordering your lights, measure your space and your design. It's important to think about how you'll get the light to the outlet, especially if you want to hang the long leading end. Measure your space and your initial design so that you get enough length.

Anchor Ports. Make sure you have anchor ports for the light strands. In our space, since we were securing it around the perimeter, it wasn't that big of a deal.

Use hooks and silicone. If you plan on adding holes to the outside walks, I would recommend using caulking silicone around the hooks to keep the hole from wearing with the weather as well as keeping the bugs out.

Keep the lights away from the wall. While the lights don't emit that much power, we wanted to avoid any heat to the structures surrounding it as much as possible. As a hack, we added zip ties to the hooks and cut them. The zip ties effectively worked as spacers on the hooks to keep the lights away from the wall. It was cheap and worked.

Summary of Hanging String Lights Under Covered Patio or Deck

Seriously, this is the easiest project ever. Adding string lights to our deck makes our evening more magical. The lights look glorious during sunset hours. I just love to get away from the noise of what a big family offers and just sit and relax with a cup of hot chocolate. The glow is charming and provides a surprising amount of light.

While it is true that bugs are less attracted to these LED lights as compared to my regular fan lighting, I now had a new appreciation for what my screened in patio could do for me. Check out our project on restoring our deck patio furniture here!

Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging String Lights Under Covered Patio and Deck

Can you hang string lights with a staple gun?

Staple guns should not be used to hang string lights. Not only will staples damage your home's walls, but it could also completely damage the lights. The recommendation is to just use a drill to install hooks and/or screw eyes or potentially find plastic clips and hooks that are strong enough to hold up your string lights.

How do you hang Edison lights under covered patio deck?

To hang Edison lights under a covered patio, you'll need to have hooks or screw eyes that are drilled underneath the ceiling of the covered patio or deck. Next, use silicon to do preventative shielding for water damage. Hang the string lights without the bulbs. Once the string lights are hung up, add the bulbs on along with an extension cord and automatic timer.

Other Patio Furniture Posts You Might Like

Below are some posts that I’ve written around our outdoor space that I also think you might like:

• How to Power Wash Teak Outdoor Patio Furniture
• Refinishing Teak Outdoor Furniture
• Patio Cushion Makeover
• Summertime Outdoor Pillows

How to Hang String Lights Outdoors Under Covered Deck or Patio

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Active Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Difficulty: Medium

Estimated Cost: $20

Learn how to hang and mount your string lights outdoors on your covered patio, deck, or porch with simple instructions.

Print

Materials

• String Lights and Bulbs
• Ladder
• Hooks and/or Screw Eyes
• Plastic Zip Ties
• Outdoor Extension Cord
• Timer for Outdoor Lights
• Pencil
• Silicon

Tools

• Drill
• Drill Bit

Instructions

1. Measure out anchor points. You'll want to determine where you want each string light strand to hang. Depending on whether you want the lines to overlap or if you want it around the perimeter, you'll want to make sure you measure out where the corners will be as well.
2. Prepare the lights be removing the light bulbs from the string prior to installation.
3. Measure out the distance between one bulb and the next bulb. Next, determine whether you want the string lights to be taut around the covered patio, porch, or deck or whether you want it to hang with one bulb hanging down in the middle between every other light.
4. Mark the locations on where to drill the holes for the screw eyes or hook. Screw in the screw eyes and hook. Use silicon around the hook to prevent any water damage to the holes that you drilled.
5. Use the zip ties to create a barrier between the top part of the light and the covered deck wall in between the hook and the string light. This will allow you to keep the lights away from the wall.
6. Place the string lights on the hooks. Install the light bulbs.
7. Attach the string lights to the extension cord (if needed). Install a timer as needed to prevent having to manually turn it on and off.

Notes

I would recommend putting the wires up close to the ceiling to prevent any birds sitting on the wires.