11 Ways to Decorate with Outdoor String Lights

Weave together outdoor rooms by stringing cafe lights overhead between fence posts and trees.

Group strands of lights to cover sections of a wire wreath frame, attaching with zip ties to the back of the frame. Here, three strands of 25-count lights cover a 12-inch frame. Plug your light wreath into an extension cord and see your garden fence in a whole new light. PRO TIP: Using clear and/or frosted bulbs means your decor project will look great year-round--not just at Christmastime.

Accent a lush garden wall with a single draping strand of globe lights to signify an event space that begs to be photographed.

For evening entertaining on a deck or balcony, hang lights along fencing to define the perimeter of the party area. (As the sun goes down, the lights serve as a safety measure too.)

Hang string lights from wall to wall above an outdoor room to create an intimate starlight glow.

Wrap string lights around a thin oversized wreath and suspend in your outdoor dining area for a twinkling ambiance.

More: How to make a rustic outdoor chandelier like this one using branches and trimmings you might otherwise have thrown away

Make a grand outdoor space feel cozy--even enchanting--by creating a canopy of string lights overhead. As the daylight glow fades to night sky, the string lights softly illuminate the space.

Tuck strings of globe lights under cloches to create lanterns along a garden path. (Creating or improving garden pathways is easier than you think.)

String light strands along the roof perimeter of an outdoor room to accent party space. Here, lights glow against the redwood slats of an outdoor bar in a backyard retreat.

Drape a battery-powered strand of small string lights over a pile of wooden logs for a fire pit glow any time of year. Here, copper-wire lights illuminate stacked wooden logs.

Hang string lights at ceiling height to define separate spaces in the yard. Chose colored bulbs to add dimension and style.