How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard Without Trees? Top Ideas

Hanging string lights are not only attractive but also a great way to illuminate your backyard at night. There won’t be a problem even if your backyard is devoid of trees. So, how to hang string lights in your backyard without trees?

You are supposed to try outdoor string light poles, along fence lighting, deck lighting, string lights on umbrella, and use planters to string backyard lights.

Please read on for more detailed information.

Table of Contents

How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard Without Trees?

There are a ton of ways to turn on the lights, and we only demonstrated five of them here. I’ll share some additional strategies for getting your lights on by this evening here.

Outdoor String Light Poles

Since we made our string light poles a few years ago, some fantastic ones have been produced and are available for purchase.

Many of these light pole kits include poles and hooks, so you won’t need to worry about finding them elsewhere.

This is a good kit of four poles with light hooks and spikes that enable you to firmly plant the poles in the ground.

You don’t want to go wider than 12-15 feet with these, so make sure you get enough for the area that you want to cover.

How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard Without Trees? Outdoor String Light Poles

Along the Fence Lighting

Lay your string lights out along the fence where you want to hang them. You can lay them out along your fence line, or you can hold up one end while a friend holds the other to simulate how the lights will hang. Where support posts are required, mark the fence with a pencil or piece of masking tape.

Pick sturdy wooden posts for your lights. Be sure you get posts that are the same size, shape, and length.

Onto the wooden posts, screw cup hooks or mounting hooks. You need to make sure that these hooks are securely fastened because they will support your string lights. Your mounting hooks or cup hooks should be screwed into the wooden posts at one end.

The posts that will hold up your lights should be installed on your fence. To support your lights, make sure they are separated from one another sufficiently.

Hang the lights along the fence using the hooks to support them. To check the spacing, first plug the lights into the outlet or extension cord and set the first bulb next to the mounting hardware. After that, unplug the lights and hang the remaining pieces of the string without any power. Work your way along the fence to hang the lights on the supports.

How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard Without Trees? Along the Fence Lighting

Deck Lighting

The lighting on the deck was one of our favorite features of this, our last home. We only purchased rope lighting with mounting clips because there were several levels. In a single afternoon, we were able to hang the lights.

String Lights on Umbrella

You can attach string lights to an umbrella if you don’t have a gazebo. Then you can leave the umbrella open at night to show off the lighting.

Use Planters to String Backyard Lights

We really debated on using our planters on the deck to string lights. Given how much we prefer the higher lights, we decided against it.

Furthermore, because our planters were fairly short, we didn’t want to put too much weight on them. If planters are what you choose, make sure they are 3–4 feet tall. In this manner, you can fill the planters’ bottoms with at least 12 inches of concrete before covering it with soil and plants.

How to Hang String Lights in Your Backyard Without Trees? Use Planters to String Backyard Lights

String Light Alternatives for a Backyard Without Trees

Maybe none of the three choices we’ve offered up to this point appeal to you. Perhaps you’re rethinking using string lights altogether. If so, string lights are not the only excellent substitutes for illuminating your backyard. Here are some of our top picks.

Solar Fence Lights

Solar fence lights are growing in popularity due to their ease to install, relatively low price and self-sustaining nature. You won’t have to worry about a nearby outlet like you would with string lights. You might find that these lights don’t extend far enough in your yard. A great, more natural-looking alternative to string lights, if they could fit in your yard.

Tiki Torches

Tiki torches are a fantastic supplemental or alternative light source. These “lights” provide some flavor to your backyard, especially if you have a pool and are trying to make your backyard look like a resort. If outlets in your backyard are difficult to find, this is a great alternative.

In Ground / Landscape Lights

Last but not least, if there is nothing to hang string lights on, a set of inground lights can illuminate a backyard. These are also a great way to highlight different elements of the backyard, like large plants or seating areas.

FAQs

How Do You Hang Outdoor String Lights Without Posts?

Consider attaching to roofs and porch beams with heavy duty screw in hooks. Consider using painted aluminum poles to extend metal fences or a wooden pole up against a wooden fence to achieve the same effect. To keep it all together, use zip ties, then relish your fresh surroundings!

What Do You Use to Attach String Lights Outside?

Use cable clamps, cup hooks, or other hardware to attach your string lights. Using cup hooks or Q hooks from Amazon is one of the most popular ways to fasten string lights. Coaxial staples are an additional option; you can buy them on Amazon. This equipment acts like hooks.