You know that exact moment when the sun sets, the BBQ’s still smoking, and the kids are half-covered in grass stains? That’s when you realise — we really need better lighting out here. We’ve had string lights zip-tied to a rusty pole and hanging off a tree branch since last summer, and while it sort of works, it also sort of screams “last-minute garden party that never got tidied up.”
So this year, I’ve gone full Pinterest mum and looked up all the affordable, actually-doable ways to string up some magic. And I don’t mean the ones that involve power tools and scaffolding (we’re not building the Eiffel Tower, just lighting the patio). I mean real, budget-friendly ideas that feel a bit dreamy but still leave money for ice cream and citronella candles.
Whether you’ve got a tiny back patio, a kid-stuffed garden, or just want to eat outside without needing a torch, these lighting ideas are cute, practical, and most importantly — easy enough to not give up halfway through.
1. String Lights Hung from Wooden Poles in Planters
This one’s dead easy and looks surprisingly polished. Grab a couple of big planters (think: old buckets, large pots, even repurposed toy bins), fill them with concrete or pebbles for weight, then pop in tall wooden poles with a hook or eyelet on top. Drape your string lights between the poles, and boom — you’ve got an instant frame for your patio or dining spot.
I added a few trailing plants to the base of mine to make them look intentional (and to hide the fact I used leftover garden stakes). You can run the lights straight across, criss-cross them, or zig-zag depending on your space. It works for corners, along fences, or even down a narrow garden path if you’ve got one of those long side-yards like us.
2. Backyard Lights Zigzagged Across a Concrete Patio
Concrete patios are practical — less so when you’re trying to make them look cosy. I ran string lights back and forth above ours using simple screw-in hooks drilled into the brick exterior and a nearby tree. We’ve got that flat square of concrete by the kitchen door that used to look like a garage sale zone, but with the lights up? Whole new vibe.
You can do this with just a ladder, patience, and a slightly wobbly sense of geometry. Add an old outdoor rug, some folding chairs, and a folding table, and you’ve got a dinner spot that actually feels like a room. My kids now think it’s the “restaurant,” which is cute until they demand menus.
3. String Lights Hung Inside a Backyard Pergola
If you’ve got a pergola (or thinking about building one with leftover wood like we did), stringing lights inside the beams is an easy win. You don’t need a fancy setup — just staple or clip the lights along the inside edges, letting them drape a little here and there for that soft café glow.
Even if the pergola’s a bit wobbly (mine’s more “Pinterest attempt” than “Pinterest success”), the lights make it feel like a destination. It’s perfect for warm evenings, family dinners, or pretending you’re having a date night when you’re actually just eating frozen pizza after bedtime.
4. Outdoor String Lights Hooked Along a Wooden Fence
This is honestly the easiest and cheapest thing on this list — and it works. Run string lights along the top of your fence with adhesive hooks, cup hooks, or zip ties if you’re not precious about the fence finish. It’s subtle, but the glow at night adds loads of atmosphere and helps the kids see where not to kick the football.
Choose warm white bulbs if you want that soft look or go for colourful ones if your garden’s more on the playful, plant-filled chaos side (like mine). You can pair this with fairy lights in a nearby shrub if you’re feeling fancy.
5. DIY Patio Lights from Dollar Store Lanterns and Bulbs
If you’ve got a mix of string lights and bare bulbs, hang them vertically or from a tree and add cheap lantern shades from the pound shop. You can also use wire baskets, old colanders, or mini paper shades for a DIY twist. It instantly upgrades them from “basic string lights” to “oh wow, did you make these?”
We did a row of them hanging from the washing line — and it was weirdly charming. Just make sure whatever you use won’t melt (learned that the hard way with one rogue candle holder that nearly became a science experiment). Keep it simple, stick to neutral tones, and you’ll be amazed how pretty it looks once the sun goes down.
6. Backyard Lights Hung from Tree Branches (No Tools Needed)
This one’s for the mums who don’t fancy power tools or trips to the hardware store. If you’ve got trees in the yard, you’ve got lighting potential. Just drape string lights right over the branches — no hooks, no fuss. You can wrap them once or twice if the branch is low enough, or let them hang and sway a bit for that magical fairy garden effect.
We’ve got one stubborn apple tree that’s great for this, and I swear the glow makes the fruit look riper than it really is. Bonus points if you add a hammock or picnic blanket underneath and pretend you’re on holiday. Great for last-minute playdates or when the power’s gone out and the garden’s your only source of calm.
7. Globe String Lights Over a Small Outdoor Dining Area
If your outdoor setup is mostly a tiny table and some mis-matched chairs you dragged out from the shed (me), globe lights are an easy way to make it look “intentional.” They’re slightly bigger than standard fairy lights and give off a brighter, softer light — ideal for outdoor dinners when you’re trying to cut watermelon by moonlight.
Run them in a U-shape or loop them around a nearby post, fence, or even the side of your house. We hung ours from an old tension pole wedged between two patio slabs and a garden hook. Slightly chaotic install but looks dreamy at night. Plus, the kids think it’s fancy now, which is the goal, right?
8. Solar String Lights Along the Garden Path
I used to think solar lights were just those sad little sticks that stop working after two weeks, but honestly — the new string versions are fab. You can line them along the path, wrap them around planters, or hang them from short poles if you want them off the ground.
The best bit? No plug. No extension cords. They charge in the day, and flicker on automatically at dusk like polite little helpers. We’ve got ours looped along the stone path to the back gate and it’s turned our very average yard into something a bit storybook-ish. At least after dark.
9. Curtain-Style Lights Behind a Privacy Screen or Wall
If you’ve got a privacy screen, side fence, or the back of your shed showing, try a curtain of string lights. Not literal curtains (though that’s a vibe), but the kind where multiple strands hang vertically from one top string. Hang them against the flat wall or drape across a trellis and you’ve got instant ambience.
This is great for those slightly dodgy corners of the garden where nothing grows and the kids stash old footballs. Ours hides the compost bin and somehow makes it feel like a feature wall. Honestly — curtain lights are like garden mascara. They lift everything.
10. String Lights Draped Over a DIY Backyard Bar
If you’ve built a makeshift bar out of pallets, bricks, or whatever’s in the shed (no judgement), string lights make it feel like a real grown-up spot. Drape them from a pergola above, hang them between fence panels, or just wrap them around the top ledge. Even if the bar’s just a bench with a cooler underneath, it gives the whole space a glow-up.
We added a few citronella candles and called it the “mum zone” last summer. Worked for about ten minutes until someone needed a snack — but hey, those ten minutes were dreamy. And the lights make it feel like it’s always ready for a party, even when it’s just juice boxes and leftover crisps.
Final Thoughts
Outdoor string lights are honestly one of the easiest ways to make your backyard feel more alive — like a real space for you and the family to enjoy, not just the place where the toys and weeds go. You don’t need to spend loads, and half the time the slightly uneven, DIY vibe is what makes it look warm and inviting. Whether it’s a concrete patio, a tiny deck, or the patch of grass next to the wheelie bins, there’s a way to make it glow a little.
So go rummage through the shed, dig out those lights you forgot you bought last year, and give the garden a little sparkle. You’ve earned it.