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8 ways to decorate with string lights

String lights are such a great way to add character and light hearted fun to almost any space – indoor or outdoor. And if you think they’re only for Christmas, you’d be surprised at the ways to enjoy them all year long. They’re an easy way to add a little spark to almost anywhere, and the magical glow makes for a dreamy addition that goes up in minutes. Just string them up, plug them in, then bask in the beauty of twinkle lights.

outdoor string lightssource: brick & mortar

Brighten up an outdoor space by draping simple string lights above. These duet lights are perfect, because the varying sizes add even more interest.

outdoor decorating ideas with string lightsWant another spin on using lights outdoors? I used the Edison style string lights on my recent porch makeover. It’s amazing just how much light those little bulbs produce! My favorite part about this particular kind is they are commercial grade, so the sockets have a seal that keeps water from getting inside the bulbs (I hate it when that happens!)

string lights DIY chandelier source: poppytalk

Want to kick it up a notch with a little DIY action? Use some black wire globe lights to create a unique chandelier out of branches.

string lights in officesource: style at home

Bring a little cheer to your home office space by clipping up globe string lights above a desk.  It gives such a happy vibe, don’t you think?

 

A photo posted by GinaThe Shabby Creek Cottage (@shabbycreek) on Feb 18, 2015 at 8:52am PST


Those same lights are the kind I use to add a little more light to my somewhat dark kitchen. No worries about putting them up or taking them down – it only takes a matter of minutes.

string lightssource: fancy

Want to add more glamour to a small space? Add fairy lights around a mirror for instant impact.

decorating with string lightssource: buzzfeed

My teenage daughter would LOVE to use this tumblr style idea for hanging up her photos with some traditional white  string lights.

lights everywhere source: modern maggie

And last, but most certainly not least, sometimes more is more. Want to light it up? Then pull out all the stops with all the lights everywhere.

eight ways to decora*Thanks to Lights for All Occasions for partnering with me on this post. I was compensated for this content.*

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Filed Under: decorating ideas

About Gina Luker

Gina Luker is a writer, photographer and lover of all things quirky. She's usually found with a drill in one hand and a cocktail in the other while blogging along the way. She's addicted to coffee, polka dots, rock stars, Instagram, and everything aqua.

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Comments

  1. Tracy says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:20 am

    Good morning. I just wanted to say thank you. I really enjoy your blog. You make me smile.

    Reply
  2. stephanie says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    i would love to add the string lights to our newly re- built deck!! a fresh start for an old space! i would love to
    win a set of them!$
    (ig: iwillbesailing_faster)

    Reply
  3. Denise says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:04 pm

    Been looking for a fun idea for my back porch! These are perfect! Reminds me of my daughters wedding reception! What a fun way to remember that always!

    Reply
  4. Heather Hollands says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    Love your pictures! I like to use string lights to add character to my high school classroom and so we can keep the fluorescent overhead lights turned off.

    Reply
  5. christine brogan says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:05 pm

    I would love to string these outside in the summer and bring them inside to string around a mirror. They add so much romance to any space!

    Reply
  6. Cindy Thomas says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    It’s impossible to say which is my fave way to decorate with string lights, because, well, I have this thing for string lights. I adore the way they look and the feelings the lights evoke when strung up in a zigzag pattern across the back yard, or in a barn, my living room, etc. 🙂 It takes me back to my childhood, when l spent summers back on my grandparents farm catching fireflies. Home grown corn, family gatherings, ice cold knee highs from the fridge in my grandfather’s cellar. Treasured memories!

    Reply
  7. Kari says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:16 pm

    I would love a set for my back porch! They would also be great for the awning of our travel trailer while we are camping!

    Reply
  8. Robin says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:17 pm

    I love lights strung down a stairwell or a banister that shows over a livingroom.

    Reply
  9. Lori Carr says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Hi Gina
    My favorite way to show off lights are in mason jars for outside or strung under my patio umbrella! Love your style! Thanks!
    Lori Carr

    Reply
  10. Sara says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:23 pm

    Our living room opens directly to our sunroom and we’re trying to make the latter room a kid friendly space. Hanging these lights up and down the slanted ceiling in there would add just the right touch of whimsy!

    Reply
  11. Meg says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:28 pm

    These string lights would look adorable at an outside coffee bar for entertaining & parties 🙂 love love love ❤️

    Reply
  12. Anna H says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:43 pm

    I would love to use string lights on our outdoor area that has a fire pit. I’d love to put a table near it with lights overhead!

    Reply
  13. Momma Moore says

    July 31, 2015 at 1:50 pm

    Would love to hang some across my pool deck!!

    Reply
  14. MJ says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:06 pm

    My favorite use for string lights is to use them to create some different lighting on a patio/porch. Perfect for date nights on the porch!

    Reply
  15. Tara says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:30 pm

    I love the look of these lights. I want some to string up in the back yard to extend our fun summer nights.

    Reply
  16. Jennifer says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    I would love to hang these in our sunroom. Or even our bedroom or daughters room!!!!

    Reply
  17. Kristina A says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:34 pm

    I love the ideas! So far I’ve just used the globe lights on my screened porch. Love them.

    Reply
  18. Trena says

    July 31, 2015 at 2:48 pm

    (Instagram username: trenalynn) – My husband and I just bought a home, and it has a narrow backyard much like the one in your first photo. We plan to run lights back and forth from the house to the fence, and cannot wait to do it! But man the patio lights are expensive! Do you know the difference between patio lights and christmas lights besides bulb size that causes the disparity in pricing? I have researched and come up with nada!

    Reply
  19. Rachel says

    July 31, 2015 at 3:30 pm

    Thanks for sharing these great tips for stringing lights. I have been dying for some for my new tiny porch, but our Newlywed budget hasn’t had room for any yet. I’ve tried to convince my husband that they would make everything feel more homey :). Thanks for the ideas! Now I’m thinking about hanging them in our bedroom or even the living room…whenever we can afford them 🙂

    Reply
  20. Robin says

    July 31, 2015 at 3:36 pm

    I hope I win !!! I would use them under my outdoor kitchen patio cover !

    Reply
  21. Joni says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:03 pm

    I used string lights to fill up an old fireplace that didn’t work anymore!

    Reply
  22. Drill Bits and Oven Mitts--Heather says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:11 pm

    I love these!!! If I won this giveaway I would give them to my mom. She’s been dreaming of having an amazing outdoor patio and I’ve been wanting to make her one with fabulous lights like these!

    Reply
  23. Lindsey Zucker says

    July 31, 2015 at 4:52 pm

    I would definately add them as overhead light in my deck. Once we buy a house next year maybe something more permanent like wood poles to help add to the effect and to get them to hang where I would want them to hang.

    Reply
  24. Amy says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    I need these for my back yard! Great ideas.

    Reply
  25. Katy Adams says

    July 31, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    I would love to use string lights above my new kitchen island!

    Reply
  26. Molly says

    July 31, 2015 at 6:39 pm

    I would love to use these around the patio of my new house. We just moved to a new house in the middle of the city and I just want my house to light up what many call a dark spot in the city!

    Reply
  27. Amber says

    July 31, 2015 at 8:34 pm

    These lights are dreamy. And your porch makeover is adorable! Love the outdoor dining area so much! We’re slowly but surely making our project home our own and I’d love to have lights like these hanging in our little sunroom!
    Love keeping up with you! Keep the great ideas coming. You’re inspiring!

    Reply
  28. Jennifer says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:03 pm

    I would love to light up my back porch.

    Reply
  29. Kelly says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:36 pm

    I would string them around the pool in my backyard.

    Reply
  30. Cassie says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:42 pm

    My daughters wedding reception would be perfect, or our back deck. I just lighting.

    Reply
  31. Tyler says

    July 31, 2015 at 9:57 pm

    We are having a backyard dinner party soon and these would be perfect!

    Reply
  32. Lisa Hardwick says

    August 1, 2015 at 9:34 am

    One way I love to use string lights is to run around the canopy of my beds.

    Reply
  33. Trish says

    August 2, 2015 at 7:21 am

    I love this post! I love how just adding some small, simple lights can change the look and feel of a room. My daughter has white lights encased in tulle strung over her bed. Thanks for more great ideas!! I’m going to show my other daughter the twinkle lights/mirror idea 🙂

    Reply
  34. Lisa says

    August 2, 2015 at 12:41 pm

    I love the idea of stringing them up under the deck. I will for sure do this whenever we build again.

    Reply
  35. @flowersbynini says

    August 2, 2015 at 12:45 pm

    My favorite way to use lights is on my three season porch. They really light up those cool summer nights and add so much ambiance to the porch! What a great giveaway. Keeping my fingers crossed. 🙂

    Reply
  36. Linsey says

    August 2, 2015 at 1:11 pm

    Love. I feel like it adds so much personality to a back yard! I’ve always wanted some of these for our backyard, we are about to build our kids a playhouse. How cute would it be to string them around a playhouse patio?!

    Reply
  37. Sally says

    August 2, 2015 at 1:51 pm

    A wedding….not very original, right? But there is nothing more romantic than lights at a wedding.

    Reply
  38. donna joy says

    August 2, 2015 at 6:15 pm

    i have lights strung in my art room-these would make a great addition-love the ambience~

    Reply
  39. Ann says

    March 6, 2016 at 6:49 pm

    I love these. My daughter just became engaged and they want to use these little “fairy” lights all over the barn.

    Reply
  40. ,Pam B says

    June 7, 2016 at 10:12 pm

    I adore string lights and use them often to light up a space I want to photograph. They are always over the mantle, naturally and, in the bay window. Just recently, as my garden began to bloom, I put them into lanterns and bottles placed among shrubs and along the path. The also look wonderful wound around blooming salvia and astilbe! When my husband returned home that first night he said that from the street it becconed like a fairyland garden! Now I plan to photograph the scene. Then ,I’ll have tea in my garden.

    Reply
  41. E. Genoveva Mancilla Alcántara says

    September 4, 2018 at 4:10 pm

    Me gustan mucho las luces, es verdad cualquier ocasión es buena para dar chispa a las casas, a la vida!.

    Reply
  42. Sam Li says

    January 14, 2019 at 2:31 pm

    I love what you suggested about hanging string lights above a desk in order to brighten a workspace. I think that small, portable lights are great options for decorating for a dinner party or any other special event. If I were to need lights for a party or something, I would contact a reliable seller that has a wide selection of portable lights.

    Reply

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