DIY Outdoor String Lights on Poles - H2OBungalow (2024)

Today’s project is DIY outdoor string lights on poles, moveable poles to be specific. With summer just around the corner it was time to start thinking about our outdoor space and new ways to make it cozy. I was feeling a bit of pressure to get this project done. I’d already invited several couples over for dinner and the only place I could comfortably fit that many people was our backyard.

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Like any good hostess I wanted to make the evening special and create a beautiful outdoor setting. Good lighting is one of the easiest ways to create ambiance and outdoor string lights seemed like the perfect DIY project. Silly me, thinking I’d have them built and up in a few hours.

What was I thinking by waiting until the day before to build them? Ugh..

Truth be told this DIY outdoor string lights on poles project isn’t hard to make. In hindsight, I’d plan for more than 2 or 3 hours, especially if you have plans like friends coming for dinner. You’ll enjoy having more time to do other things like your hair and makeup. Scroll down to the end of this post to find myDIY Outdoor string lights on poles tutorial.

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**Update** Since this post, I’ve made over my backyard again and shared a new outdoor lighting project, How To Hang String Lights. It covers different hanging methods and lots of useful info for planing a backyard string light project.

I use affiliate links to help you find the products I used. If you make a purchase I get a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting the overhead costs of H2OBungalow.

How to Make DIY Outdoor String Lights on Poles

Supplies needed to make outdoor string lights on poles.

For each freestanding outdoor string light box and pole you will need:

Cut List

  • 4 – 2″ x 2″ @ at 17″, box inside frame
  • 1 – 2″ x 2″ @ 8ft, light pole
  • extra 2″ x 2″ to add a support collar around the top.
  • cedar fence boards
    • 8 – @ 14″, box short sides
    • 8 – @ 15″, box long sides
    • 4 – top frame pieces with each end cut at a 45 degree angle and 12″ on the inside length.

My best time-saving advice when building multiple items is use a measuring tool like the Kreg Multi-Mark Tool. Set it and mark all the pieces at once which is so much faster than using a ruler to mark each piece!

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Step one: Assemble the box frame with the 4 inside supports.

Use wood glue and assemble the box with 1″ brad nails. Leaving a 1/2″ space on the bottom of each leg attach the first row of boards to the frame. I attached the two short sides by lining them up flush with the edge of the leg. Secure them with a nail gun. Next, join the two sides together with the two long (15″) boards.

The edge of the long boards will line up flush with the end of the short boards to make a nice corner. See the picture below. Continue attaching all of the side boards.

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Step two: Add a the mitered frame onto the top of the box.

Add a collar around the outside of the top of the box. Measure your box and cut pieces to fit. I used wood scraps for this part but 2″ x 2″ would be fine. Align and attach the top frame onto the box.

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Step three: Stain or weather seal the outdoor string light box base.

I used my Wagner Small Paint Shelter and my Finish Max to stain all of my boxes and the outdoor light poles with Thompson’s Water Seal in Acorn.

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Step Four: Attach cup holder bracket at the top of each light pole.

Screw in 1 or 2 screws per side at the bottom of each 8 ‘ light pole. Leave at least 1-1/2″ of the nail sticking out. Yes it will look like a porcupine but it will help ensure your pole doesn’t lift easily out of the concrete when dry. I didn’t get a picture of this step…sorry!

Step Five: Mix concrete in anchor buckets.

Follow directions for your brand of quick set concrete and mix 1 bag per 5 gallon anchor bucket. Insert a light pole. Usea level on the pole to adjust for straightness if needed and secure with Duck Tape to hold in place while the concrete is drying. When dry, drill a few drain holes by the top of the concrete if you’re planning on adding plants.

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Step Six: Assemble the DIY outdoor string lights.

Place bucket inside of the cedar box or lift over the pole if needed. I wanted to hide the buckets as much as possible and my top frame is slightly narrower than the top of the bucket so I lifted my wood box over the pole. Add plants as desired.

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Last, add the outdoor string lights and enjoy!

I love that these outdoor string lights on poles look good day or night in my backyard.

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Choosing to make moveable outdoor light poles and boxes that complimented our outside decor and furniture was the right choice. Since our patio area is flat and wide open it helps break up and define the dining space. Before I added our DIY outdoor string lights the table was kind of sitting there on our big open patio all by itself. It wasn’t inviting or cozy. The outdoor lights changed that!

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Our dinner party was a big success. The last minute rush of building my outdoor string lights on poles was well worth it. Everyone loved them. Our entire group, all ten of us, sat at the table for hours and talked long after dinner was served.

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I’m looking forward to our next get together to use them again. This time I’ll budget more time for planning the evening which should be easier since I’ve built our outdoor lights already!

Don’t forget to pin this project for later!

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Are you ready for summer entertaining or quiet nights in your backyard? Where would you put outdoor string lights?

Did I mention yet today is the Power Tool Challenge Team’s theme day? It is, and our theme this month is outdoor. Take a look at what the rest of the Power Tool Challenge Team came up with for this month’s theme. You could use any one or all of these creative DIYs to add style to your backyard entertaining. You could also check out How to make DIY shutters with sailboat cutouts.…or whatever shape you’d like.

Create and Babble – Picnic Caddy

Designed Decor – Flip up Deck Bar

The Weathered Fox – DIY Hanging Plant Stand

My Repurposed Life – Patio Garden Hose Organizer

Pin this for later!

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Other posts you may enjoy to help get your outdoor ready for the warm weather

DIY Outdoor String Lights on Poles - H2OBungalow (14)

Easy DIY Patio Table Plans

Key West DIY Wood Planter Box

DIY Outdoor Sofa Table Tutorial

3 Tips for Spray Painting Outdoor Planters

DIY Wooden Lantern for Indoors or Outdoors

Yield: Outdoor string light pole

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DIY outdoor string lights on poles tutorial. Holds up in gusty wind and weather, leave your string lights out year round for beautiful night ambiance.

Active Time4 hours

Total Time4 hours

Difficultyeasy

Materials

Instructions

  1. See the cut list below in the notes.
  2. Use wood glue and assemble the box with 1" brad nails. Leaving a 1/2" space on the bottom of each leg attach the first row of boards to the frame. I attached the two short sides by lining them up flush with the edge of the leg. Secure them with a nail gun. Next, join the two sides together with the two long (15") boards.
  3. Add a collar around the outside of the top of the box. Measure your box and cut pieces to fit. I used wood scraps for this part but 2" x 2" would be fine. Align and attach the top frame onto the box.
  4. Stain or weather seal the outdoor string light box base. I used my Homeright Small Paint Shelter and my Finish Max to stain all of my boxes and the outdoor light poles with Thompson's Water Seal in Nutmeg.
  5. Attach cup holder bracket at the top of each light pole.
  6. Screw in 1 or 2 screws per side at the bottom of each 8 ' light pole. Leave at least 1-1/2" of the nail sticking out. Yes it will look like a porcupine but it will help ensure your pole doesn't lift easily out of the concrete when dry.
  7. Follow directions for your brand of quick set concrete and mix 1 bag per 5 gallon anchor bucket.
  8. Insert a light pole. Usea level on the pole to adjust for straightness if needed and secure with Duck Tape to hold in place while the concrete is drying.
  9. When dry, drill a few drain holes by the top of the concrete if you're planning on adding plants.
  10. Assemble the DIY outdoor string lights.
  11. Place bucket inside of the cedar box or lift over the pole if needed. I wanted to hide the buckets as much as possible and my top frame is slightly narrower than the top of the bucket so I lifted my wood box over the pole.
  12. Last, add the outdoor string lights and enjoy!

Notes

CUT LIST

4 - 2" x 2" @ at 17", box inside frame
1 - 2" x 2" @ 8ft, light pole
extra 2" x 2" to add a support collar around the top.
cedar fence boards
8 - @ 14", box short sides
8 - @ 15", box long sides
4 - top frame pieces with each end cut at a 45 degree angle and 12" on the inside length.

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DIY Outdoor String Lights on Poles - H2OBungalow (2024)

FAQs

How to hang outdoor string lights on poles? ›

Attach outdoor lights to the screw eye using zip ties. If necessary, spray-paint the zip tie to match the color of the pole and hook. Remove the string light poles when not in use, and mow right over the concrete bases if needed.

How to keep string light poles from leaning? ›

The key to keeping string lights from leaning is ensuring they have a solid base. For temporary string light poles that aren't buried in the ground, a heavy concrete base will ensure they stay upright while supporting the string lights.

How far apart should string light poles be for a patio? ›

Large Backyards, Decks or Patios

However, if you are wanting patio lights for a larger outdoor area, consider stringers where the bulbs are 12" to 24" apart depending on how dense you want your lighting to be. Hanging string lights in larger outdoor spaces with limited hanging points requires careful planning.

How do you hang outdoor string lights without drilling? ›

Here are ways you can hang these outdoor string lights without nails for the best results.
  1. Leverage the Use of Pillars. Pillars that hold your patio cover are great for lighting. ...
  2. Zip Ties. ...
  3. Try Outdoor Adhesive Hooks. ...
  4. Consider Alumahooks.

Can I use PVC pipe to hang string lights? ›

You will want to dig an 18″ hole and then place a PVC Pipe into it. Just make sure it goes below the grass line. We installed our posts this way with the intention that we could insert metal poles into the PVC pipe and then take them out (and the lights down) during the winter months.

How do I keep my outdoor string lights from drooping? ›

A guidewire, a heavy-duty wire strung between support points, provides the string lights with the support they need. Not only does this prevent drooping, but it also keeps the lights secure during storms, winds, or any unexpected touch.

How do you hang rope lights on columns? ›

You can use either a zip tie around the column to hold the rope light in place, or install a hook into the back of the column and then zip tie the rope lights to the hook for a more permanent solution.

How do you suspend outdoor string lights? ›

How to Hang Outdoor String Lights
  1. Step 1: Measure & Prep. The first thing to do is measure for both your string lights and the cable guide wire you need for spanning across any open spaces. ...
  2. Step 2: Mount Screw Hooks. ...
  3. Step 3: Connect & Tighten Cable. ...
  4. Step 4: Attach Your String Lights. ...
  5. Step 5: Sit Back and Enjoy!

How many outdoor string lights can you put together? ›

Divide 210 by the number of watts each string uses, and this will give you your number of strings you can successfully daisy-chain per outlet. For a 20-watt strand, that's 10.5 string lights connected in series.

How far can you hang string lights without support? ›

Do You Need a Guide Wire to Hang String Lights? Outdoor string lights can be as short as 10 feet or as long as 400! Shorter runs won't need a support wire. But if you're going 100 feet or more, extra support is a must.

How to hide extra string lights? ›

Choose two much shorter strings. Wind up the leftover lights and tuck them under an eave or physically hide them within your project. Visually disguise extra bulbs with a little piece of electrical tape if there aren't too many.

How to hang string lights on pole? ›

String your lights

It was so easy to hang the lights! We used zip ties around the sides of the posts and light pole to secure the light strands. The cup hooks didn't need any securing since they hold the cord securely. It has been almost 10 months since we installed these lights, and they still look good as new!

Can I use 2x2 for string lights? ›

2x2 or 2x4 wood is not recommended. A 4x4 post securely placed in the ground is typically sufficient for most backyard patio light applications. If your lighting display is more complex and you have many string light runs being supported from a single post, a 6x6 post can be used.

Do you need a guide wire to hang string lights? ›

The Role of Guidewire in Hanging Outdoor String Lighting

A guidewire, a heavy-duty wire strung between support points, provides the string lights with the support they need. Not only does this prevent drooping, but it also keeps the lights secure during storms, winds, or any unexpected touch.

How do you attach outdoor rope lights? ›

How to Hang Rope Lights in 7 Simple Steps
  1. Decide Where You Want to Hang Your Lights. ...
  2. Figure Out How Much Rope Lighting You Need. ...
  3. Install Plastic Cable Clips. ...
  4. Place the Rope Inside the Clips. ...
  5. Nail Down Your Cable Clips. ...
  6. Plug in Your Rope Lights. ...
  7. Turn on Your Lights and Enjoy!
Nov 11, 2019

How do you attach string lights to an outside wall? ›

One of the most practical and easiest ways to hang fairy lights on either bricks or any outside wall is using a hot glue gun. Just lay out with a pencil how you want to design your lights, dab a hot glue at the base of each light, and press in place for about 20 seconds for a more secure stick.

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