Watch the video above for all of the details on how
to hang string lights around an open deck
I love the deck in our backyard. It’s right off our sunroom and kitchen where we spend most of our time at home. But it really lacked inspiring lighting.
Now, I’m a big fan of the cafe-style lights and wanted some for our deck. But since it’s an open deck (and not covered), there wasn’t a place to hang any string lights. Then one day I was walking up the deck steps, like I do when I come home everyday, and got the idea to use shepherd’s hooks to hold the lights!
To attach the hooks to my deck, I stained some 1x4s the same as my deck and screwed them into the 4×4 posts along my handrails. Then I spray painted 1/2″ conduit straps a glossy black to match the hooks and attached 2 of them to each post.
Before you can slide the shepherd’s hooks into the conduit straps, you have to cut off part of the stake. You can use a handsaw for this cut.
Above all (pardon the pun), you’ll need string lights! I went with these vintage-inspired lights from Moonrays Outdoor Living. I mean, the bulbs are plastic!? Which is especially great since I have littles and broken glass on our deck is a no go!
**This episode is sponsored by Moonrays. I only partner with brands I love. All opinions are honest and 100% my own.
Once the strands of lights were plugged together and hung on the hooks, I also added a little something extra to the bottom of our deck stairs.
These swirled glass globes are also from Moonrays. They’re solar-powered so I don’t have to have an extension cord running through the yard. But I still get a little color and fun when I’m coming and going!
There’s no doubt that lighting can make a big difference in the look and feel of any space, including the great outdoors! And now we’re set for cool nights of Fall with subtle ambiance from our string lights!
Do you have cafe-style lights at your house? Or have you ever used a shepherd’s hook for something other than a plant or bird feeder? Comment below to let me know!
Thanks for Checking In! ~Chelsea
Kris Crocker says
September 3, 2017 at 7:01 pmGreat idea and so simple and easy. Hoping hubby will be interested enough to watch.
How about an easy, simple potting bench? Organized our backyard shed this summer and thought on one side of the shed (outside) I’d put a potting bench. Looking for all the things I need to incorporate so it can be my handy dandy all in one answer, Thanks hopefully, Kris Crocker
Jimmy Burchell says
September 4, 2017 at 3:40 pmGreat Idea
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
September 5, 2017 at 10:18 amThanks, Jimmy! ~Chelsea
Teresa Brown says
September 5, 2017 at 6:21 amI love that this was easy enough for anyone to do, even Mary Helen. Ha, Ha,
It did look very nice and looking forward to doing this project with my two girls. They love doing projects together, especially if its fun and easy. Thank you so much for sharing. Can’t wait to see your next project.
P.S. We are decorating for fall now. If you have any simple and fun projects, I would love to see them. Thanks again. Teresa Brown
Angie Clarke says
September 15, 2017 at 9:01 pmAwesome video! Great ideas 🙂 What a fun backyard project! Like the plastic LED concept too!
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
September 18, 2017 at 8:09 amYes we’re loving the plastic bulbs too! Thanks, Angie! ~Chelsea
pam says
September 19, 2017 at 7:16 pmIt’s nice to see ideas around an open deck. I mostly see covered/the screen porch stuff.
Maybe shade ideas? I have umbrellas and have tried the triangle shades (tie-down spots weren’t where they were needed).
Lora Green says
October 16, 2017 at 8:26 amChelsea! Love this idea…. super smart and it looks so clean and well done! We hung lights over our deck in a previous home and I always felt like it looked messy, and temporary (we attached them to whatever we could find — tree branches, gutter clip — lol).
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
October 16, 2017 at 10:10 amThanks, Lora! I love that I can hang plants on them too! 🙂 ~Chelsea
Michelle says
April 24, 2019 at 6:51 pmWhat size shepherds hooks did you use?
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
April 29, 2019 at 1:12 pmHi Michelle! My hooks are 84″ tall. ~Chelsea
Dawn says
June 5, 2020 at 2:10 pmI was wondering if you have to predrill holes where the conduit screws go into the 1 x 4 or can u just screw them right in?
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
June 8, 2020 at 8:13 amDawn, It never hurts to pre-drill, especially if you’re attaching close to the edge or end of the board. ~Chelsea
Theresa Coglianese says
July 14, 2020 at 10:13 pmhow many shepherd hooks did you buy to attach to the deck. I have three corners to my desk which isn’t large. so I would need three hooks, then you cut a 4×4 piece of wood so the hook is as close to the deck as possible and used the ? Also when you screwed the lights to the house, do you have siding or wood and does it matter? I was hoping for a little swag rather than a straight line and would also use the conduit grip to the wood, but when you get to thhe house where do you attach the light to? I’m confused and I watched your video a few times, but sometimes you showed it from the opposite angle or your hands were in the way. I’m not criticizing I was just ho ping for more detailed information.
Chelsea Lipford Wolf says
July 15, 2020 at 8:33 amHi Theresa! I used cup hooks on my vinyl soffit to hang the lights next to the house. It doesn’t matter if you have wood or vinyl. Then I used 4 shepherd hooks around my deck. There was plenty of room in between the hooks for the lights to swag. I used a 1×4 on my existing 4×4 posts to make them flush with my handrails on top. Then I attached the conduit straps to the 1×4 to hold the shepherd hooks in place. I hope that helps clarify any questions you have! ~Chelsea