{"title":"Garden string lights","description":"\u003cp\u003eChoosing outdoor string lights for a garden comes down to three things: the location (covered terrace, gazebo, tree, fence), the available power supply (mains, solar, rechargeable) and the desired look. The length is then measured along the actual route, fixings included, before comparing models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"choisir\"\u003eHow do you choose outdoor string lights for a garden?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYou choose outdoor string lights for a garden according to the location, the available power supply and the desired look: festoon with visible bulbs or discreet LED. The length is measured along the actual route, fixings included, not along the length of the garden. A cable that is too short forces you to pull it tight, which damages the fixings and breaks the line.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMeasure the length along the actual route\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTake a flexible tape measure and follow the exact path: from one anchor point to the next, with the detours, the posts and the drop down to the socket. Add the margin needed to reach the support or the power supply. A drawing on paper stops you ordering too short; it is the first thing to do before looking at \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003eall our string lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFestoon look or discreet LED: what effect on the terrace\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eString lights with visible bulbs draw a warm line above a table, with points of light you can see from afar: that is the summer dinner look. An \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led\"\u003eLED string light\u003c\/a\u003e with a fine wire disappears during the day and outlines a structure without dominating it. The choice is about what you want to see in the evening, not about the spec sheet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"emplacement\"\u003eWhere should you install outdoor string lights in the garden?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe most useful locations are the terrace and the balcony, above a table or along a railing, then the gazebo and the pergola, and finally the trees and fences around the edge. Avoid running a cable above a walkway without enough headroom, or it will be pulled down at the first movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eTerrace, balcony, gazebo: the locations that work\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove a table, the string light illuminates faces and plates without glare: that is the most common use. On a balcony, a fine wire along the railing is enough to extend the living room outdoors, and a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-rechargeables\"\u003erechargeable string light for a balcony\u003c\/a\u003e saves you hunting for a socket. On a gazebo, the string light follows the existing beams: no invented fixings, no structure to add.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCorners without a socket: trees, hedges, the back of the garden\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhere no cable reaches, a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-solaire\"\u003esolar string light for the back of the garden\u003c\/a\u003e settles the question of routing. In a tree, you go around sturdy branches with flexible ties, without tightening against the bark or nailing. Along a hedge or a wire fence, the continuous line sits flush with the foliage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eChoosing your string light according to the location\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLocation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRecommended power supply\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eIP rating to aim for\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eLook\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePoint of attention\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCovered terrace, awning\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains 220V or rechargeable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVisible festoon bulbs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSocket sheltered from water\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalcony\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRechargeable or solar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFine wire, low bulk\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo-drill fixing on railing\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGazebo, pergola\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMains 220V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44 to IP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFestoon string light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeadroom above head height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTree, hedge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSmall bulbs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSun exposure for recharging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFence, wire mesh\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar or 24V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContinuous line\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCable clear of walkways\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVegetable patch, planter\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIP44 to IP65\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow light\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMoisture from watering\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"alimentation\"\u003eSolar garden string lights or mains string lights: which to choose?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSolar string lights need no socket or cable back to the house: they suit trees, hedges and the back of the garden. On mains, the string light keeps the same intensity as long as it is plugged in, which suits a terrace used for a long time in the evening. In between, 24V low voltage and rechargeable are real options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSolar depends on how much sun the location gets: under dense foliage, recharging is slower. A \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-220v\"\u003e220V mains LED string light\u003c\/a\u003e needs an outdoor extension lead and a protected socket, in exchange for stable brightness. \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-24v\"\u003e24V low voltage over a long run\u003c\/a\u003e requires a transformer, which has to be sheltered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ccaption\u003eSolar, mains, low voltage or rechargeable\u003c\/caption\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003ePower supply\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSocket needed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eSuited to\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eMain constraint\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSolar\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTrees, hedges, back of garden\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDepends on sunlight\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e220V\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTerrace, pergola, continuous length\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eExtension lead and socket protection\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24V low voltage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes, via a transformer\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLong exposed runs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTransformer to be sheltered\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRechargeable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNo, occasional charging\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBalcony, table, moving around\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRuntime depends on charge\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"ip\"\u003eWhat IP protection for outdoor string lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe IP rating indicates a light's resistance to dust and water. An IP44 string light withstands splashes and suits an awning or a pergola; an IP65 string light resists water jets and can be used in the open air. Check the rating stated on each product page, model by model.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwo families therefore stand out: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip44\"\u003eIP44 LED string lights under an awning\u003c\/a\u003e, to be kept out of driving rain, and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-ip65\"\u003eIP65 LED string lights for direct exposure\u003c\/a\u003e, designed to stay outside. A high rating does not remove the need to look after the connections: it is often the socket or the connector that causes trouble before the wire itself. Before winter, inspect the junctions and shelter the transformer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"couleur\"\u003eWhat light colour should you choose for garden string lights?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWarm white gives an amber light, close to a filament bulb, which warms a wooden terrace or a dining corner. Cool white lights more sharply and suits a walkway or a staircase. For a garden, warm white remains the most common. In practice, the colour temperature is around 2700 to 3000 K for warm white, above 4000 K for cool white.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eLiving room and terrace: keeping the same shade on both sides\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf the string light is visible from inside, match it with the living room light. A shade close to your living room lamps avoids the unpleasant contrast of a very yellow garden behind a room lit in white. It is the same reflex as for an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-murale-chambre\"\u003eindoor wall string light\u003c\/a\u003e: one family of whites per visible space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWalkway, staircase and kitchen: when to prefer a crisp light\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn a path or a staircase, a crisper light makes the steps readable; that is what a \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-escalier\"\u003estring light to illuminate a staircase without glare\u003c\/a\u003e allows. The same reasoning applies to modern kitchen decor: under a worktop or at the top of a unit, a crisp light remains more readable than an amber white, whereas kitchen decoration in a dining corner takes warm white very well.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"style\"\u003eZen, Japanese or wrought-iron garden decoration: how do you match the string light?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn a zen or Japanese garden, the string light stays discreet: fine wire, small bulbs, low light and few runs. On wrought iron or stone, favour a line that follows the existing structure, without multiplying points of light or changing the style of the garden. The string light highlights what is there, it does not replace it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eZen, Japanese and stone garden: the discreet line\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWith an \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-exterieur\"\u003eoutdoor string light set\u003c\/a\u003e designed for outdoor use, choose the finest version for a gravel or moss garden. On a stone wall or a bench, grazing light brings out the relief without lighting the walkway. A wire run along a border is enough; there is no need to cover the whole surface.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eVegetable patch, planter and wrought iron: low light and structure\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the vegetable patch and in a planter, a low light illuminates the plants without glare; the moisture from watering means you must check the IP rating. On wrought iron, follow the scrollwork or the railing rather than running a wire across. For a warmer look around a table, the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-guinguette\"\u003efestoon style with visible bulbs\u003c\/a\u003e remains the simplest to match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"installation\"\u003eHow do you install and fix garden string lights safely?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRun the string light along an existing support, railing, beam or trellis, with fixings designed for outdoor use, without pinching the cable. The socket or transformer stays sheltered from water, and the cable does not cross a walkway at head height. No drilling is needed in most cases.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eFixing without drilling\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHooks, clips, reusable screw fixings or simple flexible ties: the support decides. On a metal railing, ties that grip without marking the paint are enough. On a wooden beam, a screwed hook holds better than adhesive, which gives way with moisture. To extend a line along a facade, see \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-lumineuse-mural\"\u003ehow to extend the line on a wall\u003c\/a\u003e with the same type of fixing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eSocket, extension lead and cable routing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-lumineuses\"\u003eoutdoor string light\u003c\/a\u003e on mains needs a protected socket, often an extension lead designed for outdoors. Run the cable along a border or under mulch, never across a path. The transformer of a low-voltage model goes under an awning, raised off the ground.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"budget\"\u003eHow do you make garden string lights last?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe budget depends on the length, the power supply and the finish: an entry-level solar model does not have the same lifespan as a festoon string light with a reinforced cable. Look at the IP rating, the wire material and whether the bulbs can be replaced before comparing prices. These three points make the difference over several seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat sets an entry-level model apart from a durable piece\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn affordable model gets you through a season or an event. A durable piece states an IP rating consistent with its use, a flexible sheathed wire that does not harden in the cold and bulbs that can be changed one by one. A better-made \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlandes-led-solaires\"\u003esolar LED string light\u003c\/a\u003e is also recognisable by its panel, larger and better oriented.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eMaintenance and off-season storage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the end of the season, switch off the power, wipe the string light and check the junctions before storing it coiled without tight folds, in a dry container. Rechargeable models are stored charged, indoors. A string light left outside all year is checked in spring, connector by connector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTo compare the families before deciding, browse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-guinguette\"\u003ethe festoon style\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003ethe whole lighting catalogue\u003c\/a\u003e and, if your project involves several pieces, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003ediscover all Designix lights\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions about garden string lights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eSolar garden string lights: do they light enough?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA solar string light is for drawing a path and creating an atmosphere, not for lighting a work area. It suits trees, hedges and the back of the garden where no socket reaches. For a terrace used for a long time in the evening, a mains version keeps the same intensity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eCan you leave outdoor string lights outside all year?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt all depends on the IP rating stated on the product page: an IP65 string light is designed to stay in the open air, an IP44 one goes under an awning or a pergola. Before winter, check the connections, shelter the transformer and take down rechargeable models.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat light colour for a living room or a terrace?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eWarm white sets a dining corner mood, on a terrace as in a living room. Cool white makes outlines sharper and suits walkways. If the string light is visible from inside, keeping the same shade on both sides avoids an unpleasant contrast in the evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow do you light a stone bench or the back of a garden without a socket?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eChoose a solar or rechargeable string light, placed near the bench, on a stake or a low branch, to avoid running a cable the whole length of the garden. Light placed at low height illuminates the bench without dazzling those sitting on it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eHow many metres of string light for a terrace?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeasure the actual route with a flexible tape measure, from anchor point to anchor point, counting the detours and the fixings. Add a margin to reach the socket or the next support. A drawing on paper stops you ordering too short and pulling the cable tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 id=\"commander\"\u003eOrdering from Designix\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eEach model in the collection shows its IP rating, its power supply and its dimensions on its page: that is where the choice is confirmed before buying. Payment is secure, delivery is tracked and returns are possible; Designix customer service answers if a technical point is blocking. For a complete project, start again from \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/luminaire\"\u003eall Designix lights\u003c\/a\u003e or from the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/guirlande-exterieur\"\u003eoutdoor string lights\u003c\/a\u003e hub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"CollectionPage\",\"name\":\"Garden string lights: how to choose and install the right light\",\"description\":\"Garden string lights: a guide to choosing solar or mains, IP44 or IP65, and installing your light on a terrace, balcony, gazebo or tree.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande-pour-jardin\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"name\":\"Designix\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\"},\"speakable\":{\"@type\":\"SpeakableSpecification\",\"cssSelector\":[\"h1\",\"h2\"]}},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Lighting\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/luminaire\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"String lights\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":4,\"name\":\"Garden string lights: how to choose and install the right light\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/designix.fr\/collections\/guirlande-pour-jardin\"}]},{\"@type\":\"FAQPage\",\"mainEntity\":[{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Solar garden string lights: do they light enough?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"A solar string light is for drawing a path and creating an atmosphere, not for lighting a work area. It suits trees, hedges and the back of the garden where no socket reaches. For a terrace used for a long time in the evening, a mains version keeps the same intensity.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Can you leave outdoor string lights outside all year?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"It all depends on the IP rating stated on the product page: an IP65 string light is designed to stay in the open air, an IP44 one goes under an awning or a pergola. Before winter, check the connections, shelter the transformer and take down rechargeable models.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"What light colour for a living room or a terrace?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Warm white sets a dining corner mood, on a terrace as in a living room. Cool white makes outlines sharper and suits walkways. If the string light is visible from inside, keeping the same shade on both sides avoids an unpleasant contrast in the evening.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you light a stone bench or the back of a garden without a socket?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Choose a solar or rechargeable string light, placed near the bench, on a stake or a low branch, to avoid running a cable the whole length of the garden. Light placed at low height illuminates the bench without dazzling those sitting on it.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"Should you buy cheap outdoor string lights or a durable model?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"An entry-level model gets you through a season or an event. To stay outside all year, it is better to look at the IP rating, the wire material and whether the bulbs can be replaced: that is what sets an affordable model apart from a festoon string light designed to last.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How many metres of string light for a terrace?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Measure the actual route with a flexible tape measure, from anchor point to anchor point, counting the detours and the fixings. Add a margin to reach the socket or the next support. A drawing on paper stops you ordering too short and pulling the cable tight.\"}},{\"@type\":\"Question\",\"name\":\"How do you hang a string light in a tree without damaging it?\",\"acceptedAnswer\":{\"@type\":\"Answer\",\"text\":\"Run the wire around sturdy branches without tightening it against the bark, with flexible ties rather than nails. Keep the cable clear of pruning areas and check that the weight is not pulling on a single branch. A solar string light saves you running an extension lead back up.\"}}]}]}\u003c\/script\u003e","products":[],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0677\/8598\/2228\/collections\/designix-entete-guirlande-pour-jardin-v1.jpg?v=1792489324","url":"https:\/\/designix-lighting.com\/collections\/outdoor-string-lights-2.oembed","provider":"Designix","version":"1.0","type":"link"}