Which string lights are best for balconies and patios?

Which string lights are best for a deck or patio?

When choosing string lights for a deck or patio, it is easy to first think about length and the number of bulbs. But in practice, it is often the way the string lights are going to be installed that determines which choice is best.

At LY Sweden, we think round cable is often the most natural choice in many common installations. It is easy to work with and works well when the bulbs are meant to hang downwards, both for freer hanging installations and along walls, posts and railings. Flat cable is best suited for ceilings or underneath a structure where it can be installed with the flat side facing downwards and the bulbs hanging straight down.

Short answer

If you want a simple starting point, this is how we usually think about it:

• Round cable is best for most common deck and patio installations
• Flat cable is best for ceilings or surfaces where it can be installed correctly with the flat side facing down
• 1W bulbs are usually the best choice for cosy outdoor lighting
• 2200K usually gives the warmest and nicest feel

Why many people choose round cable

In many home environments, round cable is the easiest option to work with. It works well when the string lights need to:

• run along a wall
• follow posts or railings
• hang over a patio
• be attached to wire
• be installed so the bulbs hang naturally downwards

That is why we often recommend round cable for decks, patios, pergolas and other environments where the installation needs to be simple and flexible.

When flat cable is the best choice

Flat cable should not be chosen just because something is a fixed structure. What matters is that the cable can actually be installed in the right way.

We think flat cable is best suited:

• on ceilings
• under roof overhangs
• under pergolas or other covered structures
• where the flat side can face downwards and the bulbs hang straight down

In those situations, it looks both neat and natural.

Which brightness level is best?

On a deck or patio, most people want a warm and pleasant light, not the brightest possible lighting.

That is why we usually recommend 1W first.
2W works if you want a bit more light over a larger area or, for example, above a dining table.
3W is best when you want a clearer effect or have a larger and darker environment.

For most patios, 1W is the safest choice.

Which light colour is usually best?

We almost always think a warm light works best outdoors.

2200K is often what we recommend first, because it gives a soft and atmospheric feel.
If you want an even warmer look, amber can be beautiful.
If you want a slightly clearer, slightly whiter warm light, 2700K may be a better fit.

Do you need wire?

That depends on how the string lights are going to be installed. If they are going to hang freely over an area, between posts or over a more open part of the patio, wire is often a good idea. If they are going to be mounted close to a wall or ceiling, it is usually not needed.

We usually think of it like this:

• Longer freer hanging installation = wire is often smart
• fixed mounting against a surface = wire is not needed

Our recommendation

If we are to give one simple recommendation for decks and patios, we usually say:

• choose round cable for most common installations
• choose flat cable when it is going to be installed on a ceiling or underneath a surface where the flat shape is a good fit
• choose 1W if you want a cosy feel
• choose 2200K if you want warm evening lighting

That usually gives you a very good starting point.