12 Ways to Hang Outdoor Patio Lights Without Nails

Enjoying your patio can be enhanced with patio lights. It will also add beauty to your home and improve its curb appeal. But is there a way to hang them without putting nails in the wall? 

One way to hang patio lights without nails is by using adhesive hooks or gutter hooks. Alternatively, you can stick or tape them to your wall. You can also hang them on trees, bushes, posts, potted plants, and your fence. Another way to brighten up your patio is by using lanterns.

In this article, we will discuss the benefits of installing patio lights. We will also discuss the best methods for hanging patio lights without nails. 

Why Install Patio Lights Without Nails

Before we get into that, let us explain the benefits of installing patio lights and why installing without nails is better. 

Nails can damage your home

Whether you can use nails to install your patio lighting depends on what kind of siding your home has. For example, if you have stucco siding, you cannot hang your patio lights with nails. You may also want to be able to move your patio lights from one place to another, and using nails for installation will not allow you to do that. 

Improves the curb appeal of your home

Another reason to install patio lights outside your home is that it improves the curb appeal of your home. When you have a well-lit patio, you can demand more for your home when listing it online as you can take beautiful photos of your home and patio at night.

If anyone drives by your home and you have a for sale sign on your front yard, a well-lit patio will make your home more attractive. More people will notice it, and they will be more interested in buying. They will also be willing to pay more. 

Improves your quality of life

Hanging outdoor patio lights simply improves your quality of life. You can spend time with your family on the patio during warm weather evenings. You can also hang out outside at night, reading, working, or watching Netflix. It simply allows you to enjoy your patio much more. 

Below, we’ll explain how to hang lights on your patio without using nails. We’ll be talking about patio light strings, which are usually discussed when people refer to patio lights. 

Adhesive Hooks

One of the easiest ways to install patio lights without nails is by sticking hooks. You don’t have to use glue for this. Just buy adhesive hooks on Amazon, like these Command Wire Hooks.

If you want to hang your patio lighting, simply peel off the adhesive and attach the hook to the wall. 

The advantage of using this type of hook is that they are pretty strong and you can remove them anytime without dealing with holes in your wall, which you would have if you used screws. However, there are also some disadvantages. 

For example, you may not be able to move the hooks from one place to another at any time. The adhesive part usually loses its strength when you peel it off the wall and may not stick to another part of the wall. 

Additionally, depending on what product you get, you may notice some adhesive residue sticking to your wall after you remove your lamps (if you try to remove them). This adhesive residue can ruin the appearance of your home, 

If you have an indoor patio and have wallpaper on the wall, you should be aware that you should only use adhesive hooks if you plan to leave them forever (or at least until you decide to buy new wallpaper). You cannot remove adhesive hooks from wallpaper without ruining the wallpaper. 

With other adhesive hooks, you can simply remove excess glue from the wall. Use a hairdryer to soften any remaining glue that doesn’t come off when you peel off the hooks. Then use a piece of dental floss to scrape off the remaining glue. 

Use Tape

If you can’t find adhesive hooks or are afraid the adhesive will be too strong, you can always use tape instead. Try to use clear tape, as it will be less noticeable. Clear tape also leaves less adhesive residue when removed. 

On the other hand, using tape that is usually stronger may look unsightly on your wall. It may also leave behind gray material when you peel it off. 

Consider using a hairdryer to heat the tape if you need to remove tape residue. You can also carefully scrape it off with a knife to ensure you don’t damage the wall. Alternatively, create a solution of water and soap and gently use it on the tape residue. 

Use Staples

An alternative to using tape is to use staples. The advantage of staples is that they are generally more secure than tape. Tape can come loose, especially when it rains, which can cause your patio lighting to fall. On the other hand, staples can also damage your home. 

Of course, staples are only suitable for certain types of walls, especially wood. If you have stucco siding, you cannot use staples. 

Hang Them on Gutter Hooks

An alternative to using adhesive hooks is to use gutter hooks. Gutter hooks look like an S and hang, as the name suggests, on your gutter. At the other end of the hook, you can thread your patio lighting. 

The advantage of this method is that you can move the hooks from place to place whenever you want, as they are not attached to anything. The downside of this method is that if you want to hang your lights across your entire patio, you can only use gutter hooks for one side. On the other side, you will need to use one of the other methods in this article, such as hanging your hooks on trees or on your fence. 

Otherwise, you can only install your patio lighting on one side of your patio, which may not be enough to fully illuminate your entire patio for your needs. 

Hang Them on Trees

If you have trees near your patio, use them to hang your patio lighting. Some people find a branch and wrap their light strings around a branch, but there are better ways to use trees to hang patio lights. Simply drill a hole in the tree. Then install a hook in the hole. Once you have attached all your hooks, thread your light strings through the hooks. 

This method is perfect if you have trees, and it also helps you avoid damage to your walls. Adhesive hooks can damage some wall materials. On the other hand, if you don’t have trees, you can’t use this method. 

You can use trees in conjunction with another method. For example, you can install some hooks on trees and use your railing if you don’t have enough trees. 

When drilling the holes into your trees, be sure to calculate the spacing between each hole and make sure there is enough space for your patio lighting. If you make the holes farther apart, the string will be more taut. On the other hand, if you drill the holes closer together, the string will be looser. 

Hang Them on Your Railing

You can also hang the lights on your railing, which is a great option if you don’t have trees outside your patio. You can always drill holes into your railing and hang hooks on it, but that will ruin your railing. You can also use adhesive hooks and attach them to your railing. 

Railings are often cheaper to replace or repair than the entire facade of your home, making it a great place to attach adhesive hooks. Instead of adhesive hooks, you can also tack the patio lights to your railing or even stick them with tape. 

Another advantage of using your railing is that you can attach your lights to the underside of your railing. This way, the clips or tape will not be noticeable, and when you decide to move your lights, the tape residue will not be as visible. 

Hang Them on Bushes

If you don’t have trees but are willing to buy bushes to set up around your porch, consider hanging your lights on the bushes. Simply thread the string around the branches. The bushes can be on or off your porch, but if they are outside your porch, make sure they are tall enough to shine light onto your porch. 

Hang Them on Posts

You can always install new posts or poles to hang your light from. You don’t have to install them in the ground; just buy some buckets and fill them with concrete. Place the posts in the middle of the buckets before filling them with concrete so that they stand sturdily. You can then install hooks on the posts. 

If you choose this method, you can use nails because you won’t be damaging anything. You can move the posts anytime or install new posts. That’s the advantage of this method – the flexibility it gives you. On the other hand, if you don’t want to use nails for any reason, you can always buy adhesive hooks and use them on your posts. 

You can also attach the light strings to the posts or use tape. These are great options if you don’t want to use hooks for any reason. 

Use Potted Plants

An alternative to using posts in concrete-filled buckets or barrels is to install the posts in potted plants. Using potted plants will make your patio look much prettier. 

However, you need to make sure the potted plants are heavy enough to not tip over. All it takes is one pot to tip over to create a domino effect that will knock over all the other potted plants with light strings attached to them. 

Hang Them on Your Roof

If your patio is covered, just attach your lights to the roof. You can install horizontal wooden posts on the underside of your roof if you only have a metal roof. If you have a metal roof and don’t want to install wood, you can consider attaching your patio lights with tape. If you have a wooden roof, you can also use staples. 

Hang Them on Your Fence

If you have an outdoor patio on the ground, consider installing a wooden privacy fence. You can then drape and hang your patio lights on this fence. Alternatively, you can stick or staple the cords to your fence or attach adhesive hooks and thread the cord on them.

This serves a dual purpose – you will get some privacy from the neighbors and you will get light. The lights also help block the neighbors’ view. 

Hang Them on Your Pool Fence

If you have an outdoor pool, why not hang the patio lighting above your pool? You can attach them to the pool fence on both sides of your pool. Swimming on summer nights will become much more exciting and enjoyable, and if you rent out your pool, the lighting will make it more attractive. 

Here is a great YouTube video about the best ways to hang your patio lighting:

Things You Need to Do When Hanging Patio Lights

In this section, we will describe the things you need to do when hanging your patio lights without nails. 

Choose the best location to hang your lights

Where you hang your lights will depend on multiple factors. For example, do you have an outlet nearby where you can plug in your lights? If not, you will need an extension cord. If you hang your lights on trees, you usually need a longer extension cord to power your lights. 

Use a measuring tape to figure out how long your cord needs to be. 

Buy the things you need

In addition to the actual lights, you will need basic tools, such as a measuring tape (to measure your light string). If you decide to tape up your patio lights, you will need to buy tape. If you want to staple them, you will need to buy a staple gun and staples that work with wood. Using a stapler meant for paper usually won’t cut it for wood surfaces. 

You can buy adhesive hooks or S-shaped gutter hooks if you decide on one of the methods that involve them. 

You may also want to buy an extension cord if you are hanging your lights far from an outlet. 

If you are hanging your lights on your gutter, on trees, or high up on the wall, make sure you have a secure ladder that you can use. If you are hanging it on your railing or closer to the wall, you won’t need to use a ladder. 

Other Ways to Brighten Your Patio

In addition to lighting, there are many ways to brighten up the space on your patio. For example, you can place lanterns on the table or around the patio, which will provide some light and create a cozy atmosphere. If you want to brighten up your patio, add a fire pit in the middle and have a fire. 

When the whole family sits around a fire, roasting marshmallows with pretty patio lights above their heads, memories are created that you’ll never forget. Set up a Christmas tree during the holiday season if you celebrate Christmas (or if you celebrate Hanukkah, buy a large electric menorah to decorate your patio).

Conclusion

There are many ways to hang patio lights without nails. Whether you choose adhesive hooks, hanging hooks on your trees, buying potted plants and attaching posts to them, or simply sticking your lights to your railing, you will make your patio much prettier. Be cautious when working on ladders.