The Best Durable Outdoor String Lights for Backyard Ambience
Backyards are still a popular place to spend time this summer, as well as a great location for catching up with long-missed family and friends. All the more reason to create a whimsical atmosphere that you can enjoy all season long. These string lights can turn your yard into a vacation destination.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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$44 from Wayfair
Create a wall of brightness with these sheet lights that can hang from a balcony, deck, or window. The 6-foot cord length plugs into a wall.
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$31 from Wayfair
This 25-foot-long set of bulb lights is rated for wet locations and can handle direct water, making them ideal for outdoor areas that aren't covered.
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$20 from Ikea
Light up your outdoor space with multi-colored bulbs. The 23-foot-long strand runs on solar power, so make sure you place them where they can catch sun during the day.
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$15 from Ikea
These 12 mini lanterns emit blue and orange light for a festive feel, and don't need to be plugged in.
$50 from Lowe's
These LED bulbs bring a festive feel to an outdoor eating area.
They are also waterproof and shatter resistant.
$70 from Lowe's
Turn your patio into a French bistro with this set of 48-foot-long plug-in LED lights. They are designed to stay up year-round through all weather conditions, and are linkable so you can make the strand even longer to fit your space.
$17 from Lowe's
Bamboo gives these lights a beachy feel that's perfect for a patio umbrella or tropical-themed decor. The set of 10 lights is waterproof as well.
$28 from Lowe's
These charming jelly jar lights are plastic, so no worries about one dropping and shattering glass on your space. Each jar has eight LED lights for sparkle, and the whole set is rated waterproof.
$50 from Home Depot
With 48 feet of LED bulbs, you'll be able to create a twinkling setting in one shot. The weather-resistant lights plug in and offer 40 lumens of warm lighting.
$19 from Home Depot
The vintage feel of this 12-foot strand of lights sets a perfect scene for a festive evening.
$30 from Home Depot
This nautical string light set is perfect for a beach house or just creating the look of one. The 19-foot strand runs on solar energy, and has an on/off switch. However, they can be left on and will automatically turn themselves off when the sun is up.
Starting at $31 from Etsy
Add some fantasy to your garden with mushroom-themed ground lights fit for an enchanted evening. The solar-powered lights reach 137 inches long and are available in multi-color or one shade only.
$32 from Amazon
Create colorful ambiance with these outdoor bulbs that can be customized to flash based on whatever music you're playing. The lights feature more than 20 color flashing combos.
$23 from Amazon
This affordable strand of 25 feet of string lights will brighten up any outdoor space. They feature end-to-end connections to make them even longer, and have a one year limited warranty.
$14 from Amazon
With 40 feet of rope lighting, this set can be wound around railings and posts with ease. Other standout features are eight lighting modes and 10 brightness levels, waterproof tubing, and a timer button.
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$25 from Amazon
Use your own jars with these waterproof solar lids with attached fairy lights to create a unique decorative look. The light sensor feature automatically turns on in the evenings and turns off in daytime.
$19 from Amazon
Set a magical scene with bright dragonfly lights in rainbow colors. The 21-foot-long strand is solar-powered and waterproof.
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