Your balcony is a multi-purpose space where you may host other people for dinner or spend your days lazing around in the sun.
Some people use their balconies to read, study, or enjoy a gentle breeze.
In terms of value, balconies are highly vaunted amenities that make apartments stand out.
If you have a balcony in your home, you likely want to take some time to celebrate the joy it brings.
One way of doing so is decorating your balcony and making sure that it is a safe yet fun space for you to hang out with your friends.
You could curate a whole environment where you have a backdrop for your best memories.
Hanging string lights on your balcony is a great place to start. If you’re not sure how to do that, we’re here to help.
Read on as we tell you all you need to know about string lights and how to hang them on your balcony.
What Do You Need to Do to Hang String Lights on a Balcony?
It’s good to start with a clean space to hang your string lights easily. Here are a few things to consider:
Plan it out
If you want to cover your entire balcony, you may want to measure things. You will need:
- A paper
- A pencil
- A tape measure
This will allow you to quickly sketch the patio layout and label it with basic measurements.
You would also need to plan for anything you may need, such as a power source or a tree to help you hang the lights.
Pick out What Method You Want to Follow
You could opt for several methods when hanging up string lights. Your balcony might have limited space, but there’s a lot that you could do with it. You must decide on a method before you begin.
How to Hang String Lights on Balcony?
Good lighting is great for the mood you want to impart on your balcony. There are several ways that you can hang string lights on your patio. Let’s take a look:
Drape Lights Strings All Above Your Balcony
You want to search for a place with a ceiling or support system, preferably above a balcony that can hold up your string lights.
You can then attach string lights to the rafters and let them fall in a slight curve over your balcony.
You can then take the loose end and add it to another section of the balcony ceiling so that you have another place to hook it up.
There are a number of ways that you can make this work:
- For example, you can drape the lights so the ends are on the opposite edges of the ceiling.
- Suppose you feel like you don’t have a lot of space on your balcony. You can find another pillar to attach your string lights. You can even use your balcony railing if that’s what you need.
- You can also add string lights on only one wall. If you want to add it to two walls, you can do that too. The placement depends on the kind of perimeters you have.
Display String Lights on the Wall as an Easy Lighting Solution
You can take your string lights and hang them up on one end of the wall. There are a number of ways that you can hang them depending on the space and situation.
It’s best not to try anything invasive when hanging your string lights. So it would help if you didn’t try to hook up any nails on the concrete wall.
Zigzag
You can create super different looks depending on the kind of look you want to go for. You can zig-zag the string or apply it in super different ways.
Personal Touch
If you want to make the whole look more personal, you can go as far as attaching pictures to the light so that they light up and give you a hint of nostalgia as you enter the balcony.
Go Minimal
If you want the look to be more minimalistic, you can hang up another chunky pair of string lights behind the sitting space, depending on the look you want.
Go Festive with Fairy Lights
You don’t just have to use string lights in one color. You can use multicolored strings of fairy lights that can pop up all over the balcony for a festive look.
If you’re near the seasons, you may want to give the space a welcoming glow so that people want to hang out with you.
The balcony can also serve as a way for you to remind people outside the building that you’re a fun personality!
You can go the extra mile by looping some fairy lights around your balcony railing for an easy and effortless look.
Use the Foliage and Other Support Features
Many people use balconies to keep things like plants so they can receive adequate sun. A great idea is to loop the lights around the plant for a super cool décor piece.
All you need is an extension cord on the balcony and attach the lights in any way you want. You can use it to make a comfortable glow or a great picture background.
Make the Most Out of Your Balcony Railing
Railings are an excellent way for you to show off the lights without having to add any attachments to your balcony. You can go looking for the best string lights online or choose the ones you have to loop all over the railing.
This is a super permanent way of attaching your string lights. It can create a friendly, consistent glow to the kind of outdoor space that you have.
You can opt for battery-powered lights or use standard ones if you have a power outlet nearby.
One thing to note about battery-powered lights is that you might need to frequently replenish their batteries.
Pair it With Other Materials
If you feel like your string lights are not the right kind and you want to add more, then you can pair them with other materials.
Many people pair string lights with materials like bamboo to hide the view of their balcony from the rest of the world.
It adds a layer of privacy you may not have previously, and it will give your whole balcony a different look altogether.
You can also add string lights that come in the form of a lantern so that the lights are brighter against the opaque background.
Another thing to remember is that you can keep things as simple and as complex as you like. However, be careful.
If you’re going to be using multiple string lights, then you’re going to need to have multiple extension cords.
So, make sure you’re being safe. You don’t want to get tangled up in a mess you can’t control.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can String Lights Be Left On Overnight?
If you’ve finally managed to hang your string lights overnight, you have to make sure that you’re really careful with them.
Turn them off before you’re heading to bed as string lights can be extremely flammable. LED lights can overheat, and a fire may occur if you don’t notice it initially.
There are many incidents of LED strips and lights becoming flammable and causing major fires which is extremely dangerous.
Thus, it’s better that you turn on all string lights before you head to bed. You should also unplug the switch just to be careful.
What Happens When You Use Too Many String Lights At Once?
People generally advise against using too many string lights at once as the heat of one can amplify the heat of the others.
String lights also have a maximum wattage that they can handle and many string lights also come with a fuse so that when you connect too many together at once, there could be an issue.
The fuse is there so that you don’t accidentally blow up all your string lights and cause a fire. If you use too many string lights at once, there is a likelier chance that you will have a fire.
It may also happen that the string lights all burst and cause physical damage to people and the property which is why you should use multiple outlets for any lighting of this sort.
Can String Lights Be Left Out in The Rain?
There are specific string lights that would take issue with the rain. There are lights that are waterproof and there are lights that are not waterproof.
You must check to ensure that the string lights you have can handle the rain before you leave them out.
Final Thoughts
There are many ways that you can hang string lights on a balcony. However, the most important thing to remember is that you can have as much fun with the lights as you would want.
You can use string lights that are tiny or big. You could also use colorful ones and change things whenever you feel like it.
It’s all about having an idea of what you want to achieve and making it happen. Once you try to do that, you can get the perfect look for your balcony!