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Use existing architecture. Factor in outlet locations. Design a pattern for the lights. Choose your mounting points. Decide how to anchor the lights. Install wooden posts to anchor the lights to, if necessary. Measure the desired pattern using string. Buy enough outdoor lights to cover the pattern and a few spares.

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Before you do anything else, consider how you can use existing architecture to hang and anchor the lights. For instance, the roof of your home, trees on your property, fence posts along borders, and patio structures or awnings can be utilized to hang outdoor lights so that you don’t have to create separate posts to mount/anchor them to.  For example, string lights between your home and garage over your lawn. Alternatively, hang lights between your deck and posts you place throughout the yard. Obviously, you’ll need to be able to plug in the lights, so consider where the outdoor electrical outlets are located on your property. You’ll need to begin near an outlet with enough voltage to power the strings you want to use. Use an outlet on a circuit that does not have a lot of equipment plugged into it. If you plug too much equipment into one circuit, you'll trip the breaker and it will shut the power off. You may want taut strings or draping lines. Common patterns for outdoor lights include straight lines, v patterns or diamonds, x patterns, and checkerboards. Think about how much light you need and where you want to concentrate it. Also, consider how far from the ground the lights should be so that people can easily walk underneath them, if applicable.  For example, you may want to zigzag a string of lights over your fire pit or patio area. Alternatively, you could wind strings of lights between patio posts. Use eaves, beams, posts, or trees for mounting points. Pick mounting points at regular intervals, such as every 5 feet (1.5 m). Use at least 2 mounting points per string, and make sure that each mounting point is at the same height. You can purchase guide wire, wire rope clamps, eye to eye turnbuckles, zip ties, and screw hooks to add extra stability if you’re stringing the lights between structures. Or, for a simpler attachment, you can use a staple gun to secure the strings of lights directly to wooden fixtures. If you don’t have enough existing beams, structures, or trees, you can easily make wooden posts to anchor the lights to. Put 4 by 4 in (10 by 10 cm) wooden posts of the desired height in stainless steel buckets. Mix cement and pour it into the buckets. Allow the cement to dry completely, then place the buckets around your property at the desired mounting points. String is the perfect tool to help you determine how many lights you’ll need. Run a string from the outlet you intend to use to each mounting point. Then, measure the string to determine how long the light string should be or many sets of strings you’ll need to complete the pattern. There are many different types of string lights, from icicle and fairy lights to globe or rope lights. Choose what you like best, and make sure you get a little more than enough to create the pattern you mapped out. Always buy lights designed specifically for outdoor locations to ensure they can withstand the elements.  Star-shaped string lights would provide soft light and enhance the outdoor ambience. Colored lights would provide a party-like feel to your outdoor space, and could be tailored to holiday colors.