How To Create a Light Canopy
Written by: Millie Breakspeare
As you spend lazy evenings in your garden hosting friends and family, it’s a great time to add some summer sparkle to the space in the form of a light canopy. It brings a twinkle of magic and envelopes everyone in a golden glowing bubble – perfect for alfresco meals. Or, you can add a canopy to a cosy nook and feel like you’re surrounded by stars.
But how do I make a light canopy? We’ve pulled together our best tips for hanging string lights with ease, to create the perfect light canopy for your garden space.
Planning Your Structure
Before anything else, you need to decide where you want to build your light canopy. The easiest option is to use an existing frame e.g. greenhouses, pergolas, walls, and fences. Just use screws, hooks, and clips to hang your string lights and you’re ready to host a summer garden party.
If you want to create a canopy in a different area of the space, like above an outdoor dining table for example, poles can be staked into your lawn or planters so festoon lights hang overhead while you enjoy an alfresco meal with family and friends.
There are also some other things to consider when setting up your canopy:
- Festoon poles are a great choice from a styling perspective, as the black colour creates a floating festoons effect at night.
- When using poles, it’s a good idea to use potting soil and rocks to stabilise them in planters.
- Choose what light pattern you wish to have while you’re planning your structure (straight lines, curves and drapes, or crisscrossing) so you can get your dream light canopy right first time.
Selecting Your String Lights
There are so many different types of string lights out there, from fairy lights to connectables, to festoon lights, to micro lights. See where your creativity takes you. The only thing to remember is that whichever lights you choose, they must be weather resistant and outdoor rated, so any British summer showers don’t ruin the fun.
It’s also important to consider your power source. Does your garden get enough sun throughout the day to power solar lights? Do you have a suitable weatherproofed outdoor socket for plug-in lights, or would battery lights offer you the flexibility you need? Choose the power source that best fits your garden so you’re not left in darkness when the sun goes down.
If you want to create a canopy for a large outdoor space, connectable lights are a brilliant option – Pro Connectable String Lights can connect up to 200m from the same plug! Use an indoor socket or weatherproofed outdoor socket to make connectable lights sparkle.
The final thing to decide when picking out string lights is bulb type. Cool white bulbs bring a modern aesthetic to your garden, while warm white lights cast a welcoming golden glow that makes you feel cosy under the night sky.
Personal Touches
Finish your light canopy off with small touches to add visual interest and a part of yourself to the space. Set lanterns on floors, shelves, and tables to add levels to the space, as well as combining the sparkle of string lights with the soft glow of candlelight for a stunning light display. Why not also hang fabric lanterns from the top of the canopy so they can sway in the gentle summer breeze, and create a relaxed seasonal atmosphere.
Drape flower garlands and wreaths of blue and white under the canopy to add pops of colour amongst the shine, as well as an element of softness with the petals and leaves. You can also wrap micro lights and flower fairy lights around plants and furniture if you feel like you don’t have enough sparkle already.
Making your own light canopy doesn’t have to take a lot of effort. Existing structures and poles let you hang string lights with ease. Then just let your creativity shine and make the space your own, ready for summer fun.
