Putting up patio lighting tonight in the backyard. Does that mean you can come over for drinks? Possibly. Re-posting this blog from 3 years ago on quick & cheap patio lighting.

Cruise to Home Depot

Pick up 4 electrical conduit pipes (10′ feet each, 3/4″ diameter)
1 piece of PVC pipe (5+′ long, 1″ diameter)
4 conduit hangers with bolts (1-2″ long)
4 stainless steel S hooks (1.5-2″ long)
3 cans of Rustoleum spray paint

While you’re there, get some string lights. They come in all sizes and prices but I recommend at least 40-50′ of lighting.

Start by cutting the PVC into four 12″ pieces. PVC is easily cut with a hand saw. Cut the top of each piece straight so you have a level surface to hammer. The bottom should be cut at angle so it can be pushed into the ground more easily.

Decide where you’d like each pole to be along the perimeter of the patio. Using a rubber hammer, pound each piece of PVC into the ground – leaving the top few inches exposed. Make sure the PVC is straight into the ground – otherwise pole will lean. (Doing this during the summer or fall is a lot easier because the ground is soft.)

Attach the conduit hangers to the top of each piece of electrical conduit and put the S hooks (not pictured) through the hole in hanger.

Spray paint conduits, hangers & S hooks with Rustoleum. Watch your background!

Drop conduits into PVC and then string lights from S hooks. Boom. Done.