11 Creative Rope Light Ideas For Your Garden

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Rope lighting is one outdoor landscape lighting element that can help create the final WOW moment we all want to achieve in our garden. A simple rope light can add a sparkle and say… “Hey… psst… the party is over here!”

Not only is rope lighting one of the easiest types of garden lighting to install. It can be purchased in an energy-efficient LED rope lights format as well as solar powered. They make for creating an ambiance in the garden easy. They look good as an outdoor Christmas string lighting decoration.

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Using this simple “lighting tool” you’ll have lots of ways to use and options to create a special mood for a garden party, backyard BBQ or just relaxing.

Need some ideas on how to use a rope light in the garden, check out these lighting projects below:

Before rushing out to buy any type of string lights or rope light take a walk around your garden and landscape.



I’d recommend taking this tour when the sun is going down and bring along a pad to sketch on and your camera, iPad or smartphone to snap some images. Don’t forget to look up… and take advantage of putting a using rope light on trees.

Use your imagination, have fun, take it slow, and watch how using outdoor rope light can transform a garden with “light at night!” Now for some ideas…

Highlight Walkways – Consider using rope lights to highlight walkways and sides of pavements. Check out this light rope maze at San Antonio Botanical Garden

Highlight Steps or Stairs – Light up the steps leading to a deck or patio area. To prevent any tripping make sure the lighting is secured and fitted properly.

Heating Mat – Using rope light is an easy way to create an inexpensive heating mat to start seeds and help speed up rooting!

Garden Bed Edges – One of my favorites lighting ideas is outlining the edge of a garden bed it makes for a cool looking, clean, crisp effect that really draws the eyes! Use U stakes to secure the rope lights along the edge of the garden bed.

Deck Lighting – If your patio is in need of lighting, wrap deck railings with rope light, if the deck has built-in seating put lights under the seating. Dress it up by using different colored lights. Over at Instructables they have complete and highly detailed how-to instructions.

Light Docks and Pool Area – Highlight swimming pool borders and outline docks using warm and soothing rope lighting.

Wrap Tree Trunks Branches – Create a festive look by wrapping tree trunks and winding branches with rope lights. Mix things up by wrapping with different colored-lights or strap rope lights to palm trees. Queen palms make good palms to wrap.

Rope Light Spheres – Make a bundle of rope lights resembling a sphere and hang them from tree branches.

Rope Light Tree – Wrap a tomato cage with rope lights. Interesting idea for an outdoor space party and a unique look.

Create Designs – Make designs of flowers or animals on fences or attached to wire frames for eye-catching conversation pieces. During the holiday season illuminate wreathes, a reindeer and stars.

Draw Attention – Outline building contours, doors or windows to draw attention to them.

Here are a few other bullet point ideas that may spark your creativity:

  • Brick Garden Border
  • Border Stones
  • Stone Border Edging
  • Lawn Border Ideas
  • Garden Trim
  • Rock Garden Edging
  • Path Edging
  • Deck Rope Lights
  • Walkway Borders
  • Patio Edging Ideas
  • Flower Bed Curbing

We’ve shared several ideas and ways you can incorporate rope lighting into your landscape and garden. However, we would be remiss if we did not include a – How To Install Rope Lighting for you DIY’s!

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