Drape Your Backyard Fence In Lights With This Easy Dollar Tree Hack

The comforting glow of string lights can take your backyard from boring and basic to magical and mesmerizing. Even in the colder months of the year, these fixtures establish an undeniably cozy atmosphere for your home's exterior. Hanging them up, though, is sometimes easier said than done. Many homeowners lean on outdoor light poles to get the job done — but these metal items can be surprisingly expensive, especially when you're trying to cover a large amount of ground. A single steel pole can run you upwards of $200. Luckily, there's a smart, budget-friendly way to put up your lights, courtesy of AnnathanFarms on TikTok. In place of the light poles, you can use Essentials Black Plastic Broom Handles from Dollar Tree, which cost $1.50 each.

AnnathanFarms has a brief video on their TikTok channel that showcases exactly how the Dollar Tree lighting hack works. First, they zip-tie the broom handles to their fence posts, with the loops on their ends facing upward. Then, they attach the lights to the handles' loops, using more cable ties. This method allows you to hang string lights in minutes, not hours, while the simple design and black color of the broom handles give the DIY a sleek, sophisticated look. Plus, if you get Tool Bench 8-inch Nylon Cable Ties and the Garden Collection Bulb Lights from Dollar Tree, you might only need to go to one store — that's everything you need to take the first step in turning your outdoor space into a charming oasis.

To get started with this DIY, determine how many plastic broom handles you'll need to buy, relative to the length of your string lights and any outdoor-rated extension cords you're using to hook them up. You don't necessarily have to attach broom handles to each of your fence posts, but even spacing provides a more professional-looking finish. For your measurements, keep in mind that there should be some slack in your light strings — pulling them tightly to fit a specific layout could strain the cord and potentially pull at the broom handles as well. 

This hack works well on fences with posts that the broom handles can be directly tied to. Chain-link fences, like the one in the video, are especially great, as the pole can be zip-tied to the surrounding wire cages for additional support and stability. Should the zip ties not hold things in place to your satisfaction, you could try replacing a few of them with hose clamps that are specifically designed for poles or posts. With your string lights and DIY lighting poles installed, you'll be well on your way toward creating a perfect al fresco dining area. In the colder months, you could also swap out your standard yellow string lights for colorful holiday-themed ones using the same setup.