Only thing is, sometimes the cords get in the way if you’re moving furniture around. Anyone ever try those solar lanterns instead? I’m curious if they’re actually bright enough or just for show...
I’ve wondered the same thing about solar lanterns. Every time I see them at the store, I pick one up, squint at the packaging, and then put it back because I can’t tell if they’ll actually light anything up or just look cute. The cord situation with string lights is a real pain—especially if you’re like me and constantly rearranging the porch furniture to “see how it feels.”
Has anyone tried mounting the cords higher up, maybe along the ceiling or under the eaves? I’ve seen some folks use those little adhesive hooks, but I’m not sure how well they hold up in bad weather. Also, do solar lanterns actually last through a whole evening, or do they start fading out after an hour or two? I’d love to ditch the extension cords, but not if I’m sitting in the dark by 9pm.
One more thing—do the solar ones attract bugs less than regular bulbs? Or is that just wishful thinking...
I’ve tried a couple different solar lanterns, and honestly, they’re more for ambiance than actual lighting. The ones I got looked nice but barely lit up the porch—definitely not enough if you want to read or see what you’re doing. As for cords, I’ve had better luck with those screw-in cup hooks under the eaves than adhesive ones. The sticky ones always seem to give up after a storm or two. About the bugs, I haven’t noticed a big difference, but maybe that’s just my yard... everything attracts bugs here anyway.
- I hear you on the solar lanterns—tried a few myself and they’re just not bright enough for anything but mood lighting.
- Cup hooks are the way to go for cords, hands down. Adhesive ones just peel off after a good rain.
- If you want real light, I’ve installed some low-voltage LED strips under the railings for clients. Not hard to set up and way brighter than any solar option I’ve seen.
- Bugs... yeah, that’s just part of porch life around here. Doesn’t seem to matter what kind of light you use, they’ll find you.
Cup hooks are the way to go for cords, hands down. Adhesive ones just peel off after a good rain.
Couldn’t agree more—cup hooks are basically the unsung heroes of porch makeovers. I’ve tried every “weatherproof” adhesive hook out there and they never survive a stormy week. As for lighting, I’m with you on the solar stuff being mostly decorative. Last year, I swapped out all my old lanterns for hardwired LED pucks under the eaves—night and day difference (pun intended). The only downside is you’ll still be swatting bugs, but at least you can see them coming.
I get the love for cup hooks, but honestly, I’ve had decent luck with those heavy-duty outdoor adhesive strips—especially if you clean the surface first. They’re way cheaper and you don’t have to drill into your siding. Maybe I just got lucky with the weather, though. As for lighting, I’m still holding out hope for solar to improve... my wallet likes the idea of zero wiring.
