17 Pretty Ways to Decorate Your Patio With Christmas Lights Year-Round

Christmas lights are beautiful during the holidays, but when used strategically, you can keep them up all year. (Or you can keep them up all year without being strategic — no judgment!) Strand lights are the perfect decor element for your patio or porch because they provide a lot of subtle light, making for a pleasant atmosphere. This is especially true on warm summer nights when you're hanging out outside with family and friends. The obvious ways to use those lights is on the roof or on a fence, but we found some Instagram photos that will give you a little bit more creative inspiration for your own place. Keep reading to check them out.