Old garden hoses can be repurposed into outdoor pathway lighting using lawn stakes and leftover holiday string lights, according to a report published by American lifestyle publication House Digest.
The budget DIY hack provides home gardeners with an alternative to purchasing commercial light ropes for illuminating walkways, decks, and driveways.
House Digest is a digital publication focused on home decor, landscaping, and practical DIY guides. The publication highlighted the technique after creators on the video-sharing platform TikTok demonstrated how discarded garden equipment can be recycled into functional yard features.
Designing lawn lighting arches
TikTok creator @Sami_Smith suggested using sections of an old hose as a structural frame for festive string lights. Under the technique, the hose is cut into desired lengths, fastened to ground stakes at each end, and inserted along the edge of a lawn before being shaped into arches.
The creator noted that the hose serves as a flexible base that can be customized to fit different outdoor layouts. Holiday lights are then attached directly to the hose structure using clear plastic zip ties or electrical tape.
Another creator, identified on TikTok as @wambamsam_, also adopted the arched design to create a playful aesthetic along garden flower beds. House Digest noted that while traditional straight lighting lines are versatile and fit almost any path, arched designs work particularly well alongside planted borders.
However, gardeners are advised to consider how frequently flower beds require access. If beds require weekly weeding or if children frequently play near the area, low-profile installations positioned closer to the ground are recommended to prevent tripping hazards.
Preparation and step-by-step assembly
The project requires an old hose, garden stakes, leftover holiday string lights, and electrical tape or plastic zip ties. Creators recommend plugging string lights into an electrical socket to confirm they work properly before attaching them to the hose.
Before assembly, the hose should be thoroughly cleaned and sanded if necessary. It can then be painted using specialized paint designed for rubber or vinyl materials, matching the specific composition of the hose being used.
Once painted and dried, the hose is trimmed to the required length and secured into the soil with stakes. The string lights are then fastened along the length of the hose, with transparent zip ties offered as the most discreet and durable option. Although the steps are straightforward, completing the full setup can take at least a weekend.
Alternative rubber yard coverings
The hose lighting project follows previous outdoor landscaping developments reported by Ukrainian news agency UNIAN, which detailed a non-slip, water-permeable rubber yard covering.
UNIAN, based in Kyiv, is a major news agency in Ukraine providing coverage on national news, consumer products, and home improvement trends.
The flexible rubber material is sold in rolls for pathways and outdoor surfaces, offering quick installation without requiring mortar, formwork, or drying time for concrete. However, UNIAN noted that the roll-out covering can be heavy and expensive, and its long-term durability over multiple winter seasons depends heavily on weather conditions and base preparation.
