need ideas for over head string lights on deck

[apegs]

I want to have about 3 or 4 strands of string lights or christmas lights running the length of my deck about 7 to 10 ft above where you would walk around the deck. My deck is a standard deck with railings on all for sides. I would like the lights for a mood lighting when hanging outside in the summer months. My problem is I can think of a good idea for 3 or 4 poles that would extend up the 7 to 10 ft to attach the lights to that would look good. Hoping someone can give me and idea or an example of some post or poles or somwthing that would look semi decent.

[delcecchi]

How about conduit (EMT), small size, painted black or brown? attach it to the outside of the posts that hold the rail.

Or 1/2 inch pvc pipe?

[apegs]

not a bad idea, think I will try it and see how it looks

[cavalierowner]

Not exactly what you were talking about, but here's a pic of what I did on with rope lights on my deck for mood lighting. I didn't want to see the light source directly, so I built the lighting into the top of the rail with a 3/4" x 3/4" piece of wood to hide the light. What you see is the light reflected off the front of the railing. Kind of hard to describe, but if you're interested I can sketch what I did and post it. I should add that this has been in place for about 11 years and there are 3 short areas where sections have burned out; you can see one of the burned out sections. One of these days I'll have to research how to replace sections or just replace the whole works.

[Tom7227]

The under the railing thing looks nice. I have to think that stringing them up in the air is going to result in problems. Heck, if nothing else ice like we had this weekend is going to tear at them. If you're going to go with it use the EMT. The PVC will be too wobbly. You can take a 3/4 copper T and put it on top to string the lights through. You have to put a pop rivet through it to hold the T in place.

[BoxMN]

Cav., that looks really nice.