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SERVING LITTLE ELM, TX
Bistro & String Light Installation in Little Elm, TX
Lake views deserve lighting that holds up to lake wind. We install commercial-grade bistro strands for Little Elm backyards, pool decks, pergolas and the restaurant patios near the water.
✓ Steel catenary spans ✓ Shatter-resistant bulbs ✓ Homes and businesses
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Bistro lighting is a heavy outdoor cable with large LED bulbs strung overhead. Little Elm sits on Lewisville Lake, so Christmas Decor by Carruthers Decorative Lighting plans every span for wind: catenary wire, solid posts and shatter-resistant bulbs, installed for homes and businesses and serviced after the job.
Since 1978
Dallas family business
5+ years
Commercial and large residential lighting
Fully insured
Liability and workers’ comp
4.5★ Google
Rated by DFW clients
What a Little Elm String Light Install Covers
From a small back porch to a full restaurant patio, the approach is the same: plan it, hang it right, keep it working.
01
Rooftop bars and terraces
Rooftops have few anchor points and more wind. We use weighted planter poles or parapet mounts and tensioned catenary wire so strands stay put on breezy nights.
04
Commercial-grade LED bulbs
We use LED bulbs in S14, G40 and ST38 shapes, including shatter-resistant options. They run cool, draw little power and hold up to nightly use far longer than retail sets.
02
Event lawns and venues
Venue lawns and wedding sites use long parallel runs or a center canopy. Installs can be permanent for a property that books events week after week.
05
Catenary wire support
A tensioned steel guide wire carries the weight on longer spans, so the light cable is never the thing holding itself up. That keeps sag even and protects sockets.
03
Walkways and entry paths
A row of posts with swagged strands guides guests from the parking area to the door. It doubles as a welcome and a safety light.
06
Service after the install
Bulbs burn out, storms happen and layouts change. Our crew can come back to replace bulbs, re-tension a span or extend a run as the space grows.
Bistro, Café or Edison: Same Idea, Different Bulb
People search for bistro lights, café lights, market lights and Edison strings. They all describe the same thing: a heavy outdoor cable with evenly spaced sockets, hung overhead.
The difference is the bulb. Edison-style filament looks vintage and warm. Globe bulbs scatter light more evenly. Smaller shapes keep the look light in tight spaces. We bring samples to the site visit so you can see the glow in your own space at dusk before anything is ordered.
Bulb samples shown on site at dusk
Filament look or smooth globe glow
Socket spacing matched to span length
Dimmable warm white for every bulb shape
What Happens After You Call
01
Start with a call
One call to our office covers it. We learn how you use the space and book a walk-through, ideally near dusk.
02
Measure and plan
On site we measure every span, test anchor surfaces and locate outlets, so the plan reflects your real space.
03
Approve the plan
Look over the layout, choose bulbs and controls, and approve the quote. We order hardware and set an install date.
04
Install day
Our insured crew sets posts, tensions guide wire, hangs strands and routes power, then tests every socket before leaving.
05
Ongoing care
After install we stay available for bulb replacement, re-tensioning after storms and new extensions as your space changes or grows.
Lighting Little Elm by the Water
Little Elm wraps the eastern shore of Lewisville Lake, with FM 423 and US 380 carrying growth through newer neighborhoods and lakeside dining.
Lakefront dining
Restaurants along Little Elm's lakefront draw evening crowds to their patios. Commercial strands on tensioned wire hold up to wind off the water, and even lighting keeps tables visible as the sun goes down. Every span can be reached for service, so a bulb change never interrupts a busy night when the patio is full and the sun is setting over the lake.
FM 423 neighborhoods
Newer subdivisions along FM 423 tend to have young trees and covered patios. A canopy from the patio beam to fence-line posts extends the usable space into the yard. Posts can be painted to match fence stain or trim so the frame looks intentional, and dimmers keep the glow comfortable for neighbors nearby.
Little Elm Park area
Homes and gathering spots near Little Elm Park and the beach area often have open, breezy yards. Steel posts and guide wire keep a canopy level even on gusty evenings. Shatter-resistant bulbs are a smart choice here too, since sand, wind and active families tend to find any fragile glass bulb hung low.
Pool and outdoor kitchen yards
Many newer homes pair a pool with an outdoor kitchen. We split those into two zones, with brighter task light over the grill and a softer glow over the water. Each zone gets its own control, and connections stay well back from the water's edge with GFCI-protected power for safety around the pool.
Mounting Without Damaging Your Property
Brick, stone, stucco, siding and wood each take a different anchor, and the wrong one leaves cracks or pulls loose. We choose fasteners for the surface, drill into mortar joints on brick where we can, and seal penetrations on stucco.
On pergolas we use clips and screw eyes placed where they are least visible. On trees we use straps instead of nails. If a property manager or HOA has rules about attachments, we plan around them from the start.
Mortar-joint anchors on brick
Sealed penetrations on stucco
Low-profile clips on pergola beams
Tree straps instead of nails
Cost Factors for String Lighting
We quote from measurements, not a flat rate. Here is what we measure.
Height and access
Second-story hang points, rooftops and high pergolas may need taller ladders or a lift, which adds labor and setup time compared with a single-story patio.
Mounting surfaces
Brick, stone, stucco and wood each need different anchors and sealing. Hard masonry surfaces and tall attachment points take more time to drill and finish cleanly.
Permanent or seasonal
A year-round system is built with heavier hardware and guide wire from day one. Seasonal setups with reusable hang points spread their cost differently over time.
Site conditions
Slopes, tree canopies, pool decks and tight side yards can each add steps. We note them on the site visit so the quote has no surprises.
Power and controls
Using an existing outdoor outlet is the simplest setup. Adding dimmers, timers, smart plugs or a new circuit from a licensed electrician changes the scope of the job.
What DFW clients say
4.5-star average on Google from clients across Dallas-Fort Worth.
★★★★★
“These guys were amazing. Highly recommend them for all your decorative lighting needs.”
Alex Shaw
★★★★★
“First season with them and hands down best service I’ve had. Very impressed with their service and communication. David was very professional and made the entire experience easy and worry free. Will definitely be keeping my business with them!”
Courtney Carrier
★★★★★
“Fast and courteous office staff and installers. Abraham my installer was excellent!”
robert simmons
Little Elm String Light Questions
Have a question we didn’t cover? Call 972-620-9560 or request a free quote online.
Do you light pergolas, gazebos and covered patios?
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Yes. Pergolas get runs along or between the beams, gazebos suit a drape from a center point to the edges and covered patios take a clean line along the beams. We use low-profile clips and screw eyes so the hardware is barely visible on Little Elm structures in daylight.
Can you run lights from the house to a tree line or pergola?
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Yes. Long runs across a yard are common. We tension a steel guide wire between the house and a tree, post or pergola, then hang the strand on it so it stays level. Trees get adjustable straps rather than nails, so growth is never restricted.
Do I need a new outdoor outlet?
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Usually not. LED strands draw very little power, so one GFCI outdoor outlet can often run the whole system. If your Little Elm layout needs a switch by the door or a circuit at the far end of the yard, a licensed electrician handles that part and we coordinate.
How long does a typical backyard install take?
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A typical backyard is a one-day job. Adding concrete-set posts, a large canopy or rooftop work can stretch it. You will know the plan, the crew size and the expected duration before install day, so you can plan guests, pets and parking around it.
Will the strands sag or blow around in North Texas wind?
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Not when they are hung on catenary wire. The steel wire takes the tension and the light cable rides along it, so gusts move the whole span slightly instead of whipping the strand. We can re-tension spans with turnbuckles after a big storm.
What drives the cost of a string light install?
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Run length, number of spans, posts, bulb type, mounting surfaces, power needs and height all play a part. Commercial patios add heavier cable and service access. We measure on site and quote from those numbers, so you see exactly what you are paying for.
Will you mount to brick, stone or stucco without damage?
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Yes. We choose anchors for each surface. On brick we use mortar joints where possible, on stucco we seal every penetration, and on stone we size masonry anchors for the load. The goal is a secure hang point that leaves a small, tidy footprint.
Can a business patio get holiday décor too?
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Yes. Holiday lighting and décor is our main business. For Little Elm restaurants, venues and commercial properties, we can add wreaths, garland, lit trees and building lighting around the patio, with design, installation, in-season service and removal handled by one team.
What is the difference between bistro, café and string lights?
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They are the same family of lighting. All three describe a weatherproof cable with sockets spaced along it, hung overhead. Bistro and café usually mean larger bulbs like S14 or G40, while string lights can also mean small decorative sets. We install commercial-grade versions built for nightly outdoor use.