The title of this initial post is presented by a former blogger past their prime. Lol? My apologies. I took a little break from blogging, but now I have what I believe is a pretty solid tutorial for you! Who doesn’t enjoy some outdoor illumination, right?
After procrastinating for years, we finally enhanced our deck with some outdoor lighting, and it is magnificent. Not only that, but it’s incredibly simple and quite budget-friendly! That’s the reason I’m here. To share my outdoor lighting secrets with you.
Required supplies:
- A deck. This might also be a patio or a porch? A floor with a wall on just one side?
- String lights. I suggest something industrial for better durability.
- Fence posts (ours are originally 12 feet, trimmed down to 9 feet) I couldn’t locate the precise one online, but I’ve linked a shorter version of the one we bought.
- Small carabiners for each attachment point on the house
- Eye hooks to drill into your wall
- S hooks for each post
- Cordless drill
- Hacksaw (for cutting down your fence posts)
- Zip ties (in a similar style) that match your posts
Alright, first and foremost. You’ll need to determine how you’d like to lay out your lights. Zigzag, square around your area? It’s entirely your choice! I’m sharing some not-so-great photos of the actual supplies I utilized.
There are clearly various methods for suspending the lights on the pole, but we opted to drill a small hole and insert the S Hook into it. It appears to be holding up (remember, there’s a lot of tension once they’re installed), so I think it does the job!
Once we had drilled the holes into the poles and inserted the S Hooks, we secured them to our deck railing. Since our railings are metal, we couldn’t drill into them. Again, a bit of faith here—we decided to zip tie them to the railings. We opted for 18-inch industrial ties.
After trimming off the ends, they’re hardly noticeable on the railing. Totally worth it even if they are slightly visible! 🙂
Then you’ll want to use the eye hooks to drill into your house (sounds more intimidating than it really is!).
Attach the carabiner to the eye hook and then insert the light cord into the carabiner.
I recommend positioning the hook relatively high up. I’d suggest around 9 1/2 feet. You want to allow a little space for the string lights to “swoop” without anyone having to duck.
Honestly, the most challenging part of this entire project is deciding on the arrangement of the lights. I only needed to readjust one hook after installing it into the wall, and I was okay with that. Honestly, people shouldn’t be scrutinizing your house walls anyway!
Here’s a glimpse of the transformation from late afternoon to evening, and finally to night.
Va-Va-VOOM!
It’s been about 712 days since I last wrote a tutorial, so I apologize if I overlooked something! Feel free to check out the video version of this on Instagram. I’ve saved it to my stories. Good luck!
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**Guide to Installing Outdoor Lights: A Tutorial from Just a Girl Blog**
Outdoor lighting can significantly enhance your home’s exterior, providing both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Whether aiming to light a walkway, draw attention to landscaping, or create a cozy outdoor area for gatherings, setting up outdoor lights is a straightforward DIY task that yields a significant impact. In this guide, we’ll outline the steps for safely and effectively installing outdoor lights.
### Step 1: Plan Your Lighting Arrangement
Before commencing with installation, carve out some time to design your lighting arrangement. Take into account the intended purpose of the lights and the areas you wish to illuminate. Some standard types of outdoor lighting include:
– **Pathway Lighting**: Fixtures that line walkways or driveways for safety and visual charm.
– **Spotlights**: Utilized for emphasizing particular features such as trees, shrubs, or architectural elements.
– **String Lights**: Ideal for establishing a warm and inviting atmosphere in outdoor seating zones.
– **Floodlights**: Bright fixtures used mainly for security, frequently placed near garages or doorways.
After determining the style of lighting, draft a rough layout showing where you’d like to install the lights. This will help you assess the number of fixtures required and identify where power supplies will be needed.
### Step 2: Select Appropriate Fixtures
Outdoor lights come in various styles, materials, and power options. Here are a few considerations when selecting your fixtures:
– **Weather Resistance**: Ensure that the lights you select are suitable for outdoor use. Look for products with an IP (Ingress Protection) rating of no less than IP44, ensuring they are safeguarded against rain and dust.
– **Power Source**: Outdoor lights can run on electricity, solar energy, or batteries. Electric lights generally provide brighter illumination and consistent performance, while solar lights offer easier installation since they aren’t reliant on wiring.
– **Design Aesthetic**: Opt for fixtures that harmonize with your home’s exterior style. Whether your preference leans toward modern, rustic, or traditional, there’s an extensive variety of choices available.
### Step 3: Collect Your Tools and Supplies
Once you’ve selected your lights and devised a layout, gather the required tools and materials. Below is a basic checklist:
– Outdoor light fixtures
– Low-voltage transformer (if utilizing low-voltage lighting)
– Outdoor-rated electrical wire (for wired lights)
– Wire connectors
– Electrical tape
– Screwdriver
– Drill
– Voltage tester (for safety)
– Shovel (for burying wires, if necessary)
– Ladder (for elevated installations)
### Step 4: Set Up the Transformer (For Low-Voltage Lighting)
If opting for low-voltage lighting, a transformer is necessary to diminish the standard 120-volt household current to a safe 12 volts. Here’s how to install it:
1. **Position the Transformer**: Select a site close to an outdoor electrical outlet. Mount the transformer on a wall or post with at least 12 inches clearance above the ground to shield it from moisture.
2. **Link the Transformer**: Connect the transformer to the outdoor outlet, but refrain from activating it just yet. You’ll attach the lights to the transformer later on.
3. **Lay Down the Wire**: Run the low-voltage cable from the transformer to the locations of the light installations. Leave extra wire length to facilitate fixture connections later on.
### Step 5: Install the Light Fixtures
Now the time has come to attach the light fixtures. The installation will differ based on the type of lights chosen, but here are general instructions for popular outdoor lighting categories:
#### For Pathway Lights:
1. **Arrange the Lights**: Distribute the lights along the pathway, maintaining even spacing. A common guideline is to place them about 6-8 feet apart.
2. **Excavate Holes**: Utilize a shovel to create small holes for the light stakes. Ensure the holes are deep enough for secure placement of the stakes.
3. **Connect the Wires**: For low-voltage lights, link the fixture wires to the main low-voltage wire using wire connectors. Ensure connections are secure and resistant to water.
4. **Insert the Stakes**: Push the stakes into the ground, confirming they are upright and stable.
#### For Wall-Mounted Lights:
1. **Cut Power**: Prior to beginning, switch off the power at the circuit breaker to prevent electrical shock.
2. **Remove Old Fixtures (if necessary)**: Should you be replacing existing fixtures, take them off by unscrewing the mounting plate and detaching the wires.
3. **Fit the New Fixture**: Fix the new fixture’s mounting plate onto the wall using screws. Connect the fixture wires to the household wires with wire connectors. Match the black (hot) wire to the black wire, the
