Title of the original post shared by a seasoned blogger. Haha? Apologies. Took a brief hiatus from blogging, but I’ve prepared what I believe is a fantastic tutorial for you! Who doesn’t enjoy some outdoor illumination, right?
After postponing for years, we finally installed some outdoor lights on our deck, and it. is. magnificent. Moreover, it’s super simple and fairly affordable to accomplish! Hence, here I am. To guide you through my outdoor lighting techniques.
Required Supplies:
- A deck. This could also be a patio. Or perhaps a porch? A floor with just one wall?
- String lights. I suggest choosing something industrial to withstand the elements better.
- Fence posts (ours were 12 feet but trimmed to 9 feet) I couldn’t locate the identical one online, but I’ve linked a shorter version of the one we bought.
- Small carabiners for each connection point on the house
- Eye hooks for drilling into the wall
- S hooks for every pole
- Cordless drill
- Hacksaw (if you need to cut down your fence posts)
- Zip ties (of a similar style) to complement your poles
Firstly, you’ll want to decide on the layout of your lights. Zigzag? Square around your area? It’s your choice! I’ll share some not-so-great photos of the actual supplies I utilized.
There are certainly various methods for hanging the lights on the pole, but we chose to drill a small hole and insert the S hook into it. It appears to be holding well (just remember, there’s quite a bit of tension once they’re up), so I think it’s effective!
After drilling the holes into the poles and inserting the S hooks, we attached them to our deck railing. Since we have metal railings, we couldn’t drill into them. Once again, relying on luck and creativity, we decided to zip tie them to the railings. We utilized 18-inch industrial ties.
Once we trimmed the ends, you can barely spot them on the railing. It’s worth it, even if they are slightly visible! 🙂
Then, use the eye hooks to drill into your home (it sounds more intimidating than it actually is!).
Attach the carabiner to the eye hook and then feed the light cord through the carabiner.
I recommend placing the hook fairly high up. I’d estimate around 9 1/2 feet. You want to leave some space for the string lights to dangle, and you definitely don’t want anyone bumping their heads.
Honestly, the trickiest part of this whole venture is determining the arrangement of the lights. I only had to adjust one hook after I drilled it into the wall, and honestly, I wasn’t too bothered by it. People shouldn’t be critiquing your home’s walls anyway!
Here you can see the transition from late afternoon to evening, to nighttime.
Va-Va-VOOM!
It’s been around 712 days since I last wrote a tutorial, so I apologize if I overlooked anything! You’re welcome to check out the video version of this over on Instagram. I’ve saved it in my stories. Best of luck!
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# How to Set Up Outdoor Lighting: A Comprehensive Guide
*By Just a Girl Blog*
Outdoor lights can significantly enhance your home’s visual charm, boost security, and create a warm ambience for visitors. Whether your aim is to brighten a walkway, showcase your garden, or add atmosphere to your patio, installing outdoor lighting is a relatively straightforward DIY task. In this detailed guide, we’ll take you through the steps to add outdoor lighting and transform your exterior space.
### **Step 1: Plan Your Lighting Arrangement**
Before you commence, it’s crucial to have a clear vision of where you intend to put your outdoor lights. Contemplate the following:
– **Functionality**: Are you adding lights for security, decoration, or both? Security lights should be placed near entryways, while decorative lights can accentuate landscaping or architectural elements.
– **Power Source**: Decide between using solar, battery-operated, or hardwired lights. Hardwired options will need access to your electrical system, while solar and battery variants offer greater flexibility.
– **Spacing**: Make sure your lights are evenly spaced and arranged to provide adequate coverage. For illuminating pathways, a common guideline is to space lights approximately 6 to 8 feet apart.
### **Step 2: Assemble Your Tools and Materials**
Once you’ve outlined your layout, gather the essential tools and materials. Here’s what you’ll need:
– Outdoor lights (solar, battery-operated, or hardwired)
– Drill and drill bits
– Screwdriver
– Wire connectors (for hardwired lights)
– Outdoor-rated extension cords (if necessary)
– Electrical tape
– Ground stakes (for pathway lights)
– Ladder (for wall or ceiling-mounted lights)
– Voltage tester (for hardwired fixtures)
– Shovel (for burying wires or installing in-ground lights)
### **Step 3: Set Up Solar or Battery-Powered Lights**
If you’ve selected solar or battery-powered options, the installation is quite simple and doesn’t require any electrical work. Follow these steps:
1. **Assemble the Lights**: Adhere to the manufacturer’s instructions for assembling the lights. Most solar and battery options come with stakes for easy ground installation.
2. **Position the Lights**: Place the lights where you want them. For solar options, ensure they are in a location that receives plenty of sunlight during the day to recharge the batteries.
3. **Secure the Lights**: Insert the stakes into the ground, making sure they are stable. If you’re using wall-mounted solar lights, drill them into the wall or fence securely.
4. **Test the Lights**: After installation, check the lights at night to verify they are functioning properly and offering the desired level of illumination.
### **Step 4: Install Hardwired Outdoor Lights**
If you’re opting for hardwired lights, the process is a bit more complex but still achievable for DIY enthusiasts. Follow these steps:
1. **Turn Off the Power**: Prior to starting any electrical work, cut off power to the area where you’ll be placing the lights. Employ a voltage tester to confirm that the power is off.
2. **Run the Wiring**: For new installations, you’ll need to run electrical wiring from your home’s power source to the light locations. Use outdoor-rated electrical cables and bury them at least 18 inches underground to prevent damage.
3. **Mount the Light Fixtures**: Utilize a drill to secure the light fixtures to the wall, ceiling, or post. Ensure the fixtures are firmly attached and level.
4. **Connect the Wires**: Within the light fixture, connect the wires from the fixture to the electrical supply. Generally, connect the black (hot) wire to the black wire, the white (neutral) wire to the white wire, and the green or bare (ground) wire to the ground wire or grounding screw. Use wire connectors to make secure connections and wrap them with electrical tape for extra safety.
5. **Install the Light Bulbs**: After completing the wiring, install appropriate outdoor-rated light bulbs in the fixtures.
6. **Test the Lights**: Restore power and test the lights to ensure they are operational.
### **Step 5: Incorporate Timers or Motion Sensors (Optional)**
To enhance the functionality and convenience of your outdoor lighting, think about using timers or motion sensors. These gadgets can automatically switch your lights on and off depending on the time of day or detected movement in the vicinity.
– **Timers**: Timers enable you to set specific times for your lights to activate and deactivate. This is particularly beneficial for security lights or decorative lighting you intend to have illuminated during the evening.
– **Motion Sensors**: Motion sensors detect movement and automatically activate the lights upon someone’s approach. This is an excellent feature for added security!
