Having an entertaining space in your backyard can transform your home. With some strategic wiring, you can easily create the perfect atmosphere for hosting parties and get-togethers without spending a fortune. Follow these tips and tricks to effortlessly wire your backyard while sticking to a budget.
Assess Your Needs
The first step is identifying what type of entertaining you’ll be doing and any features you want to have. This will determine how much wiring and electricity you need.
Consider elements like:
- Outdoor lighting - Accent, string, or security lights. These set the mood.
- Music - Having speakers to play music enhances the environment.
- TV/Movies - For viewing sports, films, etc. Needs more robust wiring.
- Electric appliances - Fans, heaters, bug zappers. Calculate wattage.
- Charging stations - For phones and other devices.
- Internet connection - For streaming or WiFi. Requires ethernet cables.
Make a list of everything you want powered in the yard. This is key for planning purposes.
Evaluate Your Existing Infrastructure
See what kind of existing electrical and wiring is in place. This will significantly impact how much work is needed.
- Electrical outlets - Note location and number. These provide power access points.
- Lighting fixtures - Security and accent lights that are hardwired.
- Breaker box - Check available slots and amps to see what can be added.
- Phone/cable - Ability to connect and extend lines.
- Condition of wiring - Up to code and working properly.
Document what you currently have and any repairs or upgrades needed. This will help develop a wiring plan.
Create a Wiring Plan
Map out a wiring plan based on your needs and current infrastructure.
- Lighting zones - Group lights together on circuits.
- Outlet placement - Consider convenience and appliance locations.
- Speaker wiring - Run to equipment location and zones.
- Low voltage wiring - For landscape lights, internet, phone lines.
- Power capacity - Ensure you have enough power from the breaker box.
- Future expansion - Leave room to add more down the road.
Don’t overlook safety issues like GFCI outlet placement and wire burial depth. Planning it on paper first prevents costly mistakes.
Work With an Electrician
Unless you’re very experienced, I recommend having a professional electrician handle the installation of any new wiring and connections to your home’s electrical system. This ensures:
- It's up to code and safe
- Equipment is properly sized and connected
- Permits and inspections happen
Get quotes from 3+ electricians and look for one familiar with outdoor wiring work. Be sure to ask about:
- Hourly rate and estimated total cost
- Specific experience with backyard wiring
- Using weatherproof boxes and burial rated wire
Reputable electricians may cost more but faulty wiring can lead to fires or electrocution. Don’t cut corners here.
Choose Low Voltage Options
For any accent lighting, speakers, or auxiliary wiring, go with low voltage whenever possible. This includes:
- Landscape lighting - Uses 12V DC power.
- Speaker wiring - Often 24V. Easier and safer than 120V.
- LED strip lighting - Runs on 12V DC.
- Ethernet cabling - For network connections.
Low voltage systems don’t require special permits or electrician installation in most cases. The wires can also be buried shallow. Using low voltage minimizes labor and project costs.
Hide Wires and Cables
Nothing detracts from backyard ambiance like a tangle of electrical wires snaking through the yard. Take steps to keep things neat and hidden:
- Bury cables at least 18 inches underground.
- Run wiring under decks and patios when possible.
- Cover wires with cable ramps or PVC conduit.
- Use cable staples to tack wires to framing and surfaces.
- Place speakers and TVs strategically to minimize cable runs.
Properly hidden wires are barely noticeable and won’t get damaged by landscaping work. This protects your investment long-term.
Provide Adequate Lighting and Power
When wiring your backyard, think about lighting needs at different times:
- Bright security lighting at entries and pathways.
- Softer accent lighting for trees, gardens and architectural elements.
- Task lighting around cooking and eating areas.
- Strings of lights overhead and in landscaping to set a fun mood.
Also distribute outlets so there’s ample power access for appliances, tools, decorations without cord clutter.
Lighting allows the space to serve multiple functions year-round while outlets eliminate extension cord headaches.
Upgrade Items Over Time
Unless throwing a lavish party soon after completing your yard, you can phase in upgrades over several seasons:
- Start with basic security lighting and outlets.
- Add accent lighting and speakers another year.
- Install a projector and screen down the road.
Building up your features over years helps stagger costs. And it gives you time to see how you use the space.
As needs change, wiring already in place makes upgrades much simpler. Take it slow rather than maxing out everything at once.
With the right planning and strategic wiring, you can fashion an amazing backyard entertaining area without busting your budget. Just follow safety guidelines and don’t skimp on lighting, power accessibility, and hidden wires. Soon you’ll have the ideal outdoor oasis for hosting all your warm weather get-togethers.