Installing backyard lighting can really transform your outdoor space. With the right lighting, you can create an inviting atmosphere for evening entertaining, highlight landscape features, and improve security. But hiring an electrician to wire backyard lighting can be expensive. The good news is that with some planning and DIY know-how, you can wire your own backyard lighting on a budget.
Assess Your Backyard Lighting Needs
Before starting any wiring project, it's important to think about how you want to use lighting in your backyard. Consider the following:
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Ambience - If you want to create a cozy, welcoming space for evening activities, uplights in trees and post lights lining a path are great options.
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Security - Motion sensor floodlights by entrances/exits will improve visibility and safety.
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Accent - To highlight a water feature, plants or other landscape elements, aim for focused spotlights.
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Overall coverage - For broadly illuminating seating areas, gardens and lawns, go for floodlights on the eaves or scattered uplights.
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Special features - Rope lights, lanterns, and even solar-powered stakes provide whimsical accents.
Once you've decided on the lighting features that best suit your needs, you can start mapping out your wiring plan.
Choose the Right Outdoor Lighting Fixtures
The lighting fixtures themselves will be a main expense, so select cost-effective options that still provide the aesthetic you want.
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Lanterns - Classic and elegant, perfect for lining pathways and accenting seating areas. Go for metal or weather-resistant composite instead of real glass.
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Path lights - Low-voltage LED or solar-powered lights are inexpensive and easy to install along walkways.
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Floodlights - For maximum light coverage, floodlights mounted on the eaves are affordable. Include motion sensors for security.
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In-ground well lights - These subtly illuminate gardens, trees and other landscape features. Select metal over plastic casings.
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String lights - An inexpensive way to add charm and personality. Opt for commercial-grade outdoor string lights.
Create a Lighting Plan
A lighting plan is essential for knowing how much wiring you'll need and keeping your project organized.
Be sure to consult local codes for any restrictions on backyard wiring. Many areas require permits.
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Make a simple sketch of your yard, indicating fixture locations and types.
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Mark where each light will be wired back to the main supply. Group lights that are close together.
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Measure the distances between the lights, electrical supply, and any switches/dimmers.
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Take notes on lighting needs to buy appropriate wattages and fixtures.
Consider Low-Voltage Outdoor Lighting
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Low-voltage lighting typically operates on 12 or 24 volts, compared to 120 volts for standard lighting.
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It requires less energy, simpler wiring, and lower amperages.
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Since you don't have to dig trenches for conduit, low-voltage systems are ideal for DIY installs.
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The lights are smaller, more subtle, and illuminate gardens and landscapes beautifully.
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LED options are extremely efficient and long-lasting.
Purchase the Electrical Supplies You'll Need
For wiring backyard lights yourself, you'll need:
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Low-voltage outdoor-rated cable- This 2-wire cable will run from your transformer to each light fixture. Buy enough to cover all the distances in your plan, plus extra.
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Transformer - Converts 120V current from your home's supply to low voltage. Size it according to the total wattage of all bulbs.
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Lamps - Bulbs suited for outdoor use and your fixtures' sockets. Opt for LED.
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Outdoor timer or photocell - For automatic on/off control of your system.
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Wire connectors - Corrosion-resistant caps to join and seal wires.
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Landscape staples - To securely fasten cable along its run.
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Trenching shovel - If burying any sections of cable underground.
Run Your Low-Voltage Wiring
Follow these steps to wire your backyard lights:
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Decide where your transformer will go - preferably somewhere central, protected from the elements.
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Start your wiring run by connecting the cable to the transformer output.
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Lay the cable above ground along the paths to your lights, stapling it in place.
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At each light, leave some slack in the cable so you can make connections.
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If you need to run any sections underground, dig a trench at least 6 inches deep and bury conduit for protection.
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At each light, splice the cable conductors to the fixture wires using gel-filled wire connectors for waterproofing.
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Complete the circuit by running a wire from the last light back to the transformer.
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Connect the transformer to power, flip the switch, and test! Enjoy your new backyard lighting.
With the right plan and components, you really can wire your own backyard lighting easily and affordably. Just take it one step at a time. Once your new lighting is glowing in the night, the effort will feel well worth it for the ambiance and charm it adds to your outdoor space.