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While you may typically associate strip lights with indoor use along consoles or built-in furnishings, you can also use them outside. There are plenty of options at your fingertips, and this versatile product can light up staircases, walls, your fence, and even underneath an outdoor table or other furnishings — the list goes on. One benefit of implementing this product in your space is the cost, as it shouldn’t break the bank and will help if you’re tight on pennies, especially when compared to pricier options from professional companies. If you want to upgrade and implement lighting in your backyard on a budget, LED strip lights should be your go-to.
Of course, the result should also look good, and it’s a great way to add some appeal to an otherwise bland garden. You can spend as much or as little as you want, so the ball is in your court in terms of cost. All you’ll need is some flexible and weatherproof LED strip lights, available to buy off Amazon for $139.99 in white, warm, or interchanging colors, and come with end-to-end power connectors. You could also get some neon rope lights for $219.99 off Amazon, but they’re on the pricier side. So, how are you going to utilize them in your backyard?
Add them to a tree or under a table
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Once you have pliers and the strip lights on hand, you need to decide where to place them. This obviously depends on what is available, but excellent options include onto a tree, under your outdoor table or stone bench, along the top or bottom side of your garden fence, or on a staircase — there are plenty of choices. Wherever you decide to place them, you should remember that they will need to connect to an electrical outlet indoors, so plan accordingly and follow the instructions carefully for your chosen product. Now, you can add your strip light to your chosen location.
For example, if you’re putting lights under your table, you’ll want to place them around the perimeter of the underside to create an ambient lighting effect. While trees may be tricky, you could run them up the trunk and select large branches to see them in their entirety during the evening. For a fence, attaching them to the top end could illuminate the whole backyard. However, if you don’t have much experience with installation and the project seems a little daunting, your best bet is to get a professional to do it. This way, you’ll get the best result, and they should help brighten up your garden space. When you’re done, you just need to connect to your outlet and test it to see if it works.
Check your light is suitable for the job
One of the most important factors when using these types of lights in your backyard is checking whether they’re suitable for the job — after all, water and electricity don’t mix. If you want to add them to your backyard space, it’s vital that you ensure that they are weatherproof or waterproof. You can easily do this online or enquire with a professional who will be able to give you sound advice.
You should also remember that some areas of your backyard may be tricky to work with when it comes to strip lighting, such as working with the decor in the middle of your garden, as the electrical side of things may be challenging to organize. If you don’t have much experience and want to do this yourself, your best bet is to stick with something simple. Likewise, you’ll only see this benefit during the darker hours when you light up your yard at night, which is another caveat to keep in mind. Still, utilizing LED strip lights is a great way to make your backyard sparkle.
