Gather Tools and Materials
At 0:04 in
cutting usability in half without these pups
What happens here
Gather all necessary tools and materials as per your lighting plan. This includes various types of low-voltage lights such as small in-ground puck lights (as seen around the fire pit and paver rug), and accent lights (for the outdoor kitchen's vertical surfaces). Ensure you have enough low-voltage landscape lighting wire (typically 12 or 14 gauge) to connect all fixtures and reach the transformer. Acquire waterproof wire connectors, a low-voltage landscape lighting transformer with appropriate wattage, and mounting hardware for the accent lights and transformer. For digging, you'll need a shovel or trenching tool. A cordless drill with drill bits for masonry (if needed for the kitchen) and wood (for the pergola) will be essential, along with a wire stripper and possibly a multimeter for testing.
Goal: Collect all necessary lighting fixtures, wiring, and installation tools.
Tools and materials
- Accent Lights — Highlighting vertical elements of the outdoor kitchen by shining light upwards
- Bistro String Lights — Providing overhead ambient lighting under the pergola
- Cordless Drill Milwaukee — Drilling pilot holes for mounting and securing lights/wires
- Drill Bits — Creating holes for mounting screws in various materials
- In-Ground Puck Lights — Creating subtle ground-level illumination around the fire pit and paver rug
- Low-Voltage Landscape Lighting Wire — Connecting all low-voltage lights to the transformer
- Mounting Hardware — Securing accent lights and the transformer
- Shovel — Digging shallow trenches for low-voltage wiring
- Waterproof Wire Connectors — Securely and safely joining wire segments and connecting fixtures
- Wire Stripper — Removing insulation from wire ends for connections