Transform Your Garden With Affordable, Stunning Lights

If you want to transform your garden with lights but don't want to spend very much this is the simple, safe, cost effective system you need!
🧰 The tools and equipment I use: www.amazon.co....
Proper DIY Patreon Page: / properdiy
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[@johnrumbles3068]

Good morning Stuart, I have just shown your video to my financial director, and she said YES !!!!!!! what a result :-) Thats my Sunday sorted

[@paulimrie867]

🤣🤣🤣

[@ProperDIY]

Fantastic!

[@kevincox5232]

Wow a financial director I’ve only got management accounts! But she does do a good job 😂

[@ADHDIYuk]

I need to speak to my financial director as well as my asset manager about this.

[@bluecurlygirl]

I spoke to mine (me) and the response was "not just yet". Wish we had a Wickes. Surprised there isn't a store in Northern Ireland.

[@NoddyNodNod]

You need to build a garden shed pub as your next project, with a pizza oven and outdoor cinema. Think of the sponsorship opportunities. Here in Australia these very same lights are called Elluminate. They changed the name because those accent marks will only confuse us Aussies. The starter pack you featured retails for more than $200AU. It is one of the cheaper options availability in the local market here. Been following your channel for a while. Your videos are good and entertaining to watch. Well done 👍

[@alanmig1]

Great to see that conduit installed with the pergola base finally getting put to good use! Good planning ahead and it looks smart. Your channel is fantastic, I've learned a lot, enjoy the varied projects and always look forward to your next videos.

[@davidjones88]

I get lights around the house and patio, but there's something about the rest of the garden that I prefer to leave it in the dark. Light pollution is a problem in towns and cities, and I think we need to let nightlife in the gardens do their things. If you're throwing a party, I get it, but otherwise we could do with less light and just enjoy the sounds (or lack thereof) and the moonlight and how it uniquely illuminates everything.

[@aldwim661]

Looks great! Fantastic find. Wish it had a PIR option too.

[@happyharry7331]

Hi Stuart I went out and bought the set you recomended my local Wickes for some reason had stopped stocking ( despite saying it was available for click and collect😂. I bought it online from them ok. Then decided I needed more pieces. But found trying even to get it online from Wickes was a faff, plenty of other places online selling it although a few quid more. A great system and really easy to install

[@pauljai7151]

After your last video I did a large setup, up a drive where 240v would have incurred extra contractor costs. I used about 8 bollard lights and 4 spotlights mounted in tree’s where bollard lights were not possible. Very simple to install, and with the day/night sensor I’ve not had to touch anything since. I’m going to get a starter kit as I had 2 bollard lights left from the job, and with the trade discount at wicked that takes to near £40. Thank you for sharing.

[@ProperDIY]

So nice to hear you have had the same results as me with a bigger set up - and the 5% trade discount at Wickes is definitely a great thing!

[@TheOriginal_BigMac]

I bought these on your recommendation. Had them in 7 months and really happy

[@williams_jamie]

Great to see an update to the lights being installed last year and thanks very much for the Wickes tip. Just purchased two starter packs, extras and some lamps this morning, should be the icing on cake that is our recently landscaped garden. Great channel 👍🏻

[@geekgonerogue]

Hi Stuart, I bought some of the bollards myself after seeing your previous video on them! I'm just working out now, whether to run the cable under the grass along the border, or if I should add some log roll edging along the border and tack the cable to that. Do you have any suggestions? (They're away from a fence, on the edge of a border and the lawn.)

[@Raymond65uk]

Good morning Stuart you have given me loads of great ideas ,i really like your channel most of your stuff is affordable to me anyway and i like the fact that if items are cheaper else were your not afraid to pass it on your right many youtubers want you to buy the over priced stuff as a basic diyer i dont need all the top branded gear and i still get great results thanks fella have a great week.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you - I try.

[@richardphillips3303]

Great addition to your existing setup, and your lawn is looking fantastic too! Thanks for sharing your ideas! 😊

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamesw7624]

Looks like a great product do you just connect them all up and plug them into a socket

[@Surbitron9000]

Thank you Stuart. I’ve had these on my list since your first video on them last year. Finally pushed the button this morning. I learned that Wickes also do free delivery over £90.

[@ProperDIY]

Fantastic!

[@bartrabiej]

Beautiful house mate. Nice job!

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like it!

[@FaithBrook-k2h]

Yes, definitely add one more to the pergola.

[@PurpleTT99]

Ha ha I think I know the youtuber you were referring to. I thought his system was OTT. All these app-controlled complex systems relaying to different receivers is impressive, but do you need that much configurability? You basically just want a nice warm white that comes on at dusk and switches off at bedtime. And if the luminaires will happily sit there for years just doing their job, at a few hundred quid, then that's the embodiment of this channel. Showing us the proper way to do it.

[@streaky81]

This is why Zigbee all the things, and give the hubs a skip.

[@andrewedwards417]

Which KZbinr?

[@thomp449]

@@andrewedwards417 kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaGyhKuFZa2pppI

[@NorthernMonkeeUK]

@@andrewedwards417 I'd guess charlie diyte

[@PurpleTT99]

@@andrewedwards417 Yes as the Northern Monkee said, Charlie DIYte. Not criticising him, just saying from a personal view I wouldn't spend that much.

[@JamesMills-w1j]

Really enjoyed the content, a nice easy install, that doesn't cost the earth and looks the part. Superb and many thanks for the video. 🙂

[@thewoodjunki]

Another quality video, I’ll get these for my garden.. thank you for the honesty

[@Wiljuchi]

Looks great, think i would have had the collards on the outer edge of the patio as you have the downlighters on the house already.

[@ncey8713]

About to put some lights in my own garden but all the cheap ones are so bright and usually white rather that warm white! Just going with a few strings of outdoor fairy lights around the border which should give enough light to stop it being pitch black at night

[@Nuts-Bolts]

When ever one adds more lighting I would always suggest trying out the new lights with the existing house lights both on and off. The coverage of light coming from the widows sometimes overlaps with the initial instinctive placement of a new lights making those bits over illuminated in comparison to elsewhere. Also a bright wall light on a white wall may cause too much glare from indoors to see who’s coming down the drive at night or even put people into silhouette in places where you could see their faces before, so check from inside out too. I would have been tempted to try the bollard lights on the grass corners of the patio to smooth out the light flux and reduce harsh shadows. To make permanent, one way is to hammer a pipe into the lawn and use some expanding foam or other compound to hold the spike firm. I don’t know if ellumière apply resin to protect the PCB’s and switches, etc., from moisture corrosion but I would defiantly open each different item up to see. For instance, the small print wont say these connectors are water proof, only weather resistant so silicon grease or petroleum jelly will help them to come apart again without damage after a few years. How to make exterior lighting last longer than a couple of years by adding some protection could make a video in itself. Lastly. Remember, it is a bad idea to place lighting any where near vegetable crops. Veg such a lettuce are very photoperiod sensitive and will bolt (and so become bitter) the moment they receive more that 12 hours of light in a day. This doesn't matter so much with decorative plants as one wants them to flower anyway.

[@Johnjoization]

I watched your first video installing these lights Stuart, but the price on Amazon for the starter kit (£125) put me off slightly. I am SO glad I hesitated, as your latest update advising that Wickes was selling the very same starter kit for £45 (Discounted from £50 which is still an absolute bargain) was enough for me to take the plunge. Clearly, I was not your only channel subscriber to act, as when I decided to purchase 3 Bollards a week later, Wickes had already taken the discount offer away. I sincerely hope you do get a cheque in the post from Wickes, as you must qualify for their Salesman of the month. I managed to get an equally good price online elsewhere & set the lights up in my back garden today. They look absolutely fantastic and I am so pleased that I now have year round lights in my back garden. I originally planned to put the light sensor outside (as per your install) but as I rarely use my concrete block built garden shed/workshop after dark, I decided to put the light sensor in there. It probably comes on a few minutes earlier than if outside, but I think protecting it from the harshest winter weather & convenience of being able to switch it from 4hrs (summer) to 6hrs (winter) in dry conditions just made more sense to me. Your videos are absolutely brilliant Stuart and so informative and easy to follow from a DIY perspective. I am not a Patron yet, but given how much money you have helped me save and the quality of your weekly output, I will be joining up very shortly. IMO you provide the best DIY content on YT covering projects that appeal to the mass DIY market with clear & concise communication, endearing humour and most important of all; absolute honesty and integrity. Please keep up the fantastic content Stuart - cheers.

[@nolandan1]

Good tip regarding wickes. I checked the online prices for elluminere last time and found them a bit off putting, but those wickes prices look great

[@aaronharris5275]

Wow your home and garden look great. Lots of hard work I bet.

[@LTFC1964]

Brilliant vid again Stuart with sound advice and great humour.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@roviwoteap2375]

Like it! 🙂👍. Nice little project.

[@kellylucas5466]

Great video. What’s the best way to put these into sleepers? I have an outside socket.

[@djstuc]

We’re moving house soon Stuart and this gives me lots of ideas for our next garden.

[@porter761]

Well done Stuart, like your videos

[@markadams23]

Thanks for the shopping tip Stuart, massive difference in price between amazon & wickes 👍

[@ProperDIY]

No problem 👍

[@lyndontaylor4440]

Thanks stuart another great video!! Do you know the diameter of the bollard base plate please?

[@streaky81]

The reason I like smart lights is (mostly with a few exceptions) is I like to be able to set the white temp and brightness - after that I mostly don't change things with the exception of on and off. I have exceptions like the way I dim my kitchen cabinet lights and things. That's why I mostly buy light fittings that are just blub carriers - gives you massive opportunities to use say Hue bulbs or similar zigbee leds from other manufacturers, and they're usually cheaper too. Potentially less well sealed but.. A hue light fitting is extremely expensive, but a nice fitting that can take a hue bulb - massively cheaper; but with all of the benefits.

[@RDJim]

Great job. Regarding your up/down shiners on the house, if they're too bright, why not put them on a dimmer?

[@TheXeroid]

I was thinking the same thing abut the additional light near the door at the pergola; and then you said the same. it would balance things up.

[@BALLOOROOM]

Lights/transformer still working well after 11 months after being exposed to snow/rain and they have replaceable bulbs it seems to be an affordable/reliable/maintainable system. I especially like the bollards too and hiding the cabling in a channel filled with decorative stones. Thanks for the Wickes tip 👍

[@joemakesnoise]

Just ordered two starter packs and additional cable after watching this and your earlier video. Im probably going to have to place the transistor box outside though. Is that what you have done with the second installation? Im perhaps thinking i can mount to the wall to avoid it ever sitting in water.

[@montyzumazoom1337]

Looks great Stuart! Another very informative vid. We are moving soon and I might very well use this system in our new garden. Your lawn is looking nice too, ever thought about a robotic lawnmower?

[@musthavechannel5262]

awesome. Really beautiful garden and light setup.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks for visiting

[@niccat7051]

Just about to look at lighting for my Japanese style garden. So this is perfect timing!! So off to Wicks then 👍🏼

[@ProperDIY]

Perfect!

[@l.contouris3449]

Really looks nice. I think you should add the extra light on patio just to see. 😊

[@barryhughes1612]

Excellent video, keep them coming!

[@tonyhollis1506]

Great video, think I’ll be getting some of these. One question, what is the timer you use on the outside socket?

[@Dreamster399]

Thanks, Stuart!

[@c.a.g.1977]

That must have been an arduous wait for the sun to go down! Cheers Stuart!

[@S4NJMAK]

Your videos are always so illuminating 🤓👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@jamescodling8641]

Another cracking video Stuart. Keep'em coming. I've also been loving your construction expose channel.

[@Christopher_T_Paul]

I do like that they have the interchangeable lamps. I bought a PIR outdoor lamp for over £100 from Amazon, the unit failed in less than 2 years, return was refused and I ended up having to strip the unit completely and had to source a lamp from China as nobody else sell them and took a few hours to solder in a replacement.

[@ScuzzySera]

Being able to change lamps means getting to play with the brightness and colour temp aswell which is nice.

[@AhtifAli]

Love watching your videos, can you tell me what add you use on your dewalt cordless that holds the screws and doesn’t penetrate the screw in deep? Thanks.

[@michaelplays2449]

Great video Stuart !!!! thanks

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@Karen.L.771]

Hi, Stuart I'm a newbie, just stumbled across your channel, what a lovely house and garden you have, do the cables have to be buried? (i'm no electrician ) and i'm new to all this . or can you just put the cables inside a pool noodle or that other grey foam stuff you get at b & Q I don't know what they call it but it comes in different thicknesses and it's grey? hahah and I suppose you could paint it to blend in with what ever background colour it will be beside, ? and that way it would prevent the cables from being cut accidentally?

[@cabottaxi]

Looks great.

[@martynbuzzing3327]

Brilliant, drink well deserved.😊

[@garys628]

Stuart. absolutely fabulous. Wickes here I come

[@paultomlinson528]

Lovely work and a beautiful house

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you so much 😊

[@mcdo8975]

i remember watching your garden light videos just for fun in my rented apartment, and here i am now on my onw house rewatching it for actual info

[@hoog111]

Hi Stuart. Wondered what size the spikes were? Could use some old copper pipe driven into beds for the spike to go in?

[@AndrewKenmare]

Very good that Stuart as always great humour and content. Think I would have another light in the middle 😂

[@diydetail8916]

you have beautiful home Sir

[@woodywoods12345]

I remember your video from last year and watched it again recently, then saw this one! It’s a sign I need to stop dilly dallying and just buy them already 😂 my only wish is that these lights did string bulbs too! I could hang them on my fence at the bottom of my garden then.

[@philtebble4390]

Great vid great product Stuart 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@mattsennett]

Really good video and I didn't know such a set up would be so simple. Got me thinking about doing something similar out my front and back to complement what I already have 👍🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Go for it!

[@monicafaloona1293]

Looks fab👏

[@BuildForceNortheast]

Bought these last week from wickes game changer

[@jennlizzy2019]

It looks great.

[@colinblane8404]

Crackin’ Just ordered myself some of these - Exactly what I was looking for and demonstrated perfectly. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad I could help

[@59CommandoLee]

As always, most excellent. Keep up the good work Sir.

[@ProperDIY]

Thank you kindly!

[@stevetrunky]

Hi Stuart My bulbs have started to die (probably not helped by this wet weather). Have you had to buy any MR11 bulbs? If so can you recommend a supplier? Thanks

[@simonrapley1126]

Brilliant channel mate, been watching everything you do as only just come across it, for what you paid for that kit I bought 1 hue light, unreal.... Although I do think it needs another one to left of the pergola 👍

[@ProperDIY]

Welcome aboard!

[@s.wilson5675]

Proper DIY..... Proper geezer. Thanks for this video.

[@ProperDIY]

No problem 👍

[@DiHandley]

As always rock solid advise. I will certainly be looking at a kit for my house. While I’m here, a pro tip for drilling tiles. Don’t use impact. Use a sharp masonry drill bit on drill only. Most terracotta tiles and the like are quite soft and easy enough to drill with a sharp bit, and you don’t run the risk of breaking the tile.

[@terrytopliss9506]

Excellent Stuart,thanks for the video.👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@patrickcollins9248]

Where did you get your 1/4 turn outdoor tap from with the 2 outlets on it? I recently bought the 1/4 tap, but I’ve also got a water timer on the go, so would like a second tap to use as I please

[@Purdy-jj5ws]

I’ll be ordering these online to pickup in store during the week, thanks for the great advice. "This time next year you’ll be a millionaire"

[@teresabell1014]

I always enjoy your videos 😊

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you like them!

[@SuperKiko112]

Very nice house

[@SpartanMJO12]

That glass of Pepsi at the end looks a funny colour... 😁 Fantastic job as usual Mr Matthews

[@StevenMurray-mt7om]

Hi Stuart Another great video with good practical advice. My wife and I definitely think you need another bollard light in the middle section 👍😂

[@pedromimoso8804]

Very nice, Stuart! 👍👍👍

[@ProperDIY]

Many thanks!

[@krisdabrowski7482]

Superb! Thank you for sharing.

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks for watching!

[@robert.wigley]

Stuart, given these have replaceable bulbs, if you wanted a faiirly cheap smart lighting system, you could make these smart by replacing the bulbs. Philips Hue has recently started selling GU5.3/MR16 bulbs, for example. Other brands may also be available.

[@gizmo6164]

As an electrical novice, does the cable going under the stones need to be in conduit to protect it from puncture or whatever? I’m guessing not as I’m confident you would have done it but please clarify. I’m wondering what “romantic” is too! 🤷🏻‍♂️😊

[@ianpearse4480]

That is a cool share. Thanks.

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@liftfan2]

Great guy.

[@Loosehead]

Do they make wall or bulkhead lights, that can connect in? Your pergola needs them up higher for dinner in the garden.

[@Crazy_Pedro]

How do these lights switch ??? Is there a remote control. Thanks.

[@middletonboys]

Great video, thanks

[@ProperDIY]

Glad you liked it!

[@awantamta]

great job

[@iangwilt6228]

Brilliant

[@NimpanZ]

Would love to see a video on ppe clothing. So many options but not much guidance. My son picked up a circular saw recently and hates that his clothes are covered in sawdust and splinters 😂. Also saw Monty Don on gardeners world rue the fact his knees are completely obliterated over a lifetime of gardening and not using knee support, his biggest regret.

[@gregnockolds3855]

Brilliant work Stuart! 😉 I wouldn't ever try and one up (or one down) you out of deep unabiding respect, but you kinda did it yourself with the wicks promotion! So I must release my cheapass demons and suggest extending your lighting to less aesthetic positions, like up-lights in perimeter garden beds, and go with THE CHEAPEST solution: a clear, water proof plastic container just big enough for one of those mr16 globes and then chain them around the bed with any spare 12v output to match.

[@charleskung3324]

Great job mate👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@ProperDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@jello1977]

Good job, well done. What's your beer of choice over there in blighty?

[@ProperDIY]

What you saw was actually a pint of cider - Strongbow

[@MrSmith_]

I believe those bulbs are G10 Stuart.

[@pleappleappleap]

It works much better to use a rotary hammer to drill in concrete and stone than a hammer drill. A corded one can be very cheap and effective.

[@vjosullivan]

Now I've got an excuse to wear my sunglasses at night! 🤣

[@robarnold9016]

Great info vid as usual. For those banging on about ‘light pollution’ I presume they drive around at night with their lights off, or are content walking around a town at night, amongst the drunks, in darkness. These are only 1-2 Watts of output, so hardly searchlights. I bet these ‘moaners’ have never looked at a power station at night, and all the light they emit….but yet the moaners are still happy to use that electricity to power their house, TV, Wi-Fi etc. 🙄

[@sgrb11]

I didn't see the timer. What do you mean "on the inside"? Also, sounds a bit annoying having to update the times regularly to match seasonal sunrise/sunset changes?

[@jonhendry2470]

how do you conceal the transformer?

[@Jason-Faraday]

I was going buy these from the range but it worked out over £300 from there where as wickes only came to £165 🤯