We recently did a small backyard lighting upgrade and I honestly wish we had done it sooner.

For years we relied on solar lights — they were supposed to be easy and eco-friendly, but they just weren’t reliable. Some nights they’d already died by the time we got home. Others just stopped working completely after a few weeks (probably water damage or charging issues).

Plus, the light was that harsh blue-white — not flattering, and totally killed the evening vibe.

So this time, we decided to switch to a low-voltage system. Yes, it took a bit more effort (especially routing wires through some stone steps), but the difference is night and day — literally. The warm lighting is consistent, subtle, and makes the space feel so much more relaxing.

Now that we’ve got the basics installed — path lights and some recessed step lights — I’m wondering what else people do to make their backyard lighting more functional and cozy?

Questions:

• What other low-voltage fixtures do you love (or regret installing)?

• Do you keep yours on a timer, use a transformer with dimming, or add motion sensors?

• Any fixture brands you recommend or avoid?

We’re still new to this and would love to hear what others have done!