Author Archives: Decorating Elves

15 Jul

The Importance Of Proper Commercial Outdoor Lighting

Commercial Outdoor LightingLighting is an essential but often overlooked part of running a business. Outdoor lighting is especially critical because your space’s exterior is the first thing a potential customer sees. You don’t want your outdoor lighting to give the impression that you don’t care about your business. Proper commercial outdoor lighting is crucial because it:

  • Keeps your customers and employees safe.

Outdoor spaces need to be well-lit, especially when it is dark outside. Well-lit commercial space is less prone to crimes such as mugging and assaults. Proper commercial lighting will not leave your customers or employees vulnerable to someone hiding in the shadows. Read More →

10 Jul

Exterior Light Maintenance

Outdoor lighting is one way to greatly enhance the look and curb appeal of your home. Additionally, the added lighting can provide a sense of safety when you arrive back home during the darker hours of the day. With that being said, it is also important to take care of your investment and ensure that your lights are always functioning properly as there are several external factors that can cause abnormal wear and tear. Lights have the tendency to attract small animals and unruly weather cannot be avoided. Below, you will find some tips to follow that will help you maintain your lights so that they can continue to illuminate your beautiful home. Clean the lens on a regular basis Cleaning the lens on a regular basis helps the light to shine through with its full power. Obstructions can block the light source and cause your lighting to look more dim than usual. This is an easy fix as you can simply wipe the lens with a soft towel. Clean the light fixtures Dirt, grass, or leaves can potentially block the light coming from the light source. This compromises the illumination of the outdoor lights which takes away from its purpose. On a regular basis, take a clean towel and wipe off any dirt from the fixture. Frequently check for broken or burnt-out bulbs Over time, bulbs can begin to lose their glow. This can pose a hazard especially if the lights are being used for safety purposes. Before the light goes out completely, replace the bulb at the first sign of dimming. Consider using timers Many customers purchase exterior lights for the beautiful silhouette they help create during nightfall. Use a timer to make sure that your lights only come on when it is dark outside. Lights that are constantly on can cause the need for replacing bulbs more often than necessary. Check for exposed wires When small animals such as cats or small rodents come in contact with your lights, they may begin to chew, or play with, exposed wires. As they begin to gnaw on the wires, this may compromise the integrity of your light source. By checking for exposed wires and either wrapping them or hiding them, you are making sure that your lights will last and you will also avoid costly repairs for new wires or a new system. Caring for your exterior lights is simple and non-time-consuming. In doing so, you are guaranteeing that your investment lasts as long as you need it to. When you take care of your lights, they take care of you. Enjoy the beautiful illumination you’ll receive with proper care and maintenance!Outdoor lighting is one way to greatly enhance the look and curb appeal of your home. Additionally, the added lighting can provide a sense of safety when you arrive back home during the darker hours of the day. With that being said, it is also important to take care of your investment and ensure that your lights are always functioning properly as there are several external factors that can cause abnormal wear and tear. Lights have the tendency to attract small animals and unruly weather cannot be avoided. 

Below, you will find some tips to follow that will help you maintain your lights so that they can continue to illuminate your beautiful home.  Read More →

10 Jun

How Outdoor Audio Can Enhance Your Outdoor Entertainment

According to the poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Music is the universal language of

humankind.” Everybody loves music. From the soundtrack to your favorite movie to the canned music played in your local grocery store, music animates lives and speaks to the heart.

When you’re entertaining in the backyard or around the pool, don’t neglect the importance of music. In this post, we’ll highlight three ways that outdoor audio can enhance your outdoor entertainment.

Read More →

15 May

How To Use Outdoor Lighting To Make Swimming Fun at Night

You can’t survive the Florida summer season without a backyard pool, but the fun shouldn’t have to end after the sunsets. Use these creative outdoor lighting tips to help make swimming at night exciting and illuminated.

Illuminate Water Features

If you’re lucky enough to have a waterfall, bubbling hot tub, or another focal point along with your pool, use strategic outdoor lighting to emphasize those features. Make them the drawing point of your swimming area. This adds a magical and inviting atmosphere that just doesn’t exist during the day. You can even experiment with colored lighting so that your waterfall shines blue, purple, or any other color you choose. Read More →

15 Apr

Light Features for a Stunning Outdoor Display

Summer is right around the corner, which means there’s never been a better time to make the most of the outdoors. Whether you have a huge three acre backyard or a small deck or patio, use these strategic outdoor lighting techniques to transform the look and feel of your exterior space. 

The Benefits of Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting adds a unique atmosphere and appearance to your exterior space. With the right professional design, your outdoor space can take on a life of its own in the dark and offer a totally different look and feel than it does in the daytime. Accenting architectural features, highlighting textures, and emphasizing focal points can transform the entire space.  Read More →

15 Mar

How Lighting Adds Curb Appeal to Your Home

Professionally designed and installed outdoor lighting is one of the easiest and most powerful ways to transform the curb appeal of your home. 

Just imagine the difference between a home that sits in the dark each night and a home with subtle and tasteful lighting arranged around the property. Your deck, patio, pool area, front porch, and yard can all be transformed into their own special environments with just a bit of strategic lighting. The lights create a warm, comfortable ambiance. Read More →

15 Feb

How Lighting Can Impact Your Landscaping

Achieving the perfect outdoor lighting for your home requires a true blend of art and science. When lighting design is carefully paired with landscape design, something magical happens. As you work with a professional lighting company like Decorating Elves to paint your nighttime landscape with the beautiful accents of light, take these tips and ideas into consideration.  Read More →

15 Jan

Security Lighting Techniques to Deter Criminals

Outdoor security lighting is one of the most effective ways to deter criminals and keep your home safe. It’s true that a well-lit home is less likely to be burglarized. 

From flood lights and path lights to luminaries and spot lights, there are many different types of lighting available to boost the security of your property. Start with these time-tested techniques to keep your home shielded from intruders. 

Use Flood Lights for Large Spaces

If you have a large front or backyard, you need flood lights to distribute a wide cone of light across expansive spaces. Mount flood lights to shine on the following areas for heightened security and visibility: Read More →

15 Dec

The Best Energy Efficient Outdoor Lighting Trends

Are you looking at installing some outdoor lighting on your property? Whether you have some dark paths that pose a tripping hazard or you want to light up an outdoor entertainment area, there are some great energy efficient options available. Here are the most energy efficient outdoor lighting trends we’re seeing for the coming year.

Retro LED bulbs

Want the retro look of a halogen bulb with the energy efficiency of long-lasting LED bulbs? You no longer have to choose between the two! LED bulbs are available in a wide variety of styles, including many retro looks. Read More →

15 Nov

Using Customizable Outdoor Landscape Lighting for Photographic Moments

Is there a stately tree in your yard that is perfect for family photos? Or maybe you have a wide porch that accommodates your large family for holiday pictures. In any case, landscape lighting can help make such moments possible, not just once, but whenever you need them.

You don’t have to have a grand manse to make customizable outdoor lighting worth the investment. Whether it’s six lights or three dozen, we can install the perfect lighting in cooperation with your landscape design. We have many affordable options, but the more customizable features included, the higher the price. Read More →