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Topic: Outdoor Lighting



Date Posted: Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Posted by: Tanya Zanfa (Master Admin)
Source: http://www.nwitimes.com/lifestyles/home-and-garden/make-the-most-...


Make the most of your outdoor and indoor holiday lighting


Make the most of your outdoor and indoor holiday lighting

’Tis the season for a winter wonderland of lights inside and outside of homes across Northwest Indiana.

Though your family may not be the Griswolds, there are several ways you can bring the holiday spirit to your home through the use of lights. Here are some tips on how you can make your home shine brightly this year, as well as keep it safe from Clark Griswold mishaps.

Keep it simple. Often, people try and mix themes and colors that don’t work well together, says Darrin Selking, president of Landscape Illumination in Valparaiso.

“An example—mixing multicolored lights with solid color lights,” he says. “In the holiday decorating world, this is a no-no. You can use multicolored lights with clear, but don’t use any other solid colors.”

Go for impact. If you have limited time to decorate, focus on the entry, Selking says. “Simple lighted garland around your front door and a door wreath will welcome your holiday guests and let them know you’re in the holiday spirit,” he says.

Work your way up. When decorating the front of your home, Lowe’s recommends starting with path lights, and then working from the ground up—illuminating bushes, trees, windows, doors and the roofline.

Look up. Some new trends this year include the increased use of unusual items along the roofline. “We have snowflakes, gift boxes, candy canes and even snowflakes mixed with icicles that we can install on people’s rooflines,” Selking says. “People like it because it is different and is maintenance free.”

Choose a focal point. When decorating indoors, choose a focal point. For many, that means the Christmas tree, but it can also be mantels, doorways and small entry trees set up in a home’s foyer.

Once a focal point has been established, choose a color design, and use that design throughout the home. Don’t be afraid to pair colors, such as blue and white, red and gold, or red, green and white.

Get crafty. Use mason jars or other glass vases stuffed with a string of white or colored lights and placed next to an outlet. Looking for a dining table centerpiece? Wrap Christmas lights around a bare, curved branch for a beautiful display.

Enjoy lights both inside and outside. One way to get the most out of your holiday lights is to combine them with sheer curtains. Hang a string of lights behind a sheer curtain so they can be seen from the outside, but the lights will give a soft glow from behind the curtain—giving the room a festive feel as the curtain hides the wires.

Practice cord safety. Whether decorating inside or outside, the Electrical Safety Foundation International recommends not running cords through walls, doorways, ceilings or floors.

Each year, 3,300 residential fires are caused by faulty extension cords, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The ESFI advises not to overload extension cords, make sure they are rated for their intended use, and to examine cords for cracks, frays or other damage before using.

The National Fire Protection Association also recommends never connecting more than three strands of mini string sets and a maximum of 50 bulbs for screw-in bulbs. LED strands can vary, so read the manufacturer’s instructions before beginning.



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