"Outdoor lighting is an easy and cost effective way to create a warm, welcoming atmosphere year round, and especially during the winter when it gets dark early and yards are often rather dreary," said Curtis Hogan, president of Nite Time Decor. "Lighting can take an otherwise bare and gray landscape and add an elegant life to it."

Outdoor lighting not only adds warmth and beauty, but also valuable curb appeal. According to the Associated Landscape Contractors of America, landscaping can increase the value of a home by 15 percent, and can allow homeowners to recoup 100 to 200-percent of their investment.

"Landscaping is one of the first things people notice, so there's no reason to let some of the most beautiful features of your home and yard be shrouded in darkness half of the time," said Hogan. "In fact, this first impression is so important that some realtors estimate that 95 percent of house shoppers will not even consider a house that lacks curb appeal."

Nite Time Decor professionals are outdoor lighting experts with the experience and know-how to use various lighting techniques to create a beautiful night environment. Hogan is offering these tips to homeowners, helping them add warmth to their homes this winter and value all year long:

Uplight to create depth. A light on the ground, pointed up towards an object is perfect for showcasing a beautiful tree, sculpture or an architectural feature like a gazebo or arbor. Setting an uplight behind an object emphasizes that object's silhouette, while setting an uplight in front will cast an interesting shadow on the yard behind it. This not only highlights the object, but also creates a layered look, extending the yard.

"In the winter, uplighting adds charm to dormant plants and trees," said Hogan. "Even dull, empty shrubs can cast beautiful shadows and shapes onto the backdrop, adding both life and depth to a yard."

Downlight for safety, security and aesthetics. Another technique is downlighting, or moonlighting, where lights are mounted high above eye level. When light comes from above, the effect looks natural. Mounting lights high in trees or on walls will cause light to shine down through tree branches, creating a unique, layered look. Illuminate a flowerbed by mounting a downlight closer to the ground on a tree trunk, fence or wall.

"Downlighting is also an effective way to illuminate spots where someone might stumble or dark areas that may look inviting to an intruder," said Hogan.

Add a third layer of lighting with path lights. Small, low voltage lamps create a third layer of lighting in your yard, and also can be used to effectively line a path to help you and your guests safely navigate through your yard at night. Placing lights under railings, benches and stairs can help eliminate accidents and increase the usability of decks, porches and patios.

"Landscape lighting is less expensive than painting or remodeling, but can deliver powerful and dramatic results at a fraction of the cost," said Hogan. "The right outdoor lighting bathes your home and yard in a warm glow during the winter and enhances your home's charm add adds curb appeal all year long. What better way to increase the value of your home?"

About Nite Time Decor:

Nite Time Decor can install and maintain a sophisticated landscape lighting system that will increase the value of your landscape investment and enhance your home's safety and security. Nite Time Decor designers are the professional outdoor lighting experts with the knowledge and experience to build a custom lighting "portrait" for your home or business.

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