Create the impression that someone is at home. That was the advice Police Lt. Brian Piekarski of Sagamore Hills, Ohio gave to anyone who wants to prevent burglars from targeting their houses. Lieutenant Piekarski advised residents to “Keep your home lit up. Outside lights are great. Indoor lights are good.” He spoke out on Fox 8 Cleveland after a string of burglaries in his neighborhood. “The darker your home, the more attractive it is to somebody who wants to burglarize it because it’s going to be less noticeable if they kick in the front door.”

Lieutenant Piekarski was definitely right that outside lights are great, especially when it comes to home safety. Strategically placed outdoor or landscape lighting will enhance the safety and security of your home, while also enhancing the beauty of its exterior.

http://blog.outdoorlights.com/2013/10/how-outdoor-and-landscape-lighting-can-deter-burglaries/
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Make it look as if someone is at home. This is the advice Police Lt. Brian Piekarski of Sagamore Hills, Ohio gave to individuals who want to prevent burglars from targeting their houses. “Keep your home lit up. Outside lights are great. Indoor lights are good,” Piekarski was quoted as saying by Fox 8 Cleveland, following a string of burglaries in his neighborhood. “The darker your home, the more attractive it is to somebody who wants to burglarize it, because it’s going to be less noticeable for them kicking in the front door.” Take note of that line: outside lights are great. Strategically placed outdoor or landscape lighting can effectively boost the safety and security of one’s home, on top of enhancing the beauty of its exteriors.

http://blog.outdoorlights.com/2013/10/how-outdoor-and-landscape-lighting-can-deter-burglaries/

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Unlike interior spaces that have defined measurements, it can be harder to lay out a plan for outdoor spaces. Things can be even more complicated when outdoor lighting is involved, since lighting fixtures need to be added in such a way that they don't mar the beauty of your yard or garden. Interestingly, there's actually an art to outdoor lighting, and homeowners might want to learn a thing or two before plopping down a couple of lanterns.

Outdoor lighting will no doubt add to your electric bill, which is why you need to take into how much energy the new lighting setup will consume on average. You might want to first calculate the total wattage of each lighting fixture before rushing headlong into the project. You certainly wouldn’t want to invest in fancy lighting fixtures only to see your power bill shoot up tremendously in the succeeding months.

Another aspect you’ll need to consider when installing outdoor lights is the mechanism by which you can control them. While a simple switch setup might do, you need to be conscientious about turning it off; otherwise, you might encounter some nasty accidents or unnecessary bill spikes. You might want to opt for an automated system with a timer and/or motion sensor so you don’t have to worry about accidentally leaving the lights on all night.

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Pretty, dazzling, yet practical; these are the words you might associate with outdoor lamps and lights. While they have the mundane purpose of providing illumination to your property at night, sconces, LEDs, and lighting fixtures do more than just brighten up the place. For one thing, a dimly-lit pathway is an accident waiting to happen, especially when children or senior citizens walk through it at night all alone.

Outdoor lighting also provides security: would-be trespassers and burglars will have a difficult time getting into your property undetected if there are plenty of outdoor lights around. In addition, simply having these lights turned on, even when you and your family are away, gives the impression that there are people inside the property, dissuading criminals from getting any funny ideas. Outdoor lights can also be used in tandem with other security devices like motion detectors to provide even better security.

When they're installed for landscaping, outdoor lights can serve as beautiful decorations that can impress your guests and neighbors. It is fairly common to install lights in lawns and gardens to make them look prettier. Increasing the aesthetic appeal of a house also increases its retail value, giving you a better selling price if ever you decide to put your property for sale. 

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Building a porch, a deck, a pool, or a patio can considerably increase the value of your home. If you have a beautifully landscaped garden to boot, it can further enhance the beauty of your property. However, you may not be able to enjoy these additional outdoor living spaces fully.

As the sun sets and darkness covers the outdoors, you may have to retreat to the interiors of your house. If you're hosting a party, darkness might stop the merry making and your guests may have to go home earlier than planned. However, all these would not happen if you have the foresight to install an outdoor lighting system. Not just any conventional lighting setup, but a LED outdoor lighting system.

With such a lighting system provided for your outdoors, you don't have to worry about not having enough time to entertain your guests. In fact, they can enjoy your outdoor living space for as long as they have the energy. You can also bond with members of your family even when the sun has already set because the outdoors will still be visible and beautiful with your lighting system in place.

LED lights are not only used to illuminate the outdoors, but to make them more beautiful and safe. You can have more fun with LED lights brightening up your outdoor living spaces.

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Colonial style houses are still relatively popular in North America because it evokes an old world charm that's simply timeless. These types of homes have a tendency to be symmetrical, and have rectangular and square shapes; as a result, a contrasting curvy path will serve as a great landscape for colonial-style homes. You can also install a water fixture or a sitting area for additional curb appeal.

You can also highlight the beauty of this style of home with strategically placed landscape lighting. You don't even need to go overboard with the light fixtures; just place it in strategic areas so your home will still look great even during the evening. Just make sure that you pick the type of lighting design that will go well with colonial style homes so there won't be a clash in motif.

Aside from the particular style, you may want to buy LED lights so you can save money in the long run. LED lights are reportedly eighty to ninety percent more energy efficient compared to traditional lighting materials. Compared to light bulbs, LED lighting also lasts significantly longer so you get to enjoy the nighttime illumination that will highlight the timeless appeal of your colonial-style home.

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