Karl Lundberg – Luminocity https://getluminocity.com Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:10:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 https://getluminocity.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/cropped-luminocity-favicon-32x32.png Karl Lundberg – Luminocity https://getluminocity.com 32 32 What Is the Best Lighting for Outdoor Entertaining? https://getluminocity.com/best-lighting-for-outdoor-entertaining/ Wed, 24 Jul 2024 18:07:35 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2789 Outdoor entertaining is a delightful way to take advantage of central Indiana’s warmer months. Don’t cram all your guests into your den—go outside to create memorable experiences with friends and family! Luminocity understands that choosing the right lighting can transform your backyard or patio into a welcoming and inviting area for guests. That’s why we work with each homeowner to determine their specific lifestyle and entertaining needs, to ensure we create a welcoming space where people can enjoy themselves long into the evening.

Looking to spend more time outside, even as the temperatures start to fall the coming months? We have some tips for keeping the lights on outdoors for your big parties and cozy gatherings.

Understanding the ambiance of outdoor entertaining

When considering outdoor lighting for entertaining, it’s essential to think about the ambiance you want to create. Lighting sets the mood and can influence the atmosphere of your gathering. Soft, warm lighting tends to create a cozy and intimate feel, perfect for dinner parties or relaxed gatherings. On the other hand, brighter and more focused lighting might be preferable for activities like games or larger gatherings where visibility is key.

Types of outdoor lighting for entertaining

There are several types of outdoor lighting to consider, each serving different purposes:

Pathway lighting: Path lights not only add a decorative touch but also ensure safety by illuminating walkways, steps, and driveways.

String lights: Perhaps the most popular choice for outdoor entertaining, string lights create a charming and whimsical atmosphere. They can be draped along fences, strung overhead across a patio, or wrapped around tree trunks. LED string lights are energy-efficient and come in various shapes and colors to suit different styles.

Spotlights and uplighting: These are ideal for highlighting focal points in your outdoor space, such as architectural features, plants, or artwork. Uplighting and downlighting can create dramatic effects and draw attention to specific areas.

Lanterns and candlelight: For a more rustic or traditional look, lanterns and candles provide soft, flickering light that adds warmth and charm to outdoor tables and seating areas. Flameless candles or solar-powered lanterns offer a safer and more convenient alternative.

Practical considerations

In addition to aesthetics, there are practical considerations to keep in mind when choosing outdoor lighting:

Weather resistance: Outdoor lighting fixtures should be weatherproof to withstand rain, wind, and other outdoor elements. Look for fixtures with an IP rating that indicates their level of waterproofing and durability.

Energy efficiency: Opt for LED lights wherever possible, as they are energy-efficient and have a longer lifespan compared to traditional incandescent bulbs. (Of course, if you like calling on Luminocity frequently because you have burned out incandescent bulbs, you are welcome to remain in the old school group.)

4 design tips for outdoor lighting

To achieve the best results with outdoor lighting for entertaining, consider working with a Luminocity certified lighting designer who can identify key focal points of your home and property and light them accordingly.

Layered lighting: Combine different types of lighting to create depth and interest. For example, pair string lights with pathway lights and spotlights to illuminate various areas of your outdoor space.

Create zones: Define different zones within your outdoor area, such as dining, lounging, and cooking areas, and use lighting to delineate each space effectively.

Avoid glare: Position lights strategically to minimize glare and ensure comfortable visibility without harsh shadows.

Experiment and personalize: Don’t be afraid to experiment with different lighting arrangements and styles to find what works best for your space and personal taste.

Maintenance and safety

Regular maintenance of outdoor lighting is essential to ensure optimal performance and safety. Clean fixtures regularly to remove dirt and debris, replace bulbs as needed, and check wiring for any signs of wear or damage. Or, leave the messy chores to the staff at Luminocity. Our maintenance plan helps you keep your system operating at peak efficiency month-after-month. The plan includes a thorough cleaning and inspection, as well as fresh bulbs for your quartz-halogen system.

A thoughtful outdoor lighting designs opens up opportunities to stay outdoors even as the days grow shorter. If you’re ready to explore outdoor lighting—or you’re ready to update your existing outdoor lighting design, reach out to Luminocity now for a consultation. Or, call us at 317-537-8055.

]]>
How to Show Your Home Some Love This Month https://getluminocity.com/show-your-home-some-love-this-month/ Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:55:27 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2711 February is traditionally known as a month of love, so let’s talk about showing your home some TLC. At Luminocity, we understand the need to highlight your home and shine a light on its beauty. As spring draws near – and it’s only a month away – it’s time to spoil your home with important maintenance tasks and upgrades that will ensure your home feels the love and is reaping the benefits of a little extra attention.

How can you show your home a little love this month and beyond? We have a few ideas to start your spring checklist.

Love and light

Does your home sit in the shadows? Or does it shrink from the glare of DIY floodlights that were a cheap find at the big box store? Professional, energy efficient lighting technology makes a tangible difference in how your home stands up to the darkness. Luminocity is ready to create a lighting design that highlights your Indiana home’s best features and creates a unique artwork within your landscape. Invest in outdoor lighting now, and you’ll have a head start in creating a welcoming experience for anyone who visits.

Love your home by tackling the small tasks

Do big projects leave you sweating like a seventh grader who wants to give his crush a box of candy? You don’t have to do everything at once to prove that you’re faithful to your home. Consider these smaller jobs, which can add up to big improvements:

Paint a room. As the days get longer and the sunlight streams through your windows, you may realize you’re tired of the wall colors. A new paint color is a sure method of injecting new life into your space. It’s also a great excuse for buying new throw pillows to match!

Clean your baseboards. Sure, you sweep and dust regularly, but when was the last time you gave your baseboards some love? A periodic baseboard clean can be a great pick-me-up for your home.

Rearrange the furniture. Do you still have your television against the wall with the cable line, even though you cut the cord years ago? Move things around a bit. Send the bookcases to the dining room you rarely use and create a library vibe. Play with new light fixtures. Swap out those end tables that you’ve moved several times and really never liked in the first place. It’s time for a change.

Clean your carpets. Hire a professional, or rent a carpet cleaner from the grocery store. You may discover that your carpet is a different shade once you remove the accumulated dirt your dog has been bringing inside for the past several months.

Get rid of some stuff. Do you subscribe to the 80/20 principle at home, where you used 20 percent of your stuff 80 percent of the time? It’s OK to donate the extra pots and pans that are hiding in your cupboards. Go through your books and donate the overflow to your neighborhood library. Create space for new options.

Show some love with bigger projects

The little maintenance tasks make a difference, but the bigger projects can pay you back in dramatic results. What can you do to show your home some love? We have a few ideas:

Clean your gutters. While you were staying warm inside this winter, your gutters were accumulating a collection of dead leaves, sticks, pebbles, and other debris. Clean them out now, before the spring rains begin. Did you know that Indiana’s precipitation chances begin to go up in March, peaking in May? It’s going to rain. Be ready.

Wash your windows. Dirty windows can be an eyesore. Improve your home’s curb appeal when you make your windows sparkle. You’ll enjoy the extra natural light and may even extend the windows’ lifespan by removing the dust and grime that can scratch the surface.

Get a head start on your outdoor chores. Indiana springs often bring us spells of milder weather where you want to be outside. Clean out the dead leaves that accumulated around your home this winter. Make sure your perennials have room to grow by clearing out the clutter.

Check your outdoor lighting system. Over time, your bulbs can become dim and your wires may become exposed thanks to winter weather. All landscape lighting needs to be updated from time to time. You can go out and manually replace every bulb with a fresh one, or you can sign up for Luminocity’s maintenance plan and let us do the dirty work. (We think you’ll love handing this particular task over to our crew.)

Share the love this month with Luminocity. Did you know that spring is a great time to consider an outdoor lighting system? Our Indiana weather will become more hospitable, and soon we’ll be wanting to spend time outside. Make sure your home is illuminated with a professional outdoor lighting design by Luminocity. Call us now at 317-537-8055 to schedule your free consultation!

]]>
5 Home Resolutions You’ll Keep in 2024 https://getluminocity.com/5-home-resolutions-you-can-make-and-keep/ Thu, 11 Jan 2024 17:11:17 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2702 We’re in the new year, so let’s talk about resolutions for your Indiana home. You may be dreaming big with visions of a kitchen remodel or a new man cave. Or, you may be focusing on DIY tasks, like a renewed landscape design or other small changes that will pay you back in curb appeal. Here at Luminocity, we know the new year brings a desire for fresh starts. That’s why we compiled a list of resolutions that are worth making – and keeping – in the new year.

Make a resolution to stay safe at home

Safety is always a priority for any homeowner. When was the last time you tested the smoke alarms or radar detectors in your home? Yes, conventional wisdom says you should add fresh batteries when we switch to Daylight Savings Time in March, but why wait? Did you know that an old smoke detector may not give your family the protection it deserves? Today’s updated smoke detectors can even talk to you! While we’re talking about safety, let’s look at the safeguards around your home. How are your door locks working? Do you notice any wear or splits in the wood frame around the door? What about your windows? Are they still secure against intruders?

Take a walk around your home at night to check for any dark spots. Remember, a well-lit home may be related to a decrease in crime.  

Resolve to stay on top of maintenance tasks

Let’s be honest. When was the last time you replaced your furnace filter? A new filter can help your HVAC system work better, which may translate into lower energy bills. What other chores are you tempted to skip throughout the year? Spring is coming, and you’ll want to be ready to tackle the work with our handy maintenance checklist. Your outdoor lighting system needs regular maintenance as well. A harsh winter can uncover wires, and new growth can alter the carefully designed lighting patterns. The Luminocity maintenance plan lets someone else do the dirty work for you. Talk to us about how our trained lighting technicians will service your system annually and handle minor repairs at no charge throughout the year. 

Let things go

If you didn’t use it in 2023, either repurpose it, recycle it, give it away or throw it away in 2024. This is a resolution everyone can use. You’ve been holding onto that cat-shaped baking pan for years, in case you have a grandchild who wants a kitty cake. Let it go. Old calendars? Copy the important dates and send them to the recycle bin. How about broken items? If it’s been waiting for a fix for more than a year, let’s get real.

Take a hard look at what you are bringing into your home. Everyone loves a bargain, but cheaper can wind up costing you more in the long run. For instance, an outdoor lighting design from a big box store may have a low initial price point, but a lighting design by Luminocity relies on our high-quality, durable light fixtures that are better equipped to stand up to Mother Nature.

Save money with little changes

Fortunately, there are many little lifestyle changes you can incorporate that will save money without affecting your quality of life. For instance:

  • Switch off the lights when you leave the house
  • Use a smart thermostat to set a heating and cooling schedule
  • Consider planting drought-tolerant landscaping that doesn’t need a lot of water in the summer

Spend money on the things that make you happy

Resolve to put yourself first this year with home maintenance and renovation plans. Your home should be your haven. Don’t wait until you’re moving to give yourself some desired updates. Make a resolution to be happier at home. Take lighting, for example. Lighting is personal. Lighting adds beauty, safety, and security. Paint your home and landscape in light with an inspired outdoor lighting design by Luminocity. You’ve worked hard for your home. In 2024, take the time to enjoy it.

Are you ready to talk to Luminocity about an outdoor lighting design? Call us at 317-537-8055, or contact us online at getluminocity.com/contact/. At Luminocity, we know exterior illumination!

]]>
Make Your Home Look Inviting Long After the Lights Come Down https://getluminocity.com/make-your-home-inviting-after-lights-come-down/ Mon, 01 Jan 2024 20:57:41 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2695 Want your home to stay inviting throughout the winter? ‘Tis the season to take down the holiday décor and move into the new year. But there’s no need to settle for lackluster. Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting has some fun tips to keep your home looking cozy and inviting during winter’s dreary months. What’s keeping you from creating a comfortable and well-dressed home?

Keep inviting with twinkling lighting

We’re not saying you need to hold onto your Clark Griswold display for the next week months.  But, there a0re no rules that say all the holiday lights must be down by mid-January. Why not keep a few lights around your front window? You can also add a strin0g of white lights to your mantelpiece for warm ambiance during the colder months.

Switch up your front door wreath

The lush green wreath with the streaming red ribbons looked lovely in December, but now it’s going back into the box in the attic. Instead, hang a plain grapevine wreath and add seasonal accessories, like snowflakes in January, hearts in February, and shamrocks in March. Or, get creative with online DIY ideas.

Play with inviting colors

Earthy tones, including whites and neutrals, can add warmth to a dismal gray day. Hang heavy draperies to keep the cold out and add an element of comfort inside. If neutrals aren’t your thing, add some pops of color to break up the monotony, like a bright pink floral welcome mat.

Recycle some of your holiday greenery into a DIY winter arrangement

Before you send your Christmas tree to the recycle bin, cut some branches and use the trunk to create a rustic winter arrangement for your front porch. Put away the holiday ornaments, but grab some pinecones and display everything in a white painted pot or wire basket to welcome guests to your home. This is another fun way to incorporate a short string of white holiday lights that will add a whimsical touch to your home.

Pay attention to your winter landscape

The plants and shrubbery that look so lush and inviting in the spring can create their own artistry during the winter months, when their bare branches stand out on a snow-covered landscape. Don’t forget to periodically pick up the branches and debris that likes to accumulate after a good Indiana winter storm blows through. Take advantage of a warmer weekend to clean your gutters, so you don’t have to deal with overflow during an evening of rain and almost-freezing temperatures.

During the winter, it’s also important to make sure your sidewalks, steps and driveway remain snow- and ice-free. Add some outdoor path lighting to help you watch your step when you’re venturing out at night.

Consider professional outdoor lighting by Luminocity

The darker winter months can be tough on the psyche and the soul. A professional outdoor lighting design by Luminocity will paint your home in light and highlight its best features. Our goal at Luminocity is to create a masterpiece that stands out in beauty and elegance. Our trained lighting technicians understand that there’s more to outdoor lighting than throwing out some spotlights. We will use quality lighting fixtures to create a design of light and shadows that gives your home the prominence it deserves. We can also set you up with our Annual Maintenance Plan, which means you don’t have to worry about loose wires and burned out bulbs.

The holidays may be winding down, but the season of light continues when you work with Luminocity to create an inspired outdoor lighting design. To find out more, call us at 317-537-8055, and we’ll start a conversation about keeping your home inviting throughout the year.

]]>
5 Reasons Why Fall is a Great Time to Add Outdoor Lighting https://getluminocity.com/why-fall-is-a-great-time-to-add-outdoor-lighting/ Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:27:02 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2650 The days are getting shorter, and the nights are longer. It’s fall in Indiana, and you’re wondering how you can bring a little light into the darkness that takes over in the winter months. Why not add outdoor lighting to your landscape? You may think fall is too late to start thinking about an outdoor project like landscape lighting. But here at Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting, we think fall can be the right time to paint your home in light and brush away the shadows of winter.

If your home is sitting in the dark – or if your current outdoor lighting setup needs a makeover, Luminocity is your go-to landscape lighting expert. Let’s look at why new outdoor lighting is such a good idea this fall.

1. The days are getting shorter, and you need more light

Indianapolis has just over 12 hours of daylight when fall officially begins on September 23. We’re on our way to the shortest day, December 21, when we will see only 9 hours and 21 minutes of daylight. That’s a lot of darkness around your home. Professionally installed outdoor lighting does more than point floodlights at your home. Done right, it enhances the look of your home and yard, makes it easier to get around at night, and adds additional security to your property.

2. Your trees and foliage aren’t so fragile in the fall

We love spring, with its bursts of blossoms and tender green leaves. But even the most careful contractor may break a few twigs or crush a new blossom during a landscape or lighting project. When you opt for a fall installation, however, many of the trees and plants around your home are entering their dormant phase. We’ll always be careful, but fall makes it easier to protect your landscape design.

3. Outdoor lighting helps extend the outdoor entertaining season

Indiana summers never seem to last long enough, do they? With the right lighting, you don’t have to pack up the outdoor party plans just yet. Extend the open-air entertaining season now with a professional outdoor lighting design. Sure, the pool may be covered, but there’s still plenty of time for a bonfire bash. Pathway lighting, deck lighting, lanterns, torches and bollards will bring the necessary illumination for continued outdoor soirees.

4. You’ll enjoy peace of mind

Security is a top homeowner concern. Between the shorter days and the gloomy skies, you may have many dark pockets around your home. Outdoor lighting fills in their dark spaces with light, making your home less tempting for potential criminals. Plus, you’ll enjoy the added benefit of beauty along with the safety aspect of outdoor lighting. What’s not to love?

5. Outdoor lighting highlights the winter landscape

While spring and summer may seem like landscape stars, fall and winter are waiting in the wings, ready to take the stage with their own unique beauty. Whether you’re highlighting your snow-shrouded home or you’re playing with the shadows cast by bare trees, outdoor lighting can add an additional layer of beauty to your home during the colder months.

If you’ve been thinking about adding outdoor landscape lighting to your home, let’s talk. Fall is the perfect time to spotlight your home’s unique details with a professional design by Luminocity inspired landscape lighting. Discover the Luminocity difference with our attention to detail and our expert training from industry leading manufacturers and the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. Book your consultation now by calling us at 317-537-8055, or contact us online now. Fall in love with your home again when you add professional outdoor lighting by Luminocity!

]]>
4 Stunning Landscape Lighting Tips for Summer https://getluminocity.com/4-stunning-landscape-lighting-tips-for-summer/ Mon, 19 Jun 2023 19:11:56 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2608 Summer is officially here in Indiana, and warm nights await for outdoor entertaining and activities. Illuminate your landscape this summer with landscape lighting to add another element of wow to your home. You’ve spent time and money to create a memorable arrangement of foliage, flowers, vegetation and hardscape. Now it’s time to shine a light on them! Read on for these landscape lighting tips from Luminocity, your Indiana outdoor lighting expert.

Start with the basics in landscape lighting

Outdoor lighting roughly falls into three categories:

Overall lighting brings necessary light into a room or space. This can usually be achieved through hanging lights, post lights or wall lights.

Task lighting has a distinct purpose. Think pathway lights or lights along your deck steps. You can also enjoy added security when you intentionally place lights in your home’s dark spots.

Accent lighting draws the eye to a specific area or focal point like a waterscape or unique landscaped area.

Ideally your outdoor landscape lighting design will incorporate a combination of these categories. Remember, less is more when it comes to outdoor lighting. You want to create highlights, not spotlights!

Take a walk outside at night

When you venture outside at night, bring a flashlight to locate those areas that need illumination. Are your stairs or pathways dangerous due to a lack of good lighting? Is your favorite tree standing in the darkness when it could be awash in light from tastefully selected outdoor fixtures?

Consider these key areas for landscape lighting

You know you want light outside, but you’re not sure where to put it. Here are a few common spots for outdoor landscape lighting:

Deck or stair lighting can be conveniently set flush against the structure for an elegant, understated effect.

Lights around your water feature can enhance the look of the falling water. When light enters water, it changes direction slightly, a phenomenon known as refraction. Water absorbs different light wavelengths at different rates, so light mixed with water can produce its own outdoor show. Outdoor lighting fixtures must be rated for submersion, though.

Lights for specific trees and plants on your property. That Japanese maple tree can reveal a new, unique personality at night with the right lighting placement. A combination of uplighting and downlighting can create shadows that mingle and project fascinating silhouettes.

Path lights are both pretty and functional, and they welcome your guests to your home from the moment they arrive.

Call in the experts

A simple lighting project can certainly be a DIY undertaking. But if you want to get the most lighting bang for your budget, work with an expert like Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting. As a member of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals, the Luminocity staff is always working to improve their skills, which means your final project will get the expert attention and care it deserves.

Are you ready to light up your landscape? Call Luminocity now at 317-537-8055 or contact us online now!

]]>
What is Curb Appeal, and How Can Outdoor Lighting Help Achieve It? https://getluminocity.com/what-is-curb-appeal-and-how-can-outdoor-lighting-achieve-it/ Wed, 17 May 2023 20:14:26 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2602 You’ve probably heard the term “curb appeal” thrown around when you sold your last home. Curb appeal is a term for that all-important first impression of your home. Does the home feel inviting? Does it look well-kept? Can Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting improve your Central Indiana home’s curb appeal?

Curb appeal isn’t just for people who are trying to sell their homes. People who take pride in their homes often invest in updates and upgrades to keep their home looking neat and pristine. Your home is a reflection of you. A home with overgrown landscaping or peeling paint gives a distinctly different impression than one that is well kept.

Why should you boost your home’s curb appeal?

If you’re putting your home on the market, curb appeal is your first strategy to entice potential buyers to walk through your home. It may require an initial investment, but upgrades often pay you back in the selling price. For instance, according to the National Association of REALTORS®️ 2022 Remodeling Impact Report, homeowners can expect to recoup 100 percent of their expenses for a new roof or garage door when they sell their homes. Cement fiber siding has a 86 percent recovery rate, while vinyl windows carry a 67 percent recovery rate.

But home ownership is more than a spreadsheet of expenses and payoffs. When you invest in your home’s curb appeal, you’re also enjoying benefits that might not necessarily come with a dollar sign:

You enjoy your home. You work hard for what you have. Think of how you feel when you drive down your street at night after a tedious business trip, and you see your home looking well-lit and elegant. Curb appeal creates an important first impression for homeowners and visitors alike.

You feel safer. Overgrown foliage, broken down entryways and multiple shadows can be invitations to criminal activity. When you invest in nice landscaping and fill in the shadows with outdoor lighting, you’re increasing your overall home security.

You’re being a good neighbor. If the home across the street looks sloppy, it’s going to affect how the neighborhood feels. Your neighbors appreciate living near a home that is maintained and elegant.

How to improve your home’s curb appeal

Sure, you can invest in a whole house makeover. But did you know that many curb appeal projects can be accomplished in just a day or so? You don’t have to break the bank – or your back – to improve your home’s curb appeal:

Clean it up. Give yourself a day to trim the shrubbery, pull the weeds and haul away the debris from your yard. What else needs some TLC? Be honest – when was the last time you cleaned your exterior windows? Make them sparkle when you remove the grime.

Paint your front door. If a whole house paint makeover isn’t in the budget, why not focus on the front door? Have fun with a new color that will change the whole exterior.

Power wash your home and driveway. Indiana’s cool wet spring may have left a calling card in the form of dirt and mildew on your home and driveway. If you feel comfortable using your own power washer or renting one, go outside and watch the magic happen when you reveal your home’s original beauty. Remember to always test an inconspicuous patch first, and make sure the materials used in your driveway and home exterior can withstand the power wash.

Turn on the lights. A professional outdoor lighting design by Luminocity will illuminate your home’s best features and add another layer of elegance. When you partner with Luminocity, you’re working with trained outdoor lighting experts and members of the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals. This means you’ll get the best and most durable outdoor lighting fixtures, coupled with a designer who knows how to put your home in its best light. After all, curb appeal should always be illuminated!

Boost your home’s curb appeal with an outdoor lighting design by Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting. Call us now at 317-537-8055 or reach out online. Your home deserves to shine with Luminocity.

]]>
What Happens When Lightning Strikes Your Outdoor Lights? https://getluminocity.com/when-lightning-strikes-your-outdoor-lights/ Tue, 28 Mar 2023 17:59:38 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2582
Lightning strike

Have you ever wondered what can happen to landscape lighting if it gets hit by lightning? The short answer is, “Nothing good.”

On occasion, one of our customers will call and tell us that their property was hit by lightning. One lightning bolt alone can discharge up to one billion volts of electrical energy. To put this in practical terms, this is enough to power a 100-watt lightbulb for three months. That is why a lightning strike can light up the sky, even during the middle of the day.

What happens when lightning strikes?

This electrical discharge is not only powerful, it also generates a lot of heat. In fact, a lightning bolt can heat up the surrounding air by up to 30,000 degrees Celsius (54,000 degrees Fahrenheit). This temperature is roughly five times hotter than the surface of the sun.

Besides striking a tree or house, lightning can also hit the ground. When it does, it may discharge into your landscape lighting system. Once that happens the damage begins. Current from lightning can travel through the wires and often will destroy the fixtures. Lightning can be a strange thing. Some fixtures can be burned badly and destroyed yet others in the system can be untouched.

Sometimes a lightning strike will not only destroy the fixtures above the ground but also damage the wire in the ground. If your outdoor lighting system was hit by lightning, you should assume that the wire has been compromised and will need to be replaced. In most cases, if your landscape lights were impacted by lightning, you should expect to replace them.

Besides damaging the fixtures, lightning can also impact your transformer. Sometimes the damage is minor, and the transformer only needs to have the circuit breaker reset. At other times the transformer can be severely damaged. This picture shows the damage done to a low voltage transformer after the system was struck by lightning. You can see that there is no repair to this transformer.

Is there something that can be done to protect your outdoor lighting system?

Some inline fuses may help, but if the surge is quite powerful it probably won’t make much difference. Enjoy your outdoor lights but know that lightning can strike at any time. Damage to your outdoor lights can be significant. When that happens, you’ll need to report it to the insurance company.

Luminocity can help bring the light back on after a storm. If your outdoor lighting isn’t working after one of our Indiana electrical storms, give us a call at 317-537-8055 . We’ll make the necessary repairs and replacement to give your home the illumination it deserves!

]]>
12 Plants to Add New Texture and Depth to Your Outdoor Landscape This Spring https://getluminocity.com/12-plants-to-add-texture-to-your-landscape/ Wed, 15 Mar 2023 16:05:44 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2574
12 Plants to Add Texture to Your Landscape

As the calendar begins to point to spring (we can’t vouch for the thermometer), it’s time to begin planning outdoor landscape upgrades. That 20-year-old juniper bush may still be evergreen, but it’s also starting to get reedy and disheveled, despite your attempts to prune it. When you introduce plants that add visual texture into your landscape, you create a scene that’s interesting and eye-pleasing. Want to go a step further? Luminocity inspired lighting can help you integrate your outdoor landscape into a lighting design destined to create its own illuminated artwork.

Let’s talk about some good foliage to consider when it’s time to get your hands in the dirt this spring.

It’s about the texture

When you’re planning your trip to the garden center, consider the texture of the plants you’re going to see. Plants typically come in three main textures: fine, coarse, and medium. Fine textured plants are the ones with thin, lightweight foliage. They might be ornamental grass plants, or they may have thin stems and fluffy leaves that create an interesting balance. Coarse textured plants are the ones with the large leaves or blossoms. They tend to grab your attention when you scan your yard. Medium textured plants fall somewhere in between. They aren’t overly large, but they’re not little and delicate either.

As a rule of thumb, you want to plan for 1/3 fine textures and 2/3 coarse and medium textures. But if you’re drawn to the fine textures, by all means, populate your landscape with them. It’s your home, after all.

Fine textured plants

The fun part about fine textured plants is that they give your garden or landscape a casual, fun feel. Their delicate silhouettes complement the bigger foliage and blossoms that threaten to steal the show. By adding these airier textures, you’ll get a sense of natural balance in your garden:

  • Tall verbena
  • Pretty sedge
  • Fennel
  • Baby’s breath

Coarse textured plants

Let’s talk about shadows. Coarse textured plants tend to create broad shadows, rather than the wispy shadows created by their fine textured counterparts. Think about painting with a broad brush – that’s what you’re doing with coarse textured plants. Many people think of tropical settings when they see coarse textured plants, thanks to their lush, oversized foliage and brilliant green hues:

  • Hostas – especially big-leaf hostas
  • Rhubarb
  • Dutchman’s pipe
  • Rhododendrons

Medium textured plants

Somewhere between fine and coarse, medium textured plants work to link the different sizes and textures in your landscape. They can also add elements of color and whimsy to the outdoor setting:

  • Impatiens
  • Daisies
  • Viburnum
  • Camellias

Bringing in the light

Outdoor lighting adds additional elements of depth and value to your landscape. Sure, a few solar-powered lights from the hardware store can illuminate the garden and cast shadows. But an experienced outdoor lighting professional can design outdoor lighting that creates its own artwork among the plants you so carefully selected. Using a combination of uplighting and downlighting, the lighting professionals at Luminocity can intentionally draw the eye to various areas in your landscape design and create depth and highlights, helping your home stand out during the day and at night as well.

Are you ready to update your outdoors this spring? Finish your landscape revival with outdoor lighting from Luminocity. Call us at 317-537-8055 for a quote or reach out to us here to start a conversation.

]]>
4 Reasons Why Professional Outdoor Lighting Installation is Worth the Investment https://getluminocity.com/4-reasons-why-professional-lighting/ Wed, 08 Feb 2023 15:36:45 +0000 https://getluminocity.com/?p=2567

Is professional outdoor lighting worth the money you spend? The answer is a resounding “yes.” Outdoor lighting not only enhances your home’s curb appeal and value, it can also offer extra security, shining light into the shadows around your home. But your return on investment can vary, depending on how the work is done and who’s doing it. A simple outdoor lighting design may seem like a DIY job, but not every homeowner is up to the task of choosing the right fixtures and strategically placing them around the property. Read on to find out why the experts at Luminocity inspired outdoor lighting are worth every penny you’ll spend.

A professional understands how light works

This sounds intuitive, right? You want light, you flip a switch. How hard is it? It turns out that light is an important part of the physics lessons you may or may not have taken in high school. You can’t touch light. You can’t smell it or hold it. But you can see what it reveals. Done well, light can be configured to reveal your home’s best features while creating an aesthetically pleasing work of art. Light placement must consider both the focus of the light and the way the light plays on the home’s features. Light illuminates the home, but it also can create more shadows. An expert understands how to incorporate the light and shadows into the lighting plan by using specific fixtures, placement and a combination of uplighting and downlighting for maximum impact.

A professional understands electricity

You wouldn’t hire an unlicensed electrician to install your indoor lights, so why should your outdoor lighting be any different? Luminocity Founder Karl Lundberg and his team are the best in the industry thanks to their hands-on experience and their investment in education, training, and lighting-related certification. In fact, Luminocity has two of only five Certified Low Voltage Lighting Technicians (CLVLT) in Indiana and is a member of the prestigious Association of Outdoor Lighting Professionals (AOLP). Homeowners can rest assured that their outdoor lighting has been professionally installed and meets all applicable lighting codes.

A professional has access to an extensive network

The right fixtures are essential to a breathtaking lighting effect. Choosing the right light fixtures and designing an outdoor lighting system can be overwhelming. Do you want traditional fixtures? LED bulbs? Different sizes? Our local big box stores typically stock lower end fixtures that are made of aluminum, which may need to be replaced often. They may only offer lower quality fixtures, switches, and timers. Professional outdoor lighting companies have access to durable fixtures that pay you back in longevity and beauty. Karl’s extensive professional network includes lighting experts around the country who can offer advice and leads on specific equipment.

A professional handles maintenance

The outdoor elements can leave a mark on any lighting design. Over time, fixtures can move, and wires may emerge from the ground. Trees and shrubberies grow each year, creating new shadows and changing the original design. Professional companies like Luminocity often offer a maintenance plan to restore lighting systems to their first-day perfection. Technicians will take over the chore of straightening path lighting and burying exposed wires. We’ll inspect and clean each fixture and replace old bulbs with fresh ones. There’s no need to get your hands dirty when you’re working with a professional outdoor lighting company like Luminocity.

Your home deserves the best in the outdoor lighting business. If you’re ready to talk about outdoor lighting solutions, turn to the experts at Luminocity inspired outdoor living. Call us at 317-537-8055 or reach out online now to start a conversation.

]]>