Author Archives: Decorating Elves

20 Jun

4 Ways Outdoor Lighting Benefits Your Home

Look almost anywhere here in Tampa Bay and you’ll notice outdoor lighting. Property owners all over Tampa and the surrounding cities love the aesthetic appeal that outdoor lighting brings to their homes and businesses…but are good looks all that outdoor lighting has to offer? Definitely not! There are many more benefits to outdoor lighting than just a pretty face! In this post, we’ll go over four of the top benefits of adding outdoor lighting to your home beyond just curb appeal. Read More →

14 Jun

Enhancing Safety and Ambiance Outdoors with Step Lighting

Outdoor entertaining is a must here in sunny Tampa Bay, especially now that the days are longer and the temps are warmer. There’s nothing quite like coming together with friends and family on an outdoor patio, deck, or porch, spending valuable quality time with the ones you love most. But once the sun goes down, that inviting outdoor entertainment space can turn into a dangerous nightmare, especially for people who cannot see well or have other disabilities. Steps are of particular concern, as they can be treacherous to navigate in full daylight for certain people. However, strategically placed outdoor step lighting can help solve this problem by illuminating steps so they are easily seen and traversed without fear of falling while also bringing a hint of style to the nighttime landscape. Read More →

15 May

Benefits of Using Underwater Pond Lights

A pond can be a beautiful focal point on any property. Whether it’s natural or manmade, a pond allows you to show off gorgeous water features like fountains or waterfalls, display amazing aquatic life, and add an element of serenity to your outdoor entertainment space. However, when left in the dark, that lovely pond can turn into a lurking disaster. This is why at Decorating Elves in Tampa Bay we always recommend underwater pond lights for all types of ponds. In this post, we’ll go over the top three benefits of using underwater pond lights to illuminate your pond, giving you precise control of the ambiance and security of your property. Read More →

10 May

The 3 Most Common Outdoor Lighting Issues

Outdoor lighting is a great addition to any home or business, allowing you to invite guests over for evening entertainment while also making the property safer and more secure. However, even the best outdoor lighting system can have problems from time to time. In this post, we’ll discuss the three most common issues you will see in an outdoor lighting system and how to correct them the right way. Read More →

19 Apr

Outdoor Lighting Upgrades for Summer Entertaining

Lit up bamboo in pool area of high end residential home

As the temperature slowly creeps back up, Tampa Bay residents are pulling back the winter shades, dusting off the grills, and getting ready for long evenings with great friends. Here in Florida, the backyard is a gathering place for meals, celebrations, and casual hangouts all summer long, so it’s important for yours to look its very best! Upgrade your outdoor space this year with gorgeous outdoor lighting designed and installed by Tampa Bay’s premier outdoor lighting contractor – Decorating Elves. In this post, we’ll go over some of our favorite outdoor lighting upgrades to take your yard from boring to bombastic with outdoor lighting upgrades that will wow even the most discerning of house guests (in-laws included!). Read More →

28 Mar

LED vs Halogen: Let’s Compare

LED lit tropical outdoor space

One of the biggest decisions a person needs to make when they make the choice to install an outdoor lighting display at their home or business is whether they want to use LED or halogen light bulbs and fixtures.Here in sunny Tampa Bay, people are always looking for the next best way to make their homes and businesses look great. Outdoor lighting plays a huge part in how these places look after dark, and can really shape how other people view that home or business in the future. In this post, we’ll explore different features of each lighting type, including their energy efficiency, durability, cost, and light quality to help you make an informed choice that is best for your location and budget. Read More →

18 Mar

Three Common Outdoor Lighting Mistakes

Take a look around Tampa Bay and you’ll see many homes and businesses with gorgeous and elaborate outdoor lighting setups. Seeing all that beauty may leave you itching to set something similar up at your own home, and we don’t blame you! Outdoor lighting is not only aesthetically pleasing but it also increases your property’s safety and security. However, setting up a well-designed outdoor lighting display isn’t as easy as it may seem. We’ve seen lots of different DIY setups over the years, some good and some very, very bad. In this post, we’ll go over the three most common outdoor lighting mistakes we see people make, along with ways you can avoid doing the same. Read More →

04 Mar

Light Up Your Waterfront: The Ideal Time for Dock Lighting

Long beautifully lit dock to boat deck

As the chill of winter fades and the warmth of spring beckons, March marks the perfect time for Floridians to consider enhancing their outdoor spaces, especially those lucky enough to boast a waterfront. Dock lighting isn’t just a practical addition for safety and accessibility; it’s a transformative element that elevates the beauty and enjoyment of your waterfront property. And when it comes to installation, there’s no team more equipped to illuminate your evenings than Decorating Elves. Read More →

16 Feb

The Bright Side of LED: A 7-Year Journey of Efficiency

Hey there, lighting enthusiasts! Let’s talk about LED bulbs – those little marvels that have revolutionized the way we light up our lives. They’re not just about saving the planet one bulb at a time; they’re about bringing efficiency and longevity to our lighting systems. With a lifespan that can stretch up to 7 years, it’s time to consider whether your lighting system is due for a well-deserved upgrade. Read More →