Outdoor Lighting Ideas For Your Patio With Robert Huff

Robert Huff: Setting The Perfect Mood With Great Patio Lighting Concepts

Are you aware of the crucial place lighting occupies in your overall outdoor living design? It can determine how your house appears to those on the outside and make a real impact. Even small adjustments to your outdoor design elements can produce a substantial difference. The patio, in particular, is a crucial part of any home, as it sets the stage for countless parties and gatherings. In order to make the patio look, it’s very best, we recommend installing some outdoor lighting. Functionality will increase, but you will also achieve the mood and feel you desire. Furthermore, this type of lighting will bring added safety and security to your space. Continue on to learn more about the sorts of lighting concepts at Robert Huff that will bring your patio to life.

Outdoor Lamps On Battery Power

It is worth pointing out that lighting for outdoor spaces does not need to be opulent to be effective. Simple and straightforward always work well. For instance, it is possible to choose a table lamp for your outdoor spaces that run on batteries. This is ideal when electricity is out because lamps of this sort can run for upwards of 150 hours just on the LED battery function alone. Because outdoor lamps are designed to resist rough weather conditions, they can be used almost any time of year. The resin bases of these lamps are attractively designed to resemble wicker, a common feature of many patio spaces. Robert Huff recommends getting outdoor lamps on battery power for your home. Home lighting most certainly makes your house pop.

Strings Of Edison Lights

Is a vintage look something you covet? If so, a string of Edison bulbs can make your outdoor space match your personal style. Because these lights have adjustable drops, you have the option of stringing them in a uniform pattern or in an uneven, organic way. The softened light emitted from these bulbs will keep your guests happy for hours of nighttime fun.

Nostalgic Lamp Posts

If the flair of a Cape Cod or perhaps even a Victorian home appeals to you, consider the option of a lamp post light. Robert Huff says these options are wonderful simply because there is no digging for gas or electric lines necessary. Just select the lamp post light in the style you love, plug the lamp into a socket and locate it wherever it works best. This is an incredibly simple, yet effective concept! Check out some of the completed projects by the Robert Huff team. 

Robert Huff Outdoor Lamps

There is no denying the classic nature of an outdoor lamp. Of course, it is always important to purchase only those that are UL-Listed. Waterproof cording is great for allowing placement anywhere at all. Glass domes work to keep the bulb itself dry at all times. Outdoor lamps from reputable Houston lighting companies will provide much-needed light to any patio and do so in a stylish and distinctive manner.

Use Light To Furnish The Patio Space

Just picture yourself lounging on the patio under the stars on warm and lovely nights. Maybe you envision a Balinese-themed oasis involving torches and strings of light. No matter the specifics of your patio dream, outdoor lighting options exist to bring it to life. Remember that the patio is just another outgrowth of the larger home, and therefore it is necessary to give it the attention it deserves. By taking the time to carefully select and design an outdoor lighting scheme, you can rest assured that you will be enjoying many pleasant moments basking in the glow.

Contact Robert Huff

For more insight, check out the Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting blog. If you want to speak with a professional, contact us by giving us a call at (713)-861-2000

Enhance The Curb Appeal Of Your Home With The Top Houston Outdoor Lighting Tips

Houston Outdoor Lighting Techniques For Enhancing The Curb Appeal Of Your Home      

Outdoor lighting plays a critical role in helping to increase the curb appeal of your home. Unfortunately, it can also be targeted by thieves. Having a comprehensive Houston outdoor lighting design will enhance your property’s beauty and boost its curb appeal and deter potential intruders at the same time. Outdoor lighting is not something you should ever take lightly. Having high-quality illumination will mean the difference between having an appealing and inviting home at all times to one that isn’t noticed by anyone after it gets dark. Exterior Houston outdoor lighting is critical for safety to prevent falling, tripping, and other types of accidents. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting is an experienced lighting company with years of ongoing expertise. The tips below were given by our professionals and will help you maximize the curb appeal of your home, increase its value, all while minimizing risks:

Tree Lighting Methods

Trees provide valuable focal points which help visitors find their bearings and allow you to safely mount in high places to large areas of your yard. Therefore, take complete advantage of all of the trees that you have, no matter how large or small they are. Begin by placing a couple of lights on the base of the tree facing up, so that it illuminates it from all angles. With taller trees, search for areas where side bulbs can be installed close to the top and with few branches; that will help to project light over a large area of your yard.   

Variable Vantage Points

Trees can help to light up your hard, but most houses don’t have enough trees for them to do the entire job.  Therefore, you should use standing lights to supplement them, with lights mounted on small plants, path lights, and standing lights. Tho effectively do this, the key to this is to vary the scope and height of the lights according to the characteristics of your yard.  

Bright Tall Outdoor Lights

Place bright, tail lights in your yard’s outer area or other spots that are difficult to see. Closer to your door, have lights arranged at waist and chest height, either linked with smaller trees and bushes or freestanding lights. Also, add path lights that lead up to your door. That will complement the light in the interior of your home, to guide visitors and invite them inside. This is why Houston outdoor lighting is important for your home. Home residential lighting is important to have.

Best Practices For Porch Lighting  

Patios and porches offer a transition space between the outside and the interior of your home and invite visitors into your house when they arrive and then ease them back outdoors when they depart. The area’s importance to the remainder of your property should be highlighted by your lighting designs. If you have an overhang, powerful porch lights should be installed, with one being placed about every five feet. For open patios and porches, place lights on each corner, every major architectural feature, and anyplace else with limited visibility. If you are using gas lamps or torches, be sure that electric lights are close by just in case they don’t provide enough light. To check out our work be sure to look at past projects completed by Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting.

Houston Outdoor Lighting Tips

Along with the position of the lights, the following should also be considered:

  • Type: Generally speaking, you should choose LED lights since they use the least energy and provide the most light. They last longer as well.
  • Trigger: Rather than using a switch, you might want to program the lights to come on and turn off at specific times or respond to your motion sensor.
  • Fixtures: Be sure your light fixtures don’t block light, protect against weather, and hold bulbs steady.

For more related content check out our blog. Be sure to contact us today by giving us a call. (713)-861-2000

What Advantages Do Residential Outdoor Lighting Services Provide For Me In Houston TX

The Benefits Of Getting Outdoor Lighting For My Houston TX Home

Our team of outdoor lighting specialists is passionate about helping our clients create beautiful lighting systems that illuminate their homes and improve the curb appeal and value of their home. Our clients love the results that we deliver. If you are thinking about adding outdoor lighting, but are unsure of what to look for, you have come to the right place. Addition outdoor lighting will increase the safety and value of your home will increase the curb appeal of your home. Wehn you work with an outdoor lighting Houston tx specialist, you will create an outdoor lighting plan that will ensure your complete satisfaction and have your home as one of the most beautiful homes in your neighborhood.

Increased Safety For Guests With Outdoor Lighting Houston TX Services

Have you ever been walking after dark and rolled your ankle because of a rock or accidentally stepping in a hole? If so, you know the importance of having well-illuminated pathways to your home. When the areas that are commonly traveled by your and your guests are properly illuminated, you will reduce the risk of a fall or injury like a sprained ankle. Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting Houston TX professionals will make sure to give you the best services around town.

Increased Safety from Houston Intruders With Outdoor Lighting

Outdoor lighting helps your home looked lived in. Having efficient lighting around all of the entrances to your home and all areas that are dark will help prevent intruders from coming onto your property and gaining access to your home. Outdoor lighting fixtures along with lighting control automation will make it look like you are home even when you are on vacation, which can further reduce the risk of a break in.

Increase Time Spent Outdoors By Getting Beautiful Outdoor Lights

When the temperatures are pleasant, most people would rather enjoy the Great Outdoors. Unfortunately, if your home is not lit properly, you will be forced to go indoors when the sun sets. Landscape lighting and deck lighting helps to illuminate your outdoor areas, which will allow you to stay outside on those nice summer nights.

Increase Curb Appeal With Outdoor Home Lighting

Homeowners take pride in their property. One way this shows is through effective outdoor lighting. Outdoor and landscape lighting can add interest to your property after the sun goes down. If you are planning on selling your home in the future, you should invest in outdoor lighting now. This will allow potential buyers to see your home even after the sun has set. Furthermore, a well-lit facade is very inviting and can help interested buyers take a second look at your home.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting

Residential and commercial outdoor lighting Houston TX specialists understand that outdoor lighting is expensive; however, it offers numerous benefits, including increased security, safety, and curb appeal. If you are interested in taking your home to the next level, give us a call today to see how we can enhance your home with outdoor lighting.

To learn more about outdoor lighting Houston tx services, check out our website & our blog. For any questions or concerns, give us a  Call today.,

Wrap Your Trees With Outdoor Lights To Make Your Houston TX Home Pop!

Achieving Impressive Effects For Your Home Through Tree Outdoor Lighting In Houston TX

Most of us can identify the particular features of the properties that we adore. My home’s stone facade is what I favor, but my sister would say her garden space is the ideal space. A large number of folks point to landscaped areas as their true loves, with trees being among the most important elements.

Decorate Your Trees With Lights

When it comes to outdoor lighting schemes, the attention paid to trees is paramount. Trees are critical parts of any yard space, given that they add tremendous amounts of curb appeal while also improving the environmental air quality. The sense of serenity provided by trees is difficult to match, and almost everyone finds them extremely appealing. Training some artfully placed lighting on one or more main trees is a great way to achieve a dramatic and impressive look. Generally speaking, three primary methods of lighting trees exist, namely moonlighting, spotlighting and shadowing. Robert Huff is the best outdoor home lighting Houston TX company that you will find. We are driven by results.

Outdoor Tree Spotlights

Perhaps the most evident and intuitive method of lighting a tree is that of spotlighting. It works well for large trees situated on a piece of property. Though substantial trees are stunning during the day, they tend to diminish in their impact after sundown. In order to make such a tree a focal point at any time of the day, spotlighting can fit the bill.

Tree Spotlighting Techniques

Spotlighting techniques utilize fixtures that are placed at the tree’s base and tilted upward toward the foliage. With lighting set level to the ground, it is possible to send beams through the branches as well as along the length of the trunk. A slightly less obvious method is that of moonlight. The objective here is to mimic the look of the light that comes down from the moon. As such, fixtures are placed up high within the tree branches themselves and tilted downward through them. The beams of light are less bright in relation to the trunk, but the shadows that are cast along the ground are breathtaking indeed. This technique is especially effective in garden spaces and seating areas.

Landscape Spotlights For Your Home

The final method of lighting to be discussed is known as shadowing. While the tree is certainly the focus, the shadows it is capable of making also take center stage. Shadowing strategies make sense when a tree is set just in front of a structure, lending a sense of needed depth. Fixtures are set to the front of the tree itself and tilted in such a way as to send the shadow to the best possible spot. As you collaborate with the providers of the outdoor home lighting Houston TX residents trust most, take the time necessary to explain which trees you would love to see lit in dramatic fashion. The team will do what it takes to bring your vision to life.

If you are interested in speaking with an outdoor home lighting Houston tx professional, call us today or contact us for more information. If you want to see related content please check out our blog.

Outdoor Home Lighting: Deciduous Tree Lighting Ideas With Low Voltage In Houston TX

4 Low Voltage Deciduous Tree Lighting Ideas From The #1 Outdoor Home Lighting Company In Houston TX

When considering lighting for large deciduous trees, there are a variety of approaches and techniques which are easy to incorporate. The correct low-voltage lighting for trees necessitates an artistic eye and a vision when it comes to what you want to experience and see at night. Outdoor Home Lighting Houston TX offers a few basic guidelines to assist you with your own creative processes. These tips are divided into 4 canons which include:

• Balance And Composition

• How To Create Depth through Layering

• Choosing The Right Trees To Accent

• Fixture Options For Different Trees

1. Balance And Composition

It is important to gain an understanding that it is not necessary to have lights shining on every aspect of your landscape. You want to achieve balance which makes it essential to take an overall view of your available space. Using an artistic approach, highlight interesting aspects around your outdoor spaces. Balance will mean to find flow which will naturally carry the gaze of the viewer around the overall scene you would like to achieve. When you find rhythm, this will result in a stunning lighting composition that your guests and you can enjoy.

2. How To Create Depth through Layering

The creation of depth using layering is one of the concepts that are harder to grasp, according to Outdoor Home Lighting Houston TX. When it comes to creating depth, in combination with composition and balance, it is essential to understand how important it is to use both shadows and light. Shadows are what add drama to the scene along with creating artistic visions. For example, using a row of 5 tree that are spaced closely apart, a great effect would be to light the middle and the 2 end trees. This technique creates intrigue, shadows, balance and drama. The element of depth is achieved in the way of lighting varying features across the landscape. Some more ideas to help your residence look beautiful are outdoor lighting design trends to help enhance your outdoor presence.

3. Choosing The Right Trees To Accent

There are specific deciduous trees that are suitable for lighting. Below is a list of the trees which manage to stand-out and are worthwhile considerations when you are making a decision on what trees in your garden you would like to accent.

• Japanese Maple

• Tri-colored Beech

• Willows

• Cherry Blossom

• Weeping Cherry

• Flowering Pear

However, these are only suggestions as every landscape will contain a variety of different features and trees. You should focus on lighting the features and trees that interest you. At the end of the day it boils down to personal preferences when it comes to deciding what aspects around your outdoor spaces seem the most captivating and which ones will work well with lighting elements.

4. Fixture Options For Different Trees

Dependent on the tree you have decided to light as well as its location, there are different ways in which to approach how you are going to light it. The general rule involves lighting the majority of trees from their cores. It may seem like a good idea to set the fixtures further back in your goal to capture the entire canopy, but you should avoid underestimating the overall impact of lighting the beauty of the tree from within. The amount of fixtures required will also vary according to tree’s size. For example, an ancient Cottonwood, will definitely need a number of lights. In most cases you will need at least 3 or more lights that surround the trunk of the tree to assist in illuminating the tree and creating the right visual impact. You can also use lighting in other locations other than just your flower beds when using the correct fixtures. For example, a large maple can be lit up with a covered well-light. The smaller trees will require a different approach. For example, an ornate and smaller tree such as the Japanese Maple works well with a well-light or other fixtures that aim at bringing the light sources down to the lower focal points. A defused lamp inside a well-light can make a tree like a Japanese Maple really pop.

To learn more about outdoor home lighting Houston TX Services,  check out our website and our blog. For questions or concerns, please Call us now.

 

Intensify & Create A Beautiful Atmosphere For Your Living Space With Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting Designs In Houston

Enhancing Your Outdoor Living Space With Beautiful Houston Outdoor Lighting Designs

Enjoying your backyard after dark can come down to the right Houston outdoor lighting design. When you are ready to unwind on the back patio after a hard day’s work, there are certain things that make your experience more enjoyable. Some of these things include feeling the warm summer breeze on your skin, taking up your position over the grill in order to serve some serious summertime barbecue, and kick up your feet with a cold beer in hand. While your satisfaction could be attributed to many things – including the above – the moment is quite enjoyable because you got the chance of escaping from the rest of the world. In fact, your outdoor space is where you unwind forgetting about all the madness that goes on during the day. The outdoor lighting can play a big part in enhancing your outdoor experience during the warm summer months. The Houston outdoor lighting should be tailored to meet your specific needs and enjoyment. In fact, you have worked very hard to build an escape – and the evening is the time you really get to enjoy the day. Houston outdoor lighting can either enhance or deflate your evening experience. That is why you need to pay close attention to Houston outdoor lighting at all times.

Designing A Tailored Lighting System

Is your outdoor space used to entertain guests? If so, the designer may consider a different approach when lighting your backyard. In fact, he or she may create some festive lighting designs depending on your specific setting. If pool lighting is an issue, the designer might have the perimeter of the pool deck illuminated by tiki-lighters. These are tall are lights that are very important to offer a functional safety with a tiki torch on top – which can be lit for the right occasion. In fact, pool lighting may create an amazing atmosphere in your backyard- when done the right way. Is security your concern? In fact, steps and elevation changes can always pose a danger in the dark.

Houston Outdoor Lighting Designer

Your designer will take a look at places where there are trip hazards and illuminate such areas in order to improve the safety in your backyard. He or she will look for places in your garden where security lighting is lacking and create a ring of lighting security in such areas such as layers of lights in order to deter trespass. Is tranquility the priority in your backyard? The outdoor living space is your retreat. Hence, you want the place to be relaxing, inviting, and warm. Your designer will use the key elements in the landscape in order to enhance the natural beauty of the area. In fact, water features, statuary, and plant materials will become the focus in this regard.

Putting On Your Night Goggles

Creating a wonderful landscape lighting design includes designing a space that would be enjoyed during the evening and nighttime. This is difficult than most people would think. In fact, envisioning how your space would look at night with the right lighting is not an easy task. That is where a professional Houston outdoor lighting designer comes in handy. In fact, such a designer knows how to use night goggles. A reliable Houston outdoor lighting designer knows how to create the best atmosphere in your backyard.

To learn more about outdoor home lighting Houston TX Services,  check out our website and our blog. For questions or concerns, please Call us now.

Robert Huff Outdoor Lighting: A Guide On How To Avoid Making Silly Commercial Landscape Lighting Mistakes

Easily Sidestepped Commercial Landscape Lighting Errors

Some of the more commonly committed mistakes in the realm of commercial landscape lighting include the generation of light pollution, using low-efficiency bulbs and utilizing too many fixtures that are the same as one another. The fact is that landscape lighting in the commercial arena is essential to keep safe your business, the property surrounding it, your employees and your customer base.

Typical Mistakes in Commercial Landscape Lighting Design

1. Failure To Use LED Bulb Products

The ways in which LED fixtures can produce real savings of time and money are numerous. First, they last far longer than conventional bulbs, resulting in a much less frequent need for replacement. LEDs are able to last upwards of 11 years, even if they run around the clock, and up to 22 years if they are operated only half the time. Light is emitted from LED fixtures in a different manner than from conventional bulbs. Rather than burning completely out, these bulbs begin to slow their output of light until eventually, they are noticeably dim. Bulbs of this type use far lower amounts of electricity, and therefore the utility bills that result tend to be much cheaper on a monthly basis. You also could consider hiring professionals to do the work for you. Check out Robert Huff commercial landscape lighting projects we have completed. we have completed.

Some key positives of LED commercial landscape lighting fixtures are:

  • Energy efficiency and environmental friendliness as compared to traditional lighting. Ability to stand up to harsh weather conditions and other stresses
  • Zero emission of UV rays and emission of almost no infrared light, rendering LEDs perfect for use in areas containing items that are heat and radiation-sensitive, such as food, art, and other delicate products
  • Capacity to run on lower voltage supplies of power
  • Brightness is achieved instantly with LED lights, and the fixtures can be turned off and on with great frequency without damage
  • Able to work even when placed in extreme temperatures
  • External reflectors are unnecessary, as LED design helps concentrate light on specific spots

2. The Scourge Of Lighting Pollution

All lighting fixtures are meant to produce enhanced visibility for workers, visitors, customers and the like. When there is too much light for a given space or the existing light is poorly placed, visibility can actually be hampered. Therefore, it is essential that the appropriate sorts of lighting in the proper voltage amounts are installed so that lighting pollution, unpleasant glare, and other problems can be avoided. Check out the best commercial outdoor lighting company in Houston.

3. Utilization Of One Kind Of Lighting Fixture Only

The lighting fixtures used ought to blend seamlessly together in order to create a cohesive whole. It is important to make sure that the fixtures do not all look exactly the same, however. This would lead to a boring overall effect. Add a bit of visual interest and design appeal by choosing a carefully curated mix of fixtures. An added benefit of such a strategy is to create nuances of light levels which will be easier on the eye.

4. Excessive Of Intrusive Lighting

It is critical that outdoor light fixtures provide sufficient illumination for the tasks at hand, but they must not overpower the surroundings. There really are times when a lighter hand is needed in terms of lighting. Drawing attention to key visual elements, such as business signage, is a vital priority, as is highlighting sidewalks and stairs to provide additional safety measures.

5. Failing To Use Adequate Lighting

While excessive lighting is a problem, so is insufficient lighting. If lighting is too low to do what is required, there really is no point to having it at all. The key is to strike the right balance with the help of one of the most reputable Houston lighting companies.

To learn more about outdoor home lighting Houston TX Services,  check out our website and our blog. For questions or concerns, please Call us now.

Watch Where You’re Going With Houston Outdoor Lighting

A Homeowner’s Guide to Path Outdoor Lighting in Houston

The night sky is absolutely gorgeous with its twinkling stars and beautiful moonlight. Unfortunately, there are only a few nights a month that the moon and stars are bright enough to light your way. Outdoor path lighting helps you be able to safely get from point A to point B after the sun goes down. Whether you are traveling to your front door from your driveway or going to the pool, outdoor path lighting makes all the difference. These low-voltage lights are not bright enough to spoil your nighttime view; however, it will keep you safe.

If you are looking for outdoor lights that are brighter and offer more control than your typical solar path lights, look no further than the LED or halogen lights. These lights last longer than incandescent lights and are more energy efficient. Once we design your outdoor path lighting, you will be able to enjoy a lit up walkway without worrying about costs, replacement lighting or burnt out light bulbs.

Every Landscape is Different and Should Be Designed that Way

Our professional outdoor lighting specialists’ focus on making sure that all of your outdoor paths are effectively lit for your safety. In order to do this, our specialists will schedule a complimentary consultation where they will discuss your goals for the project and any challenges that they may be facing. They will determine how to place path lights so that the safest route is illuminated, even in uneven areas or through the thick greenery.

Do you have children? If so, the professionals will ensure that areas, where toys may be located, are illuminated. This will help prevent guests from accidentally running into toys and tripping or damaging your child’s toys.

Even if you do not have a defined walkway made of pavers or concrete, our specialist can help. We offer a number of different lights to illuminate both the perimeter of our landscaped beds as well as your defined walkway. The best path lighting will ensure that your pool, hot tub, driveway, garden, and walkway are illuminated to ensure your safety throughout the year.

Call or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Houston Outdoor Lighting to get started on your project! Visit our blog for more outdoor lighting ideas!

Residential Outdoor Lighting Ideas For Your Houston Home

Houston Residential Outdoor Lighting Designs

Our passion is residential outdoor lighting Houston. Here, we are always trying out new ideas that are both innovative and creative. They show off the beauty of the great outdoors. Come, explore our ideas on residential lighting to get inspiration for your next design.

Bring The Inside Outside

A lot of our contemporary lighting fixtures appear to look much like the stylish indoor lighting you’re used to. From pendant lights to modern floor lamps and even drop lights, we can help you to design and create your own ideal outdoor lights. Your outdoor area will look both chic and unique. If you have a design aesthetic that you want to show off, you may want to focus on some of this inspiration.

Consider Both Safety And Security

With our innovative designs, you don’t have to sacrifice your safety for style. There is a way to get the best of both worlds. Consider LED lights along the path. Your guests will appreciate being able to see along the way. Your architectural lighting and landscape can all double as security lighting on your property. this way, intruders will be seen and your family and friends can navigate to and from your home safely.

Set The Mood

What mood do you want your outdoor space to show? Quiet? Fun and exciting? How about relaxing? Regardless of whether you’re hosting the most fabulous pool party, or just relaxing in the great outdoors, you can still create the ideal ambiance with your outdoor lighting. There are many great adjustable solutions that will allow you to design your outdoors and set the mood. We can help you to design the ideal outdoor spaces.

Remember: Less is Always More

When it comes to residential lighting, less is always more. You don’t need the brightest or the largest, you simply need to subtly accent the best features in your outdoor areas. You can use simple lighting which is far more effective at showing off your yard. Designers can assist you in your lighting as you go.

Call or contact us today with any questions you might have. Visit our blog for more outdoor lighting tips and tricks.

The History On Christmas Lights By Robert Huff Illumination

An Introduction to the History of Christmas Tree Lights

Have you ever wondered about the history of Christmas lights? You probably understand that electricity was not around at the birth of Jesus; so, when did the populace begin associating electrical lights with the birth of the Savior?

Christmas Lights Began with Fire

Christmas lights, also known as fairy lights, are used around the world in Christmas displays and decoration during the holiday season. The tradition started when Christmas trees were lit using candles. The light from these candles was to symbolize Christ as the “light of the world.”

Early Germans (1500 to 1800) were the first people to bring Christmas trees indoor and decorate them with candles. However, because the candles used to light the Christmas trees posed a fire hazard, Christmas trees were not brought into the home until a couple of days before Christmas and immediately disposed of following the holidays. The Germans attached the candles to the Christmas tree using either melted wax or pins.

The danger associated with using candles was so great that Christians would keep constant watch and have buckets of water or sand on hand to douse the tree should a fire occur. Additionally, the candles were only allowed to burn 15 to 30 minutes before they were extinguished.

Additionally, Christians placed candles in their windows to let passersby know that a Christian resided in the home. These candles were an invitation for other Christians to enter the home and worship with them. Finally, Yule Logs were used in Germany as early as 1184.

Early Christmas celebration often used Yule Logs, Christmas trees lit with candles and candle in the windows; however, light has played an important role in Winter festivals even before the birth of Jesus.

During the winter solstice, fire and light were used. Lighting fires and candles during the darkest day of the year not only provided warmth but was also thought to encourage warmth and light to return from the Sun.

The Invention of Modern Christmas Lights

Thomas Edison was an inventor, showman, and businessman. He would entertain investors and businessmen on the first floor of the Menlo Park Laboratory with his phonograph concerts. Additionally, Thomas Edison was the first person to ever use electric Christmas lights during the holidays.

Edison kept an incandescent light bulb burning for thirteen and a half hours in 1879. Later the same year, he was able to invent bulbs that continued to burn brightly for more than forty hours.

By the Christmas holiday of 1880, Edison hung the first electric Christmas lights in his home and around the Menlo Park Laboratory. According to an article in the New York Times on December 21, 1880, Edison hosted a private exhibition for approximately forty gentlemen, including those in the New York City government, to explain the principles behind his electric lights and showcase his display.

While the purpose of the private exhibition was about business and replacing the city’s current gas lights with new electric one, many reported that they were impressed that the glass globes were shiny and clean. The 800 lights used was a sight to behold, according to attendees.

Many have debated whether Edison’s original intent was to associate his electric lights with Christmas; however, the timing of the introduction of these strings of electric lights made people associate them with Christmastime.

At the end of his demonstration, he held a private phonograph concert and a meal featuring roasted turkey, duck, ham and chicken salad.

It wasn’t long until Edward H. Johnson, Edison’s partner, used these electrical lights to eliminate his own Christmas tree. Eighty red, white and blue lights were hand-wired and strung on to his Christmas tree. Mr. Johnson’s illuminated Christmas tree was visible through the windows in his home and crowds would gather outside to witness this electrical engineering feat.

Nowadays, Christmas tree lights are used to illuminate homes, windows, villages and Christmas trees around the world. In Texas, Houston Christmas lighting is one of the most important things. Those bright, twinkling lights are found throughout the city both inside the homes and outdoors, signaling the beginning of the holiday season.

For more lighting tips, tricks, and trends call or contact Robert Huff Illumination & Outdoor Lighting today!