Atlanta lighting firm shares holiday display design tips

Illuminating Design is outlining the architectural and landscape choices that make seasonal lighting displays stand out, based on 20 years of work in metro Atlanta. The guidance is aimed at homeowners who want a display that looks intentional from the street and ties the whole property together.

Why it matters: - Well-planned holiday lighting can make a home’s architecture and landscape read more clearly after dark. - The right layout can improve curb appeal and create a more polished display from both driver and pedestrian viewpoints. - Homeowners looking for seasonal decorations can use design principles that go beyond adding more lights.

What happened: - Atlanta-based Illuminating Design shared holiday lighting design principles drawn from more than 20 years of custom residential and commercial projects. - Founder and President Bill Frey said great lighting starts with viewing the entire property and how each element works together. - Frey founded Illuminating Design in 2004 to combine technical expertise with custom artistic design.

The details: - Frey said holiday displays should highlight architectural structure, including rooflines, columns, windows, and entryways. - Frey said the main entrance should serve as a focal point that creates a clear, welcoming centerpiece. - Frey said trees, shrubs, and garden beds should be lit to add depth and avoid a visual disconnect between a bright facade and a dark lawn. - Frey said street-level scale matters, with sightlines calibrated from driver and pedestrian perspectives for proper spacing and placement. - Frey said brightness levels should be balanced so soft and bright lights work together without making the display feel chaotic. - Frey said cohesive color choices across the house, entryway, and yard help unify the overall design. - Illuminating Design says it has created major displays across metro Atlanta for World of Coca-Cola, Zoo Atlanta, Emory University, Ponce City Market, Atlantic Station, and Cox Enterprises. - The company says it has completed more than 3,000 installations totaling over 10 million lights. - Additional information on seasonal lighting design and project history is available at the company's website.

Between the lines: - The guidance reflects a shift from decoration as ornament to lighting as architectural design. - The focus on scale, balance, and color suggests high-impact displays depend on restraint as much as brightness. - The company’s mix of residential, commercial, community, municipal, and event work supports its positioning as both a design shop and an execution firm.

What's next: - Homeowners planning seasonal displays can apply the same principles before installation to shape the final look. - Illuminating Design is likely to keep using its project portfolio and design experience to market seasonal lighting services in metro Atlanta and beyond. - The company’s social channels and website provide additional examples and background on its work.