A lit business in December says “open, warm, worth stopping” to every car that passes. Here are the ideas that work for the kinds of businesses we light across Central Illinois, from a single storefront to an HOA with three entrances.
Storefronts and retail
The goal is to be the store people walk toward. Outline the roofline or parapet in warm white C9s so the building reads from across the lot. Frame the entry with garland and a wreath. Outline the windows in mini lights so the displays inside glow. Wrap planters and bollards at the door. On a strip, the lit storefront is the one that gets the foot traffic. More in retail and storefront lighting.
Restaurants and bars
December is party season, and lighting fills tables. Wrap patio trees and run warm white along the pergola and railings so the patio stays in use. Light the entry so it photographs well; guests’ photos are free advertising. Keep the roofline simple and let the patio and entry carry the look. More in restaurant lighting.
Offices, medical and banks
Restraint reads as professional. A warm white roofline, wrapped entry trees, garland at the main doors and a lit monument sign at the drive. Everything on a timer so no one on staff thinks about it. More in office park lighting.
HOA and subdivision entrances
The entrance is the neighborhood’s front door. Outline and uplight the monument sign, wrap the entry trees and run stake lights along the boulevard. Add the clubhouse roofline if there is one. Boards often arrange a resident discount for homes inside. More in HOA entrance lighting.
Churches
A lit steeple is the landmark for the whole town. Add the sanctuary roofline, entry garland and wreaths, soft uplighting on the nativity and wrapped trees along the drive, timed around Advent services and Christmas Eve. More in church lighting.
Car dealerships
Year-end sales run on traffic. A bright warm white roofline the length of the showroom, wrapped lot trees along the frontage and a lit monument read from a quarter mile on Veterans Parkway or Neil Street. Installed overnight so the lot stays open. More in dealership lighting.
Apartments and senior living
Light the clubhouse and leasing office for December tours, the entry monument and courtyard trees for residents. Senior communities especially appreciate lit courtyards they can see from inside. More in multifamily lighting.
Timing and budget tips
- Book by early October. Commercial installs are scheduled first and the pre-Thanksgiving weeks go fast.
- Start with the roofline. It gives the most visibility per dollar. Add trees and greenery as the budget allows.
- Think multi-year. Custom-cut lines are built for your building; the second year costs less, and a multi-year agreement locks in your crew and date.
- Use timers. Lights on at dusk, off after closing. No staff involvement.
- Consider permanent. For a branded, year-round look with holiday scenes at a tap, permanent lighting eliminates the annual install entirely.
Every commercial account with us includes a site visit, a fixed quote, a certificate of insurance, installs around your hours, season-long maintenance and January removal. Request a commercial quote and we’ll bring a design to your building.