Unique Restaurant Lighting Ideas for an Amazing Guest Experience

• In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary’-Aaron Rose.

Lighting plays an important role especially when it comes to hospitality. The food can be delicious but if the lighting is not proper, the customer won’t return.

Good food, fine wine, and proper lighting satisfy the senses of the guest. Lighting is an essential component of the restaurants’ aesthetics and overall design. It provides a welcoming and relaxed environment for guest to enjoy the food while spending some quality time with their family or friends. Lighting enables the diners to read the menu and see their food in the most attractive and soothing way.

The intensity of the lighting fixtures depends on the height of the ceiling, the colour of the tiling, walls, floor, carpets and furniture arrangement. The lighting should spread evenly over the dining area so that there is no space of excessively dark or bright spots.

The intensity of lighting can be low or high depending on the atmosphere and the restaurant theme. For example, a restaurant with a romantic theme might dim the lights more when compared to a fast-food restaurant. However, the reception area of the restaurant should be brighter than the dining room so that the guest can easily find their way and feel the cosiness of the restaurant.

Also Read: Transforming Spaces Using Contemporary Lighting Solutions

Types of Resturant Lighting

Ambient Lighting: It is a primary source of restaurant lighting that allows guests and other staff to move around freely. A recessed or overhead lighting system will ensure good ambient light.

Accent Lighting: This type of lighting creates a high density of light in spaces and draws attention to focal and specific points. These light sources illuminate works of art, sculptures, and furnishings that characterize the restaurant.

Task Lighting: This type of lighting allows customers and staff members to perform functions that need a more concentrated light source like reading a menu or doing some personal work. Pendant lamps or table lamps are perfect examples of task lighting.

Lighting By Meals:

• Breakfast: Generally, restaurants have a bright light so that customers can enjoy their morning cup of tea while reading the newspaper.

• Lunch: If you have a fast-food restaurant, a moderate level of lighting is perfect for attracting a lot of customers for lunch rushes. The bright light at fast-food restaurants can overstimulate guests leading to a tendency to eat more.

• Dinner: Dim lights are ideal for the dinner hour to create an intimate and leisurely atmosphere. Warm and low lighting creates a relaxing and comfortable atmosphere. It increases the chances that customers will probably order dessert, coffee or an extra glass of wine.

Best Lighting Fixtures for Modern Restuarant Decor

Beautiful Pendants for a Classy Look

Pendant lighting is one of the most popular forms of restaurant lighting. These lights are perfect for providing directed task lighting. Pendant lights are functional, stylish and lovely substitutes for giant chandeliers.

Benefits of Hanging Pendant Lights:

• Easy Installation
• Outlines key features in the restaurant
• Provides task lighting for the guest while reading menus.

Wall Sconces to Enhance Decorative Features

Wall sconce is one of the most popular lighting fixtures used in casual restaurants. It provides accent lighting and is typically used to border artwork or any architectural structure. Wall sconce adds depth and interest to space. Wall sconces provide low lighting to create a more romantic and intimate ambience.

Benefits of Wall Sconces:

• Creates a relaxing and cosy ambience
• Highlights menu boards or bar area
• Reinforces restaurants’ concept and brand

Chandeliers for an Elegant and Artistic Look

Chandeliers can uplift the style and dynamics of a restaurant. They are available in a range of different styles and sizes to suit the restaurants’ ambience and theme. Chandeliers are usually used as a statement piece to capture customers attention.

Benefits of Using a Chandelier:

• Easy Installation
• Provides atmospheric lighting combined with elegance
• Creates a focal point in the dining area

Outdoor Lighting for a Long-Lasting Impression

Outdoor lighting attracts customers and creates the first impression the guests will have on arrival. It highlights signs, menu, architectural details and creates an overall welcoming ambience.

Benefits of Using Outdoor Lighting Fixtures

• Creates stand-out signage
• Highlights architecture of the surroundings
• Perfect for a theme-based restaurant
• Entrances and exits are easy to find

Let’s Wrap it Up!

Customers are likely to visit a restaurant if the wine and dine seems tempting. This is why most restaurants use indirect lighting in the dining area. Direct lighting may cast shadows on meals making them look unattractive. The right lighting is the best way to set the mood of the guests. It creates a relaxing atmosphere and guides the eye. Lighting fixtures with the right colour and intensity can make the restaurant feel like the second home.

Stephen Onaola, Ceo of Precise Lighting Store is one of the biggest Nigeria's online lighting retailer and lighting expert.