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Ultimate Restaurant Lighting Design Guide | DesignBlendz

Written by Designblendz Team | 6/11/18 2:40 PM



One way to make a restaurant stand out is by using the right lighting. Having the right lighting can not only set the mood but also impact how the food looks on the plate.

Proper lighting can encourage diners to stay longer and be more likely to return.

According to a study, 72 percent of diners reported having left a restaurant earlier than planned due to poor lighting. The same study noted 74 percent said they've stayed longer than planned at a restaurant because the lighting made them feel welcome.

We'll explain how to make sure the restaurant lighting design is welcoming and effective.

What you need to know about restaurant lighting design

Here are the key things you need to think about when designing your restaurant lighting.

1. Don't forget about exterior lighting

Properly lighting the exterior of the building will help draw attention to the restaurant and let potential diners know it is open. It's important the lighting adds appeal to the exterior of the building and provides enough light to give a sense of security and avoid accidents.

2. Make lighting central to the design of the restaurant

Planning the restaurant lighting needs to begin at the earliest stages of the design process. You'll need to know the placement of lights in advance to make sure the design has enough electricity sockets to meet the lighting needs.

3. Use a variety of light levels

To achieve the proper lighting effect, you'll need different layers of light. Ambient light sets the general level of lighting, while accent lighting can draw attention to the architecture of the room.

You'll also need direct lighting in areas where workers will need more light, such as cash registers, bars, and the kitchen.

4. Pay attention to light coloring

You'll want to make sure the restaurant lighting design shows the true color of the food and drinks being served. If the lighting changes the color of the food, it could create a poor visual impression of the food and negatively impact the customer experience.

5. Brightness matters

Because lighting is critical to creating the right atmosphere, you'll want to pay attention to how bright the lighting is. In general, warm, cozy lighting will make diners feel more comfortable and make them more likely to stay longer.

The use of automated control systems for lighting can help adjust the interior lighting based on the time of day and ambient brightness to make sure optimal lighting levels are met.

6. Keep up with current trends

Staying up to date with the latest trends can help the restaurant feel fresh. Using newer lighting sources like LEDs can also save money by reducing energy costs and maintenance associated with changing light bulbs.

Mastering restaurant lighting design

Good architecture is known to improve people's moods and having the right lighting is a key part of making sure the architecture does so.

If you're looking to make sure your restaurant has the best lighting, we're here to help. We can move your ideas into reality by providing the solutions you need.

Contact us and we'll be happy to get your plan started.