Light up the room. Switch on the ambience.

Think of the vibe in your favourite restaurant. The smell of the exquisite food lingering in the air, the bustle of content diners, the tinkling of glasses as another round is poured. It has an atmosphere that makes you feel cosy, serene and…peckish! Much of this inviting experience comes from the ambience created through lighting design, something you may not even notice. A skillful restaurant lighting design has the potential to influence your customers’ entire experience.

Let’s start with the basics. Some of the key things to consider when designing your restaurants lighting scheme is colour temperature, lighting levels and lighting controls. Three factors that are crucial when it comes to creating your restaurant’s desired ambience

Think in layers

For a lot of restaurants their ultimate goal in their lighting design is to give a feeling of warmth and intimacy. Dramatic lighting is essential, with ambient lighting kept to a minimum, or even removed entirely. Accent Lighting will create pockets of interest, revealing materials, highlighting artwork  and architectural details or even putting the spotlight on the food.

Shadows also play a huge role in creating a moody atmosphere in your restaurant lighting design. Pools of light can create moments of intimacy interlaced between fragments of shadow. Decorative wall lights and feature pendants also help to focus attention, reinforcing your branding, and cementing the narrative of your dining experience.

Examine the temperature of lighting

The temperature of the lighting plays a huge role in creating the correct atmosphere in your restaurant. Dining by candlelight creates a very romantic setting. The flicker and warmth of a candle is hard to replicate but not impossible. The artificial lighting used should be very warm (around 2400k and 2200k sources). The use of candles as well, shouldn’t be dismissed, it is a sure way to achieve this romantic soft lit atmosphere in your restaurant.