HOTEL LIGHTING: A BASIC GUIDE
Lighting cues apply to all sorts of spaces. The following lighting elements can and should be brought into play when it comes to planning lighting.
Natural Light
Embrace natural lighting. Since most people are indoors for most of the day, having natural light brightening the place up will be well-received. If your location is not ideal for natural light, consider installing lights with a color temperature of 4000k+, as it will be a good alternative to the sunlight. Make sure that there is regular upkeep on any windows to keep the sunlight flowing into the space.
Brand
Your brand image can be conveyed through lighting. You may be a brand that conveys comfort and home, or one that exhibits luxury and grandeur. Whatever it may be, subtle changes in lighting can help your space express the look of your brand. Layering When lighting is layered, it is able to highlight and contrast different things to really make a room special. The ability of layering to make a room go from meh to amazing cannot be undervalued. There are three main layers that need to be balanced in a room:
- Ambient lighting: illuminates the whole room
- Task lighting: lights up areas of activity for better visual clarity
- Accent lighting: to emphasize a certain element as a focal point
Dimmable/Controllable Lights
Different people have different preferences when it comes to the brightness of the light. As natural light shifts throughout the day, you may even choose to save energy by dimming artificial lights. When the sun is shining through the windows, you do not need much artificial lighting indoors. Investing in lights that can be dimmed gives you control over when to use less light and when to turn them on full brightness. Design Although this guide puts more emphasis on the type and amount of lighting, the fixtures that they are arranged in is also a critical point to consider. However, it ultimately comes down to how you choose to style your space.
HOTEL LIGHTING: AN AREA GUIDE
This segment of the guide will address the main section of a hotel, outlining how lighting affects each part.
ENTRANCE/ FOYER
This is what a guest sees when they first set foot inside your hotel. As always, first impressions matter, so be sure this area captivates your guests. The entire entrance area of a hotel consists of four smaller parts that need to be dealt with in a different way.
- Doorway: As people walk into the building, their eyes are not yet acquainted with the indoors. Right as they walk in, try to have lighting that mimics the current outdoor light in order to allow them a period of adaptation.
- Lobby: This area of the hotel is the biggest and most noticeable. Decorative lights are a must in this area. A chandelier is particularly prominent, but other more subtle types of lighting can be great too. A place to sit is often a staple in the lobby, and it’s a good idea to light this area well in case people wish to read.
- Reception: Upon entry into the hotel, people are usually looking for the reception desk. It is essential to make it noticeable. Good lighting can help you achieve this. You may use fluorescent lights, or even put some small ribbons around the edge of the desk to give it a little something special. Since this area is usually very bright, a matte counter may be beneficial as it will minimize glare.
- Corridors: The only thing you need to remember when thinking about lighting for your corridors is that they need to be inviting. That usually means bright and warm – somewhere people would like to walk through. Walking through a dark, cold corridor would be very unpleasant for many guests – lighting it well will give off a welcoming feeling.