Restaurants are some of the best places because they’re a hub for socializing over food. A key element to these places is their custom lighting for decorative purposes. There are actually multiple levels to decorative lighting as a whole. These include:
Accent Lighting
When there’s a need to focus on particular points, accent lighting comes into play. This is the term for lights that highlight artwork, corridors, and even signs. It’s much brighter than ambient lighting.
Ambient Lighting
The main lighting source of a restaurant is ambient lighting. It helps occupants with their visibility, whether it’s the waitstaff or diners moving about. As any restaurant lighting supplier will tell you, decorative lighting systems that are overhead or recessed can provide excellent ambient light.
Task Lighting
This is typically what table lamps or pendant lamps are considered. It helps to light pathways and/or tables. That way, people can see what they’re eating or read the menu so they can order.
How to Choose the Right Lighting for Your Restaurant
A good combination of the three lighting types will make for a properly lit restaurant. It should be noted that depending on the time of day, categories can change. Outdoor lamps, for example, are ambient lighting at night and accent lighting in the day.
Read on for tips on choosing restaurant lighting:
Prioritize the Project’s Lighting from the Get-Go
It’s key to have a general look at the technical aspect of the project where lighting is concerned from the start. That way, the atmosphere can get a good boost. It will also be key for better emphasizing the tables. It’s also a key factor in terms of customer comfort; they need to be able to read the menu and see what they’re eating.
Have More Than One Lighting Solution in Effect
There has to be more than one level of lighting in any restaurant. Ambient lighting is at the top of that list, since it’s the primary light source. Applied across various surfaces, rooms look much bigger, and the ceilings also seem higher. Accent lighting can give this an extra boost, highlighting particular details and even furnishings. Of course, task lighting is necessary for areas such as the counter or receiving area.
Don’t Be Afraid to Experiment with Brightness
A restaurant’s atmosphere relies heavily on lighting, which is why brightness can be toyed with. The key lies in ‘warm lights.’ This is a term for lamps whose Kelvin does not exceed 3,000. Having warm lights affords a more relaxed vibe, especially in areas that are rather cold otherwise.
There are many light bars available on the market that can be connected to a dimmer. Depending on the season and/or time of day, the brightness can be adjusted easily.
Conclusion
Lighting plays a key role in any establishment, but particularly so for restaurants. Decorative lighting comes in three levels: ambient, accent, and task. Three ways to choose restaurant lighting are prioritizing lighting from the start, having more than one lighting solution in effect, and experimenting with brightness.
In need of custom restaurant lighting? Reach out to PTY Custom Lighting today! We specialize in beautifully designed decorative lighting for businesses in the hospitality industry.
