How to Light a Restaurant

A restaurant's lighting makes a big difference in ambiance and safety.

The way a restaurant is lit makes a considerable difference in the ambiance and guest experience. Proper lighting is also important to ensure the safety of customers and staff. If you're a restaurant owner who wants to provide the most appropriate atmosphere and comfortable dining experience for guests and keep your employees safe and efficient, knowing how to light a restaurant can get your eatery off to a good start.

Instructions

1. 

   Take advantage of morning sun to light your breakfast service.

   Consider the type of restaurant and busiest hours of operation. Breakfast restaurants are typically brightly lit to create an inviting morning atmosphere. Take advantage of natural sunlight to save energy by opening blinds and curtains during breakfast service. Fast-food restaurants are better served by bright florescent lights that illuminate busy service areas and attract customers who are in a hurry. In a family restaurant during dinner service, moderate lighting lends a slower-paced, relaxed atmosphere and for a romantic feel, dim lighting or candlelight creates a cozy mood.

2. 

   Keep kitchen areas brightly lit to prevent accidents and errors.

   Use brighter lighting in exits, reception and preparation areas. No matter what type of restaurant you're decorating, certain areas require increased levels of illumination. Bright and even lighting is essential in kitchen and food or drink preparation areas to prevent work-related errors and accidents such as burns, cuts, trips and falls. Greeting and reception areas require brighter lighting so guests may easily recognize hosts and reservations can be clearly viewed. Restrooms and emergency exits should also be brightly lit.

3. 

   Mix it up. Use different lighting in different areas.

   Use a combination of lighting designs. You don't have to stick to one type of lighting for an entire restaurant. In fact, using several levels of illumination and fixtures throughout the establishment is the best way to create the desired atmosphere and keep guests and staff members safe and comfortable. Use small spotlights to accent featured art and decor in dimly lit dining rooms and downward angled fixtures above common movement areas such as hostess stations, salad bars, bar areas and restrooms.

4. 

   Multiple dimmers and switches allow extra versatility.

   Install dimmer switches. An ideal way to add flexibility to your lighting design is to maintain several light switches for individual areas and install dimmer switches. Dimmer switches allow you to turn lights on, off and adjust the illumination to any level in between. Having several dimmer switches assigned to different areas of the restaurant allows you to adjust the lighting appropriately in any area at any time of day without affecting every section of the establishment.

References

• All Food Business: The Right Lighting For Your Restaurant
• Quantified Marketing Group: 10 Easy Restaurant Design Tips
• Archisaurus: Restaurant Ideas -- 10 Tips for Great Lighting

Resources

• Birddog Distributing: Planning Restaurant Lighting For Every Time Of Day
• Chiefly Musing: Restaurant Lighting Tips and Tricks