The eye eats with you: the right lighting in the restaurant

The first thing you see in the restaurant is the furnishings and the matching lamps. Good lighting is inviting and puts the dishes on the menu in the right light. The restaurant lighting also underlines the ambience. Those who feel good stay longer, consume more and come back.

In this article we show how lamps can be used sensibly in the catering industry, what types and styles of lamps there are and why a sophisticated lighting concept offers real advantages for both restaurateurs and guests.

The magic of light in catering establishments

Light determines whether a room appears cool or warm, hectic or relaxed, inviting or intimate. Gastronomy is all about enjoyment, lingering and having conversations. This is exactly where a good lighting concept comes into its own.

A slightly brighter entrance area signals to the guest that this is the optimal place to eat and I can see what ends up on my plate. A dark bar, on the other hand, appears intimate and invites you to have an aperitif and private conversations. Warm white, slightly muted light makes the environment appear more comfortable, emphasizes materials such as wood, fabric and stone and makes food appear appetizing. Cold white, bright light, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of a canteen. Modern restaurants play with exactly this contrast for targeted routes and a tidy atmosphere at the same time. Here you make perfect use of your work break and you don't get tired after eating. 

Types of lamps in different areas in the restaurant

Different types of lamps usually come together in a restaurant. Each species has its specific function. Play a central role Hanging lamps or pendant lights. They are the classic companions above tables, counters and counters. When used correctly, they bring the light exactly where it is needed: on the plate, in the glass or on the face of the person you are talking to. Depending on your needs, bright and darker light colors are suitable for the right enjoyment. 

A single pendant light above each table creates a small island of light and thus a feeling of intimacy - even in a busy dining room. It is important that the lights do not dazzle and are hung at the right height: too high and the table is in semi-darkness; too deep and eye contact with the service staff and the companion will be impaired.

Chandelier and other striking ceiling lights are highlights and real eye-catchers. They are not just sources of light, but design elements and sophisticated decorations. Whether a classic crystal chandelier in a historic hall or a modern light sculpture made of metal and glass - central ceiling lights add flair.

Ceiling lamps and spots provide the central basic lighting in the restaurant. Without the right light, the atmosphere is lacking and the staff would hardly be able to carry out their tasks. Built-in spot lights and rail systems distribute the light evenly throughout the room or create individual focal points on works of art, shelves or central areas.

Wall lights bring additional peace, relaxation and structure into the room. They illuminate walls, shine upwards or downwards and use surfaces as reflectors. This creates a very pleasant, indirect light that illuminates dark corners. Along a row of walls, wall lights can visually stretch and loosen up the guest room and highlight niches.

Floor lamps give a restaurant a homely feel. You know them from the private living room - and they convey exactly this feeling into the guest room. In lounge areas, next to sofas or armchairs, in waiting areas or in otherwise dark corners, they create a kind of living room atmosphere without going beyond the gastronomic framework. Your advantage: They can be placed flexibly and are decorative at the same time.

Win in the fine interaction with all these lights Table lamps increasingly important. Small, often battery-operated lights on the tables bathe plates, food and drinks in a soft, directed light. They create an almost private atmosphere. Table lamps are small LED table lamps, especially in fine dining or wine bars. The room may appear cozy, but everything on the table itself remains clearly visible.

Come in addition Decorative lights into play: light chains, illuminated shelves, indirect LED strips under counters or along steps and illuminated plants or art objects. When dosed correctly, they create the desired character; When used in an exaggerated manner, they quickly appear restless or tacky. The solution is the perfect balance.

Lighting and the gastronomic concept must fit together

The right lighting concept for a restaurant can only have its full effect if it is stylistically in harmony with the furnishings and the gastronomic concept.

A modern restaurant uses clear lines and reduced forms on minimalism unlike a rustic tavern or a luxurious trendy bar. The minimalist ambience is dominated by simple pendant lights, inconspicuous spotlights and subtle wall lights in black, white or metal. The light is simple but efficient. It highlights the food, but not the lighting itself.

In Industrial style Lamps, on the other hand, can be visible and radiate a certain rawness: metal baskets, visible filaments, dark shades, combined materials such as steel, concrete and wood. Warm, slightly muted light takes away the severity of this harshness and makes the room cozy despite its rough appearance. This style has become particularly established in urban trendy bars, burger shops and microbreweries.

Who on Nostalgia and retro often uses vintage-style lights: ball lights, colored umbrellas, neon lettering or lamps that date from or are reminiscent of the 50s to 70s.

The classic country house or a rustic style live from warm furnishing elements, fabric shades, wrought iron objects and comfort. Chandeliers with a candle look, wall lights with playful designs and floor lamps in the corners create a familiar, almost homely feeling. The light color is usually warm, and the overall experience is reminiscent of a living room - ideal for inns, wine bars or traditional kitchens.

Then of course there are the noble lluxurious restaurants and bars. They create a glamorous feeling through extravagant chandeliers, glamorous surfaces and deliberately used mirrors. The restaurant becomes an event stage and you are the star who can stay in the spotlight for the time of enjoyment.

Why a lighting concept is also financially worthwhile

Anyone planning their own restaurant will be spoiled for choice. Energy efficiency plays a crucial role here. LEDs have long been standard and offer low consumption and a long service life. In a business with many hours of lighting per day, the savings add up noticeably. If you also use motion detectors or intelligent controls in adjoining rooms, you can further reduce consumption.

The question of light intensity and color is also central. Warm white to warm neutral light in the range of around 2700 to 3000 Kelvin has proven successful in most guest rooms. It looks cozy, inviting and at the same time sufficiently clear to fully enjoy the food and drinks.

For kitchens and some ancillary areas, neutral and white tones are useful and effective. The color rendering index is equally important: the higher it is, the more natural the colors appear. This is an important point, especially when it comes to food, wine and cocktails, because no one wants to be served a pale gray steak or an unappetizing dessert.

Dimmers are also another key to a professional lighting concept in the restaurant. It thrives on different times of day: it can be brighter and clearer at midday, a little gentler in the afternoon and significantly warmer and more elegant in the evening. With different light scenes, these moods can be accessed at the push of a button. Modern lighting systems can even be controlled via app or tablet and adjusted depending on the time of day.

A well thought-out lighting concept in the restaurant works without glare. Nothing disrupts a good meal like a bright spot of light or strong shadows. Lamps should be chosen and positioned so that they provide a diffuse glow without straining the eyes. Umbrellas, screens, good reflectors and correctly aligned spots create optimal lighting at the table, in the cloakroom, in the entrance area and at the bar. In addition, well-planned lighting supports work processes. Service routes remain recognizable, service stations and bar areas are sufficiently bright to work efficiently without disturbing guests. Safety is increased and serving errors are reduced. A pleasant, functional lighting environment also has a positive effect on employee motivation and concentration.

Last but not least, light is a powerful marketing tool. In times of Instagram and the like, “photogenic” spaces are a real competitive advantage. Guests are more likely to post photos of food and ambience when the lighting is flattering and the restaurant looks distinctive. Every recording shared on social networks is free and authentic advertising.

From the guests’ perspective, light is primarily a “feeling”. Few can explain why they find a restaurant particularly comfortable or unpleasant; they just feel it. This is exactly where good lighting develops its emotional added value.

A pleasant atmosphere makes it easy to leave everyday life outside. The restaurant becomes a place away from everyday life, conversations are more relaxed, people like to meet eyes and you feel seen but not exposed.

Conclusion

Anyone who runs or plans a restaurant today can hardly afford to leave the lighting to chance. A well-thought-out lighting concept is a central part of the dining experience.

For every successful host, this means a higher response, more flexibility, better working conditions, lower energy costs and a stronger external impact. For guests it means well-being, orientation, enjoyment and memories of a taste experience to remember and recommend. If you want to showcase your restaurant with the right lighting, please contact us. Our lamp online shop from BUYnBLUE offers you a great selection of excellent lamps for every catering establishment.