Why is Lighting Important in a Restaurant

  According to research by psychologists from the Gutenberg University in Mainz, the colour of the light significantly affects the taste of dishes. A glass of white wine tastes better for guests if they drink it in a room lit in white or blue. The colour of the light should also reflect the natural appearance of the food. The light that changes the colour of the dishes deprives them of their value, and the guests get the impression that the food is less tasty. In addition, it should invite people to enter and must be consistent with the image of the premises and the tastes of the target group. It is also crucial that the restaurant lighting is clear and not too intense.

Restaurant Lighting Selection

  Unfortunately, not every restaurant owner is aware of the importance of lighting. With the proper lighting, you can create the right mood, provide customers with comfort, and improve their taste experience. Therefore, it is worth spending the budget to create a remarkable restaurant lighting installation. Each restaurant lighting project should start with the choice of lighting because it will primarily attract customers’ attention and create an unusual atmosphere and mood in its interiors. The secret lies in the skilful placement of lighting points in the restaurant area. 

  The choice of light intensity depends on the character and mood of the premises. If you plan to open an evening restaurant, spot chandeliers hanging above the tables will be better suited, bringing an elegant atmosphere. If you are thinking about creating a dynamic atmosphere, lamps on rails or multi-point light sources illuminating a wide area are the right choice. The lighting for bars should stand out from the rest of the restaurant. It should be directed towards the bartender and not disturb the customers. 

  When lighting a bar, the natural colour temperature of 4000K works best, while at tables and in the area available to guests, it is best to choose to light in the range of 2800-4000K. If the restaurant has a display of dishes or a visible place where you can put desserts and side dishes, you should choose neutral light sources. In the case of cold lighting (e.g. 6000K), meat and fish may take on unattractive green colours on the plate, which may discourage customers from eating them. 

Interior Lighting for Restaurants 

  In addition to the aesthetic aspects, the profitability of using various types of lighting is vital. Some light bulbs draw enormous amounts of power, thus generating large electricity bills. When designing lighting and choosing bulbs, you should pay special attention to LED lighting, which allows you to save up to 70% on electricity and emits high-quality light. If you care about hanging lamps or wall lamps with decorative bulbs, choose LEDs in retro style, i.e. decorative bulbs that do not have high light intensity and therefore do not consume large amounts of energy.

  Lighting in the restaurant kitchen is also crucial, as it must meet the standards and provide employees with the required working conditions. It is also vital that the lighting fixtures in the restaurant are easy to clean and are food safe. Lamps in a restaurant kitchen should:

  • be energy-efficient. Modern LEDs consume much less electricity than usual light sources. In addition, they have better lighting parameters and the quality of the emitted light.
  • be easy to keep clean. The kitchen is buzzing all the time, and the chefs prepare dishes. In all this confusion, dust, oil, and food smoke can build up on the lamps. A smooth and easy-to-clean surface is the key to good kitchen work.
  • match the interior design. Although the kitchen is a separate room for restaurant employees, it is worthwhile to design the lighting to match the restaurant’s character.
  • provide the right amount of light. Everyone has slightly different needs when performing their tasks, so it is crucial to hang a lamp at each position, with the help of which the employee can adjust the amount of light to his needs. 
  • meet all lighting standards. It is worth using the services of experienced electricians or construction contractors who know the exact properties of restaurant lighting included in numerous regulations.