The right balance of lighting is a key ingredient in a successful restaurant; it is not just functional, but also helps to set the mood and brand identity. A well-designed lighting scheme complements the food, service and decor of the restaurant, and enhances the level of customer satisfaction. 

Setting the tone

The lighting contributes to the mood and atmosphere of the restaurant, so consider what type of venue you have and what the general vibe is. For example, if it’s a gourmet bistro that attracts couples and discerning diners, then you would probably aim for soft LED lighting that emits a gentle glow, rather than harsh overhead lighting.

On the other hand, if you have a diner that is buzzing with a young crowd during the daytime, bright cool lighting can contribute to the sense of energy and flow in the room. If your venue switches between a distinct day and night time atmosphere, dimmer switches will give you the flexibility to adjust your lighting between brighter and softer moods.

Enhancing the theme or brand identity

Themed restaurants often have focal points; for example coastal eateries with nautical displays such as model ships, coloured glassware, nets, lobster pots and so on. The lighting can be directed to draw attention to these elements, helping to highlight the theme and thus making the restaurant seem more inviting and memorable to customers.

The architectural features of the building itself could also be a part of the restaurant’s identity, so consider how well the lighting showcases details such as high ceilings, decorative plasterwork, or original features of note such as fireplaces. 

Consider practicalities 

In bar or kitchen areas, task lighting is obviously your priority to enable staff to work efficiently and safely. These areas may require shatterproof light covers to minimise the risk of glass fragments showering in food and beverages in the event of a breakage. 

If a lightbulb or cover were to break into pieces and scatter where food or drink is being prepared or consumed, it would be necessary to dispose of the entire stock of uncovered produce and beverages in the room for health and safety purposes. 

This is obviously time consuming, costly, and damaging to the reputation of your business, so investing in the right light covers can safeguard staff, customers, and your business. 

Prioritise energy efficiency

LED lighting may be more of an initial investment, but it has lower running costs and will usually last longer than traditional forms of lighting. Also consider using digital control systems and automatic sensors so that the lights are only on when necessary, and can even automatically adjust to the time of day or amount of natural daylight available.

If you have a large space with multiple rooms or floors, the lighting can be automatically or manually adjusted depending on the occupancy levels, reducing energy consumption.