Guesthouse hotel bar

How to Use Lighting Design in A Restaurant Interior

Lighting is one of the critical elements that can help set the tone in interior design. Especially when designing the lighting in a restaurant or bar, it influences and transforms experiences, sets the mood, and enhances the overall dining ambience in a restaurant.

At Bilden Home & Hardware Market, we understand the importance of creating a well-lit, inviting atmosphere for your dining establishment. As one of the foremost lighting suppliers to the restaurant industry, we can set the tone in chic bars, relaxing hotel getaways and cosy countryside pubs.

Some of the most exciting established and newly opened hospitality venues in the UK have used our interior lighting. The atmosphere at a restaurant may be enhanced or disrupted by the choice of lighting. The ideal lighting setup fosters a welcoming and intimate ambience that tempts customers to linger, unwind, and savour their experience. Additionally, it may give the room a bigger, brighter, and more inviting appearance. Described below is some advice for utilising lighting design in a restaurant.

The bar at the pearl cow in guesthouse hotels

The Pearly Cow bar at Guest House hotel, where Bilden supplied the lighting.

How To Set The Mood Using Lighting In A Restaurant

One of the key elements in setting the required mood is selecting appropriate light bulbs. The quality and colour of the light bulbs you choose greatly influence the ambience of a restaurant. Warm white light from soft white light bulbs has a yellowish tint that resembles candlelight. This kind of lighting is ideal for establishing a warm and inviting mood.

Layering the light can be one of the most crucial components of effective lighting design: creating light layers. Combining ambient, task, and accent lighting can make a room feel balanced and welcoming. Ceiling lights, wall sconces, or track lighting illuminate a space. For example, lighting for specialised tasks, like reading menus or preparing food, is known as task lighting, focused in specific locations and brighter than ambient lighting, such as under cabinet lighting and pendant lights above worktops or dining tables. Accent lighting draws attention to particular elements in the space, such as architectural or artistic characteristics. Track, recessed, or spotlights accomplish this with directional heads.

It's essential to consider the colour of your interior and the overall look and feel of your restaurant when acquiring light fixtures. When selecting light fixtures, consider the colour of your walls and ceilings. For instance, you could use brass or copper fixtures to brighten a room with dark wood floors and white walls. Consider employing exposed bulb fixtures or track lighting if your restaurant has an industrial character. Additionally, if your ceilings are high, chandeliers or pendant lights can lower the eye to a human level.

Creating The Right Ambience Through Lighting In The Hospitality Industry

Using dimmer switches on your light fixtures is a simple way to define a restaurant's atmosphere efficiently. Dimmer switches create a more intimate atmosphere during dinner by dimming the overhead lights, preventing your guests from feeling overwhelmed by lighting when they first enter the room. Dimmers are also helpful in converting from daylight to evening operations.

Bilden is here to guide you in making the best lighting choices for a restaurant. When selecting the relevant lighting fixtures, consider how you plan to layer the lighting, pick appropriate bulbs, and consider the colour of your interior. You can design a brilliantly lighted room that will make your customers feel at home and entice them to come back with a bit of forward thought and preparation.

Exploring Styles:

1. Warm and intimate: Consider warm lighting styles for personal, cosy dining experiences. Pendant lights with soft, amber tones can create a romantic ambience, perfect for date nights.

2. Contemporary Minimalism: Clean lines, industrial materials, and a focus on functionality define modern lighting. This style is ideal for contemporary restaurants with a streamlined and sophisticated look.

3. Industrial Chic: The industrial style exposes bulbs, metal accents, and raw, urban charm. It's a popular choice for unfussy and warehouse aesthetics.

4. Classic Elegance: Crystal chandeliers, wall sconces, and ornate fixtures can bring a touch of timeless elegance to your restaurant, making it ideal for upscale dining establishments.

5. Rustic Charm: Wooden accents, mason jar lights, and lantern-style fixtures can infuse a rustic, welcoming feel into your space. This style is perfect for farm-to-table and cosy countryside eateries.

Bilden Home & Hardware Market act as a supplier to the lighting industry.

We've carefully selected brands and products that cater to various design styles, ensuring you'll find the perfect lighting solutions to match your restaurant's unique identity.

We are committed to simplifying the procurement process for interior designers, architects, property developers, and restaurant owners. Our user-friendly platform provides an extensive selection of lighting products, from pendant lights to chandeliers, wall sconces to spotlights, all within easy reach.

Our focus on making technical details easy to understand means you'll find clear product descriptions, specifications, and expert guidance to help you make decisive decisions. We believe that well-informed choices lead to well-designed spaces, which we aim to provide.

Chefs preparing food at the pearly cow barChefs preparing food at the Pearly Cow bar at Guest House Hotel in Margate under the lighting supplied by Bilden.

In conclusion, lighting is a pivotal element in creating the desired ambience for your restaurant. Bilden Home & Hardware Market is not just a marketplace for homeowners and interior designers; we are also your comprehensive supplier for restaurant lighting design. With our curated selection and commitment to providing easy-to-understand information, we ensure that your restaurant's lighting shines bright and resonates with your unique style. Elevate your dining experience with our lighting solutions today.

Photography Catherine Frawley

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