How to Create Ambient Lighting in 4 Simple Steps
How to Create Ambient Lighting in 4 Simple Steps
From subtle hues to more natural effects, lighting has the ability to influence our mood. And in the hospitality industry it’s more important than you think; a recent survey reported that 74% of customers stayed longer than planned in a restaurant because the lighting made them feel relaxed and welcome. That’s why whether you are looking for task lighting in your office to boost productivity or ambient lighting for your restaurant, it is important to get it right.
Ambient lighting – that which is comfortable and relaxing – is the most popular way to illuminate restaurants. Both casual and upscale restaurants encourage their customers to relax and linger over their food by creating the right atmosphere, so they spend more time – and therefore more money – in your establishment. Don’t let lighting be an afterthought, follow our simple guide below to create the right atmosphere for your restaurant.
- Colour Temperature is Key
The warmth of a light is measured in Kelvins, ranging from flame whites at 2000K all the way to cool, blueish lights reading 6000K. Warm white lights give off a yellowish glow which is great for low, ambient lighting. We recommend opting for lighting with a colour temperature between 2000k (flame white) and 3000k (warm white). This kind of lighting is great for creating intimacy around seating areas whilst still offering enough illumination to be able to perform basic tasks.
2. Flaunt your Style with Accent Lighting
Once you have achieved your ambient lighting, add feature lighting to your restaurant’s interior design to show off your brand’s identity. Concealing LED tape under cabinets or bars like this one can have a really dramatic effect..
3. Non-Spotting Illumination is Crucial – even with indirect lighting
When installing linear lighting, many people often opt for LED tape thanks to its low energy consumption and versatility. However, cheaper LED tapes often have fewer LEDs per metre, resulting in unsightly dots of lights rather than one continuous line. Spotting from LED tape can look unnatural, far from the sleek, ambient finish you are trying to achieve. We recommend using an LED tape with around 120-240 LEDs per metre, such as our Optiprofile HD 95 tape by Tagra Lighting. One of the most premium strips on the market, Optiprofile is expertly designed for demanding retail and hospitality installations.
4. Consider the CRI – especially in Restaurants and Retail Environments
Ambient lighting isn’t just about being pretty, it needs to be practical too. The Colour Rendering Index (CRI) of a light source refers to its ability to reveal the colours of various objects truthfully in comparison with a natural light source. In clothes shops or restaurants where the colour of the products you are selling are critical we recommend using lighting with a CRI of 90 or higher.
For more information on our LED products or the bespoke lighting services we offer please contact a member of our team on 0800 088 3300 or via email orders@ultraleds.co.uk.
Thank you to 900 Degrees for featuring. Products used: Optiprofile HD95 LED Tape 2000K, LED Neon Flex Warm White 3000K.