When it comes to lighting in cafes, the goal is to create an atmosphere where customers feel comfortable, stay for a longer time, and want to come back again. Lighting fixtures come in various styles and forms, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Choosing the right lighting fixture will depend on the nature of your cafe space, the mood you want to create, and whether you need task lighting or ambient lighting.
Utilize Both Types of Lighting (Ambient Lighting and Task Lighting)
Ambient lighting is used to illuminate spaces without creating glare. It provides a soft and evenly distributed illumination throughout the area. Task lighting is used to highlight specific areas in the cafe such as work surfaces, display cases, counters, and tables. These lights should be bright enough to provide clear visibility but not excessively bright to cause discomfort.
Using Low-Level Dim Lighting
Using low-level dim lighting in a cafe helps create a more intimate atmosphere. Dim lights are often considered relaxing or romantic and encourage customers to linger in the cafe.
To achieve this effect, it’s recommended to use light sources with a low color temperature (around 2700K-3000K) and dimmable lighting fixtures. By adjusting the light level to be lower, you can create an ambiance, providing a sense of privacy for guests and enhancing the cozy atmosphere.
However, when implementing low-level lighting in a cafe, it’s important to ensure the safety and ease of navigation for both staff and customers. Task lighting should be used to provide adequate illumination in areas where people need to move around to prevent accidents or
discomfort.
What Should be the Color Temperature in Cafes?
There are two main categories or colors of light bulbs: warm yellow and cool white.
Cooler colors are best suited for the working areas of a cafe. The most important feature of cool- colored bulbs is that they stimulate a sense of energy and increase attention levels in people. You should use these bulbs in areas such as food preparation, and dishwashing areas.
Warm-colored bulbs create a sense of comfort and relaxation in people. Individuals seeking relaxation tend to stay in such environments for longer periods of time. If you want customers to linger and spend more time in your cafe, warm bulbs are a must.
However, if you are running a fast-food establishment, you may not want your customers to stay in the cafe for longer periods. In this case, you should prefer cool white bulbs instead of warm-colored ones.
Cafe Counter Lighting
Lamps that used to illuminate and showcase food on counters, the Color Rendering Index (CRI) values of the bulbs are crucial. People tend to choose food not only based on taste but also with their eyes, making food presentation extremely important, especially in cafes. Cakes, pastries, and all other food items served in the cafe should be presented to customers in their true, natural colors. The last thing you want is a flawed lighting choice that makes a great cake look bad.
Color Rendering Index (CRI) can be defined as a measure of how accurately a light source reproduces the colors of the illuminated object. If you use bulbs with a low CRI value on counters, it can lead to improper display of product colors and goods do not look as it should.
For countertop lighting, using pendant lights hung at regular intervals creates a more visually appealing cafe. Use an odd number of pendants if possible (3, 5, 7, etc.). Placing the center pendant in the middle of your counter helps maintain lighting and visual balance.
When hanging the pendants over the counter, ensure they are at an appropriate height that doesn’t obstruct the view of your cafe for the staff and customers.
Use of Chandeliers and Large Pendants in Cafes
Large pendants and chandeliers are essential decorative elements in cafes due to their visual impact. They perfectly enhance the ambiance and play a significant role in attracting people and making them feel comfortable. The entrance of a cafe should be warm and inviting, and one easy way to achieve this is by illuminating it with a sparkling chandelier, if your space and ceiling height allow for it.
The large and dazzling chandelier will also leave a lasting impression on people passing by on the street. Allow your grand chandeliers to be visible from the outside.
How should tables be illuminated in cafes?
Candles can be used to create a dimly lit atmosphere on cafe tables, but a better solution is to use rechargeable, wireless table lamps that have become possible with advancing technology.
These wireless table lamps eliminate the need for cables, avoiding any clutter on the tables. With adjustable light levels, the table can be illuminated brightly or dimmed to create a sense of privacy. Wireless table lamps are one of the easiest and most stylish ways to add prestige to a restaurant. Avonni offers a wide range of rechargeable wireless table lamps that will differentiate your cafe from competitors and add prestige to your establishment. Click here for more information.
