Lighting is a crucial element of any establishment, but it’s essential for creating an inviting atmosphere in restaurants. When done right, internal and external lighting can transform any dining space into a relaxing, stylish or modern area for customers to enjoy their food and drinks. Our experts at Vision Lighting have come together to give you the 7 best restaurant lighting ideas to give you some inspiration.
Explore innovative lighting solutions from trough lighting to LEDs available at Vision Lighting? Get in touch today and find out more about what we offer.
Pendant Lights and Chandeliers
Pendant lights are a popular lighting choice in restaurants as they offer both functionality and aesthetic appeal. These lights hang from the ceiling, providing illumination in various areas such as around dining tables and bar counters. Pendant lights come in various styles, from sleek and modern to vintage and industrial, making them a versatile option for any restaurant theme.
To make the most out of your pendant lights, you can choose from a range of LED bulbs that are energy-efficient and cost-effective. LED bulbs come in a range of styles like this GLS A60 bulb and can offer warm lighting for a more relaxed environment or white/bright lighting where stronger illumination is needed.
Similar to a pendant light, a chandelier can also be used with LED Lights. This fixture is sure to add a touch of luxury and sophistication to any indoor area and makes the perfect lighting fixture for lovers of fine dining. With a range of designs from classic crystals to contemporary metal shapes, a chandelier can greatly enhance the aesthetic of any restaurant.
LED Strip Lighting
LED light strips are a brilliant option that creates endless possibilities for creative lighting in your restaurant. These lights are made up of small LED lights placed on a strip that can be installed in many different ways. You could place these lights underneath a bar counter or table to provide stylish illumination from below.
You can also place them along the edges of shelves, doors and pretty much any other flat surface. Strip lights have customisable light settings so you can opt for powerful illumination in key areas like doorways and more subtle mood lighting at the bar or front desk area. These lights are great as they are a fairly inexpensive lighting option and are easy to install. Check out our instruction guide on how to install LED strip lights for more.
You can also purchase RGB strip lights which offer coloured lighting variations. These allow you to light up your restaurant with a range of stunning colours like red, green and blue. This is ideal if you want to create a sophisticated atmosphere at night or if you’re looking for ambient lighting to match the theme of your establishment.
Flood Lights
Flood lights are a must-have if you’ve got an outdoor area at your restaurant. Floodlights offer high luminosity and provide bright lighting in all weathers, making them great for illuminating outdoor areas when it is dark, cold or rainy. You can use flood lights to ensure your patio, beer garden or terrace seating area are well lit for any event.
Flood lights are also a unique way to create a well-lit path to and from your restaurant. This not only makes the route clear but is also a way of attracting potential customers.
You can also use brighter models like 100w flood lights as an additional security measure, deterring intruders from entering the premises and illuminating any potential blind spots around your property.
Wall Sconces
A wall sconce or a wall light is ideal for adding a layer of warmth and character to a restaurant’s interior. These fixtures can be placed along walls to create a soft, diffused light that enhances the dining experience. Wall lights come in an extensive range of designs, fixtures and finishes so they’re a great option for whatever aesthetic you want in your restaurant.
From sophisticated swan lights with a brass finish to traditional fixtures complete with miniature lampshades, a wall light can be a brilliant decorative lighting solution for indoor or outdoor spaces.
LED Candles and Lanterns
These small lights create a charming and cosy atmosphere in any restaurant. Place on tables and along the bar to create a warm, natural feeling of light without the danger of open flames.
LED candles and lanterns have no issues with melted wax or leaking oil and are therefore a great hassle-free alternative to the real thing. They also provide a wireless lighting option which is great for when you need to relocate candles to areas in need of more light.
Cabochon Lights
These gem-shaped lights are ideal for bringing a unique, fun feeling to any restaurant's interior or exterior. Cabochon lights are bright bulbs that can be used in several different ways including as part of customised light signs.
Bring attention to your restaurant by illuminating your outdoor sign or logo with cabochon bulbs. You can customise the colour and setting of the lights to match your restaurant's style or opt for a flashing effect to entice customers.
You can also create a dazzling indoor wall sign using cabochon lights that make for a picture-perfect area for customers to post online. Arrange the cabochon lights along the edge of the wall or doorway to create a bright frame that illuminates the entrance or exit of a room.
You can also arrange to have a custom sign frame or slogan made and then fill the sign's interior with cabochon bulbs.
Sign Lights
The best way to illuminate an outdoor sign and draw attention to your restaurant is by using a sign light. An LED sign light is a very popular option for restaurant or business owners looking for outdoor lighting solutions due to their energy efficiency and value for money.
Sign lights create an even level of illumination across the whole of your outdoor sign, allowing for any text and logos to be clearly visible at all times. They’re also highly weather resistant which means it will be clear to customers you’re open and ready for business even in wet weather.
A Nano light like ours at Vision Lighting is a sign light that has been specially designed to ensure even the largest of restaurant signs is well lit.
If you’re in the market for ways to brighten your business's exterior, you can check out our blog on the best outdoor wall lighting ideas.
Reinvent Your Restaurant with Lights from Vision Lighting
Now you’ve got some exciting restaurant lighting ideas, it's time to choose the right lights for you. At Vision Lighting, we’ve been in the business for over a decade and have experience providing lighting solutions for domestic and commercial use.
We offer some of the highest quality sign lights and LED lighting on the market and we’re dedicated to giving our customers the best LED lighting that lasts.
If you need further advice on the type of lighting most suited to your restaurant, get in touch with our experts at +44 01132 799745 or email us at info@vision-lighting.co.uk and we’ll be happy to help.