Lighting is an essential element in the design of any space and plays a vital role in cafes and restaurants. The right lighting can create a warm and intimate atmosphere for customers, stimulate appetite and bring a sense of peace and pleasure. On the other hand, inappropriate lighting can make the space appear cold and lifeless, annoy customers and overshadow the dining experience. In this article from EDC, we will examine the principles of lighting in cafes and restaurants and present up-to-date and stylish ideas for lighting these spaces. We will also explain important tips for choosing the right lights and creating a pleasant atmosphere for customers.

Principles of Lighting in Cafes and Restaurants

Some principles and tips that you should keep in mind when lighting cafes and restaurants are:

Choosing a Theme: The first step in lighting a cafe or restaurant is choosing the right theme. The theme should match the type of food served in the restaurant, the style of decoration and the atmosphere you want to create. For example, if you want to create a modern and stylish space, you can use minimalist lighting or modern lighting principles. If you are looking for a traditional and warm space, you can use wooden lamps, candles and soft lights.
General lighting: General lighting is the light that illuminates the entire space of the cafe or restaurant. This light should be such that it illuminates the space evenly and there are no dark spots. For general lighting, you can use chandeliers, LED panels or ceiling lights.
Local lighting: Local lighting is the light that is used to illuminate specific areas of the cafe or restaurant, such as tables, counters or artwork. This type of lighting can help create a cozy and intimate atmosphere in any part of the cafe or restaurant. For localized lighting, you can use pendant lights, indoor wall lights, table lamps, and candles.
Accent lighting: Accent lighting is light used to highlight specific elements of the decor, such as paintings, sculptures, or plants. This type of lighting can help create a focal point in the space and draw customers’ attention to that point. For accent lighting, you can use halogen lights, spotlights, or projectors.
Natural light: Using natural light in cafes and restaurants makes the space appear brighter and more cheerful and is more economical than artificial light. If possible, try to use large windows or skylights in the design of the cafe or restaurant.
What is the difference between cafe, coffee shop, and restaurant lighting?

Since cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants each have different uses and purposes, their lighting should also be appropriate. Below is a brief comparison of the lighting in these three spaces:

Cafe Lighting

The goal of cafe lighting is to create a fresh, lively and intimate space for socializing, studying and working.

Features:
Brighter lighting with a variety of colors
More use of natural light
Use of LED strings, pendant and wall lights with fantasy shapes
Local lighting on tables for studying and working
Coffee shop lighting

The goal of coffee shop lighting is to create a cozy, relaxing, and pleasant atmosphere for drinks and conversation. Many coffee shops attract more customers because of the special lighting they have in their decoration.

Features:
Softer and warmer lighting
Use of candlelight, soft pendant lights, and wall lights
Accent lighting on decorative elements
Restaurant lighting

The goal is to create a romantic, stylish and luxurious dining space.

Features:
Combination of soft lighting and spot lighting
Using luxurious chandeliers, wall lights and classic pendants
Accent lighting on tables and served food
Dimmed lighting in some areas to create an intimate atmosphere
Suggested ideas for cafe and restaurant lighting

Lighting is one of the most important elements in cafe and restaurant decoration design and can significantly affect the mood of the space and the customer experience. In this section, we will discuss some up-to-date and stylish ideas for cafe and restaurant lighting and introduce the appropriate lights for each idea:

1. Cafe and restaurant lighting with LED strings

LED strips have a beautiful, flexible and energy-efficient light and can be used for creative and diverse lighting.

Suitable places: Ceilings, walls, counters, shelves, under tables and furniture
Suitable lights: SMD LED strips, LED strip strips, LED hose strips
2. Lighting with modern chandeliers

Chandeliers can be the focal point of a cafe or restaurant’s decor, giving it a stylish and luxurious atmosphere.

Suitable places: Above tables, main dining area, cafe or restaurant entrance
Suitable lights: Bubble chandeliers, crystal chandeliers, wooden chandeliers, metal chandeliers
3. Cafe and restaurant lighting with pendant lights

Pendant lights come in a wide variety of styles and can be used to illuminate tables, counters, or specific spaces.

Suitable locations: Table tops, counters, kitchen islands, living areas
Suitable lights: Bubble pendant lights, metal pendant lights, minimalist pendant lights
4. Lighting with wall lights

Wall lights create a soft, pleasant light and can be used to illuminate walls, hallways or small spaces.

Suitable places: Walls, hallways, stairs, above paintings and mirrors
Suitable lights: Modern wall lights, classic wall lights, wooden wall lights, metal wall lights
5. Cafe lighting with candles

Candlelight creates a warm, romantic, and intimate atmosphere and can be used as accent lighting in a cafe or restaurant.

Suitable places: On tables, shelves, counters, gardens, and outdoor spaces
Tips: Use high-quality candles and appropriate candle holders. (Pay attention to safety issues.)
6. Lighting with filament or Edison bulbs

Filament or Edison bulbs have a nostalgic and beautiful appearance and can be used to create a warm and intimate atmosphere in a cafe or restaurant.
Edison bulbs have a high power consumption. Use them locally.

Note: Remember that lighting is a creative process and there are no absolute rules for it. Use these ideas as inspiration and design unique lighting for your cafe or restaurant with your own taste and creativity.

Cafe and Restaurant Lighting Rules and Standards

In addition to beauty and visual appeal, when lighting a cafe and restaurant, you must also comply with certain requirements and standards to ensure the health and comfort of customers and help save energy.
Below are some important rules and standards for lighting cafes and restaurants:

1. General lighting
The general lighting level in cafes and restaurants should be such that the space is evenly lit and there are no dark spots.
According to international standards, the general lighting in cafes and restaurants should be between 200 and 300 lux.
To achieve this level of lighting, chandeliers, LED panels, or recessed ceiling lights and surface-mounted ceiling lights can be used.

2. Light temperature (light color)
The light temperature (light color) should be selected according to the type of space and its use.
Warm lights (with a color temperature of 2700 to 3000 Kelvin) are suitable for creating a warm, intimate and relaxing atmosphere.
Cool lights (with a color temperature of 3500 to 4000 Kelvin) are suitable for creating a modern, stylish and lively atmosphere.
In cafes and restaurants, a combination of warm and cool lights can be used to create a diverse and attractive atmosphere.
3. Color Rendering Index (CRI)
The Color Rendering Index (CRI) indicates the quality of light and its naturalness.
A high CRI (more than 90) is essential for lighting in places where color accuracy is required, such as kitchens or dining tables.
A low CRI (less than 80) is suitable for lighting in public and decorative spaces.
4. Energy Consumption
Using energy-efficient lamps such as LED and CFL can significantly save energy in a cafe or restaurant.
When choosing a lamp, pay attention to its energy label and choose lamps that have high efficiency.
5. Safety
All lighting equipment must be electrically safe and installed and maintained by professionals.
Avoid using defective lamps or damaged wires.
Use waterproof lights in wet spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms.
6. National regulations
In addition to international standards, there may be specific national regulations for lighting in cafes and restaurants.
Before starting lighting work, familiarize yourself with these regulations and comply with them.
Additional tips for lighting in cafes, coffee shops and restaurants

In addition to the ideas and standards mentioned in the previous sections, there are other tips for lighting in cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants, which we will discuss below:

Use natural sunlight in your cafe or restaurant as much as possible.

Use dimmers or multi-mode switches to control lighting in different spaces.
Use light colors for the walls to reflect light better and make the space appear brighter.
Clean the lights regularly and replace burned-out bulbs.
Summary

Lighting is one of the most important elements in the design of cafe, coffee shop, and restaurant decoration and can have a significant impact on the customer experience. By following the tips and ideas presented in this article, you can create beautiful and functional lighting for your cafe or restaurant.