Restaurant lighting is essential for defining spaces and creating inviting atmospheres. It has a direct impact on the design and identity of the space. Moreover, it significantly influences the customer experience, as well-designed lighting encourages guests to feel more comfortable and stay longer, increasing their likelihood of consuming more.
Below, we’ll show you how to make the most of your restaurant’s lighting to turn it into a charming and welcoming place—take note!
Types of lighting in restaurants
When designing a restaurant’s lighting, it’s important to understand that it’s all about a strategic combination of different types of lighting to create the perfect atmosphere.
For instance, general lighting ensures appropriate visibility throughout the entire space at all times. This usually comes from ceiling lamps or evenly distributed downlights. The main goal is to avoid dark areas so that diners always feel comfortable.
Ambient lighting is also key, as it defines the character and essence of the restaurant. Its primary purpose is to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that encourages guests to stay, using pendant lamps, candles, or wall lamps. A great example of effective ambient lighting can be found at Xipé Restaurant in Madrid. We love their use of lighting, especially the Phantom Lamp on the ceiling and the Plaster and raffia arch wall lamp on the wall.
We can’t forget about accent lighting, which is essential for highlighting key elements such as VIP areas, bars, artwork, or architectural features. This type of lighting draws attention to strategic points and adds depth to the space. You can achieve this using adjustable spotlights, LED strips under the bar, or lighting inside display cases.
Lastly, there’s task lighting, which is crucial for work areas like kitchens, hallways, or restrooms. Its purpose is to ensure safety and efficiency without disrupting the restaurant’s overall harmony. Your best allies here are downlights in the kitchen and motion-sensor lights in restrooms. Keep in mind that too much general lighting can kill the mood—so the key is to find the perfect balance among all the different types of lighting.
Lighting temperature and color: when to use each one?
When it comes to lighting, color temperature is a crucial factor to consider. The type of light you choose will shape the atmosphere and directly impact the visibility of the space.
On one hand, warm lighting—characterized by its orange hue, similar to candlelight or a sunset—creates a calming and intimate effect. It’s ideal for fine dining restaurants, bar areas, and tables where you want guests to linger longer. It also complements rustic, vintage, or classic décor styles. The main advantage of warm lighting is that it helps customers feel more at ease and encourages them to spend more time in the restaurant.
On the other hand, cool lighting—with neutral or bluish tones resembling daylight or fluorescent lights—has a more stimulating and practical psychological effect. It’s best suited for kitchens, restrooms, hallways, or fast food restaurants where the goal is to streamline service and reduce customer dwell time. Its strength lies in promoting efficiency and quick turnover.
You might be wondering—can they be combined? The answer is yes. In fact, many restaurants use this approach to blend intimacy (with warm lighting) and functionality (with cool lighting) in the same space.
Types of Lamps You Can Choose for Your Restaurant
Choosing the right lamp involves striking the perfect balance between functionality and aesthetics. Below, we’ll walk you through the main types of lamps and how to make the most of them.
Ceiling Lamps
These define the overall essence and style of the venue and are the main source of general lighting. Popular choices include pendant lamps over tables or bars, flush mounts and downlights for even illumination, and statement lamps (like nest or spherical designs) that add a touch of originality and sophistication to the atmosphere.
At Canica, we’re especially fond of the Palm tree lamp designed by MRGO Arquitectos for its bold personality—perfect for adding a tropical or boho vibe to any space.
Floor and Table Lamps
These are known for adding warmth and coziness, especially in intimate corners. They typically appear as floor lamps next to private tables or in lounge areas, and table lamps with shades in bistros or cafés. For this type of lighting, we recommend using warm bulbs to avoid excess brightness and prevent visual overload.
Wall Lamps
These are usually part of ambient and decorative lighting, particularly in hallways or waiting areas. We love wall lamps with adjustable arms in vintage or industrial styles for restaurants with a distinct decorative theme. Glass lamps are also a great choice thanks to their elegance and sophistication.
We suggest browsing our full selection of indoor and outdoor designer wall lamps to help you create warm and inviting atmospheres.
LED Strips
Perfect for indirect or accent lighting, LED strips are highly versatile and modern. They are often used in bars, shelves, staircases, hallways, or behind mirrors and ceilings to visually expand the space.
Kitchen Lamps
These need to be practical, durable, and equipped with cool lighting to ensure safety and hygiene in the workspace. They typically come in the form of grease-resistant downlights (which are easy to clean) and ceiling-mounted LED tubes that provide uniform, shadow-free illumination.
Common Lighting Mistakes in Restaurants and How to Avoid Them
Good or poor lighting design can directly impact your guests’ experience—so it’s essential to get it right. Here are the most common lighting mistakes in restaurants and how to avoid them.
First, lighting that’s too dim or too bright: neither extreme is ideal. Low lighting can make it difficult to read menus and may cause discomfort, while overly bright lighting can feel cold and uninviting. The key is to layer different types of lighting—ambient, general, task, and accent—to create a balanced and pleasant atmosphere throughout the space.
Another common mistake is casting unwanted shadows over tables or key areas, which can ruin both the presentation of dishes and the overall branding of the restaurant. To avoid this, we recommend installing pendant lamps at the right height—between 60 and 80 cm above the table—and complementing them with side lighting from wall sconces or floor lamps.
Finally, as mentioned earlier, the proper use of warm and cool lighting is essential. It’s important to know which type suits each area best: warm lighting for the dining space to create a cozy and inviting feel, and cool lighting for the kitchen and bathrooms to ensure cleanliness and visibility.
In conclusion, restaurant lighting is a strategic element that goes far beyond decoration. If you’re designing a restaurant, smart lighting planning can significantly enhance the customer experience. Not only is it important to light each zone appropriately, but you should also tailor the lighting to reflect your restaurant’s personality. With these tips, you’ll create the perfect ambiance that keeps guests coming back for more!