Hotel Lighting Design

If you’ve ever stayed in a hotel with bad lighting, you know just how important lighting can be. Harsh, fluorescent glows make an immediate negative first impression. Lights can make a hotel look more like a hospital than a place you want to relax and unwind for the weekend. The right hotel lighting helps create a space that is warm, inviting and attractive. Soft, well-placed lights establish a welcoming atmosphere your guests will feel at home in. Achieving the right balance makes all the difference. Our experts weigh in on the eight best tips for creating the ideal hotel lighting.

1.     Get Practical

Hotel lighting should be functional. If you’ve ever wandered through a dimly lit hallway or tried to read a menu in a dark restaurant, you know firsthand: good lighting serves a purpose. Lights guide the way so your guests know where they are going. Hotel wall lighting illuminates hallways and rooms, helping your guests avoid trips and falls. A dimly lit space can feel dingy, dirty and even disconcerting. But overly bright lights can feel cold and stark. The best hotel lighting fixtures make guests feel like they are at home. Find the right balance of comfort and function.

2.     Focus on Focal Points

Use lighting to create focal points and draw the eye to areas of interest. Bright lighting above the front desk area will provide clear direction and purpose as visitors enter the lobby. Hotel lighting fixtures should be bright enough for guests to be able to fill out papers at the desk without straining their eyes. In hallways, extra illumination above doorways makes it easier for guests to see their room number. While areas like the front desk and doorways require extra lighting by necessity, creating a focal point of light can also add an artistic centerpiece to a space. A shimmering chandelier sets the tone of elegance. A row of modern hotel lighting fixtures or colored light panels make a fresh design statement. The right focal point can make a lasting impression.

3.     Set the Mood

When picking lights, consider how they will make your guests feel. The best hotel lighting makes people feel welcome and relaxed. Guests come to hotels to get away and escape from the stresses of life. Lighting sets the mood. Hotel lighting fixtures should have a variety of washes. Consider the temperature of the lighting as well. Cool, blue lighting can be jarring while warmer tones are gentler and calming. While you want your hotel lighting fixtures to be elegant and refined, you still want your guests to feel warm and homey.

4.     Be Tasteful

Lighting makes an impression and you want it to be a good one. Imagine a hotel lobby strung with Christmas lights or buzzing, naked bulbs. It doesn’t exactly inspire you to spend the night. Now picture a lobby with stunning, elegant lighting. Hotel lighting fixtures give guests a taste of what they can expect while staying there. The lobby is the first place guests see so it should be impressive, memorable and welcoming. With tasteful, elegant lighting, you impress guests and set the tone for the rest of their stay.

5.     Don’t Forget Flexibility

Lighting needs to be adaptable for different uses, depending on the space. Many modern hotels have open floor plans and multi-use spaces requiring adaptable lighting that serves different purposes. Think of the many different areas and their unique needs. The right lighting works together for each piece of the puzzle but also as a whole. From morning to night, from season to season, your hotel lighting needs to have flexibility in order to stay fresh. Consider fixtures able to change dimness or temperature. In guest rooms, lighting should be bright enough to work but also cozy enough for relaxing. Thinking of the many ways lights will be used in each room or space is essential.

6.     Think Outside the Box

Lighting doesn’t have to be practical, stale or boring. There’s no one size fits all for hotel wall lighting or lighting fixtures. Lights can be artistic, surprising and unexpected. From hanging bulbs in mason jars to giant abstract chandeliers, there are so many different looks and styles. Lighting fixtures are part of your décor and they contribute to the overall aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to break the mold and do something unique. Even traditional lights can be arranged in different ways to create a fresh feel.

7.     Plan for Energy Efficiency

Hotel lighting should be as energy efficient as possible. Because your lights get constant, year-round use, investing in energy efficient lighting is worth it. Most LED bulbs last around 50,000 hours so you’ll save money in the long run. You’ll also save time because you won’t be changing burnt out bulbs so often. LED lights come in a variety of colors and temperatures so it’s easy to get the look you want. Plus LED lamps are the most popular choice of hotel lighting fixture. They look — and function flawlessly.

8.     Consult our Experts on Hotel Lighting Fixtures

We saved the best for last. Consult an expert. A light planner has the expertise to help you create the perfect look. Professionals understand how to work with the space and the natural lighting available to create a seamless flow. When your hotel lighting is done right, it’s so good no one will notice. But when it’s bad, it sticks out like a sore thumb. Hiring an expert to help you plan layout and design is the best way to get it right the first time saving money, time and energy.

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