HOSPITALITY [DINING] EDITION.
Understanding the psychology of light can help us create environments that influence our mood and behavior. The interplay of light and shadow can evoke emotions. Specifically with hospitality venues, lighting plays a crucial role in shaping the ambiance and overall guest experiences. Whether it’s a luxurious hotel lobby, a cozy restaurant, or a lively bar, the right lighting can significantly influence how guests feel, behave and spend.
Creating First Impressions
The moment a guest steps into a venue, the lighting sets the tone. We dont design a speak easy the same way we design a sports bar, pub or restaurant. Understanding the little nuances in the lighting of these venues is key, as is understanding the customers and what kind of experience they’re expecting to experience. Ultimately, we’re trying to create a space that they can use as an escape from the real world, losing one, two, or three hours in. A space that is warm, comfortable, exciting.
Enhancing Dining Experiences
In restaurants, lighting can make or break the dining experience. Soft, warm lighting creates an intimate and cozy atmosphere, encouraging guests to relax and enjoy their meal. It can also enhance the appearance of food and drinks, making them look more appealing. If the food is the main focus (think food as an art work vibes), then we can pinspot the table using a fitting with a specific chip that enhances food.
Influencing Social Interactions
All hospitality dining venues benefit from dynamic lighting schemes that change throughout the evening. Dim, ambient lighting encourages social interaction and intimacy, making people feel more comfortable and open. If you’re comfortable, you’re open, if you’re open, you connect and if you connect, you’ll want to hang out a little longer.
Encouraging Longer Stays and Repeat Visits
The goal here is to get clients to stay in the space longer, spend a little more money, all because they’re so comfortable and content that the other option-leaving-is not an option… for a while. Guests are more likely to stay a little longer, return for future visits, and recommend the venue to others if they feel comfortable and positively influenced by the ambiance.
