Getting the lighting levels exactly right in hotels is a complex business with contrasting needs for different areas. With that said it can make all the difference to the look and feel a hotel is able to give off to its guests and how comfortable it is able to present itself too. Finding the right elements in decorative lighting for hotels is not that easy; you need to simply find the right lighting, lux levels and fittings to go in the space you are working in and with.
Why lighting is so important to a hotel
Lighting often is instrumental in creating the atmosphere hoteliers and guests so adore. As hotel guests we marvel at our surroundings and wonder why we didn’t do something like this in our own lounge, why we didn’t create such a wow in our entrance halls. But we all don’t have such grand budgets. We reach our bedrooms and this is the make or break for many and this is where it as much begins and ends. Lighting as noted though is a very key overall fundamental.
Getting the right and correct hotel lighting levels
The perfect balance between design and functionality ensures that guests have an enjoyable stay and feel positive about the hotel while staff can work efficiently and professionally The CIBSE Code for Lighting is the comprehensive bible for all aspects of illumination – below is a brief guide on lighting levels. The code is a reference for lighting designers and planners, complementing aesthetic skills and knowledge. This is the key for a hotel of any other leisure based building.
Getting it right in a boutique hotel bedroom environment
Gorgeous colours, luxury materials and an en-suite bathroom you could happily spend an afternoon in are just some of the fabulous ingredients in a boutique hotel bedroom, but pulling all these elements together is the lighting.
Lighting is integral to the atmosphere of a space, but also to its functionality, and this is particularly apparent in a busy bedroom. Here, you want to sleep and read, but also dress, relax or work, so a carefully planned mix of lighting is crucial. Most hotel bedrooms will have lights wired on different circuits, so you can switch them off a section at a time. This can be reproduced at home, but as rewiring a room is a big job. As a process, it’s often more practical to augment existing lighting with the clever use of lamps and dimmer switches.
Hang a statement light for immediate impact
For a bold boutique hotel look, add some statement lighting to your bedroom. This will draw the eye and contribute to the glamorous feel of the space, while recessed or concealed lighting can help to boost general light levels. You might even like to hang statement pendant lights by the bed. This is not as practical as fitting wall-mounted lights designed to aid reading, but it will create drama and ensure bedside cabinets remain uncluttered.
Give your lighting easy to use and well located light switches
Install dedicated reading lights and, if possible, include switches by the bed that also control the central lighting system, so you don’t have to hop out of bed just before falling asleep to put out all the lights. Bedside lights should always be separate from the main circuit and it’s sometimes useful to be able to control your partner’s light from your side of the bed, too, if they’re prone to nodding off with the light on. Any good electrician will agree with this idea too.
Dimmable / Controllable Lights
Not everyone needs or wants the same amount of light, and as the lights changes through the day, you might want to change it to save energy. For example, if it’s a nice day outside, you are unlikely to need the foyer lights on full brightness. Having dimmable lights that can either change automatically or which can be manually changed could solve this problem. Make sure to check that your lights are dimmable before purchase however, as not all are.
Getting the lighting right first off – in the lobby
A good lobby should draw people in and make them feel at home, and this feeling could make the difference between people choosing to stay at your hotel or go somewhere else. For that reason you should choose soft, warm lighting that is more yellow than white or blue in colour. 2700-3000K is the recommended light level for hospitality spaces, and this is similar to regular incandescent light bulbs, so it should make your guests feel right at home. For bonus welcome points, try lighting seating areas with table lamps so guests can read in comfort.
Make sure the lighting is also practical too. In a space as frequently used as a hotel lobby, it’s important that you don’t sacrifice practicality for style. Above all your guests should be able to move around easily with their luggage, and find where they need to go so this is a space where good wall lighting can and will make a vast difference. Any good hotel will have sussed this idea out. Their light fixtures and fittings will very much be on point and in the right places.
Hotel exterior lighting
Hotel path lighting includes areas like walkways, stairs, railing, and posts. Landscaping can be elaborate and attractive to the eye or it can be simple. Each property is unique and every hotel is different but we all have the same goal. Get customers in the door and when they leave, you want them looking forward to another visit. If your guests are tripping on their way into your hotel because the lighting is wrong or they don’t feel safe because it is too dark then it is going to be much harder to see that smile.
Overall
When choosing lighting, always keep in mind the comfort of your customers. A hotel restaurant or bar may be innovative, but when your customers can’t read the menu or can’t see the food, your concept is useless. It’s best to avoid reflections by placing the lighting outside the natural field of view of your guests. Reflective objects such as mirrors or smooth surfaces should be placed with extra care, make sure your customers do not experience any inconveniences. You need to think what kind of a hotel you are and what you want to portray and from this choosing the right hotel lighting should only get all the more easy.
