Outdoor Restaurant Lighting & Commercial Landscape Lighting from Illuminations Lighting Design
Many upscale restaurants offer diners an outdoor area in which to relax and enjoy a meal. In order to strike the right balance between functional lighting and ambient lighting, the lighting consultant must have a keen eye for design, landscaping, and exterior architecture. Everything from the height of the ceiling, the material build and proximity of adjacent walls, and decorations influence the type of fixtures and levels of light for outdoor areas of the restaurant.
Because these fixtures are continually exposed to the elements, it is strongly recommended that restaurant’s never use retail grade materials in their outdoor garden lighting designs. Commercial grade materials are designed to bear the brunt of the elements and are only available through licensed, professional installers. Hiring a lighting design firm like ILD may cost a little more than a do-it-yourself job, but it pays for itself in two years or less when you consider the benefits of minimized replacement costs.
A variety of fixture types can be used to light the outside of a restaurant.
Outdoor lighting systems frequently use wall sconces, patio lights, rope lights, step lights, and path lights around the perimeter of the restaurant. These lighting fixtures save money in many cases because almost all of them are available as low voltage devices. Some use LED lamps that make them even more energy conscious and almost impossible to break.
Decorative lights such as these can create a perimeter of artistic lighting that separates dining space from the surrounding landscape. Keeping illumination to a low, ambient level eliminates glare that can interfere with a clear view of an urban landscape or scenic resort locale.
Lighting creates mood and romance around table areas.
For romantic dining at small, two-person tables, LED tea lights are becoming very popular restaurant lighting fixtures. They resemble ornate candles and can be adjusted to different lighting levels. They are perfect for romantic moments.
For larger tables made for groups, pendant lights and chandeliers can hang suspended from the patio ceiling to provide down light over the table. These lights tend to create a “wash” of light that descends gently to the table, giving everyone plenty of light to see. Some restaurants will then position LED decorations on the tables for added color. Lighted ice buckets can grab the attention of potential guests as wine is served or to announce a birthday or anniversary. Low voltage recessed lights may also be used in certain instances for feature lighting of sculptures or fountains.
In some cases, where tables remain static, well-placed pin spots can illuminate tables with attractive dots of light. This does not work in a fluid setting, but it is well worth discussing with a lighting consultant if your patio features a static table layout.
Vegetation around a restaurant is actually a key part of its outdoor lighting design.
It is absolutely necessary to pay close attention to surrounding vegetation. A great many patios are built on, or even around, large trees. Well-placed tree lights and path lights configured with lighting controls can be used to set many moods and create different layers of light for outdoor restaurant areas in conjunction to a variety of events and special occasions. This requires working with a vendor like ILD that has experience in environmentally friendly tree lighting, garden lighting, landscape lighting in Houston.
Multi-Specialization Is the Key for Outdoor Restaurant Lighting
Working with an organization like ILD can ensure that outdoor restaurant lights are not only manufactured and installed with the highest level of commercial grade quality, but also configured in a way that truly compliments every unique element of the dining area.
Click here to read about Illuminations Lighting Design and our five specialized disciplines and how each of these brings something unique to the table in the world of high-end and five star restaurant lighting. We invite you to call toll free 800-863-1184 or visit our lighting blog to see how lighting can set the mood.
Because these fixtures are continually exposed to the elements, it is strongly recommended that restaurant’s never use retail grade materials in their outdoor garden lighting designs. Commercial grade materials are designed to bear the brunt of the elements and are only available through licensed, professional installers. Hiring a lighting design firm like ILD may cost a little more than a do-it-yourself job, but it pays for itself in two years or less when you consider the benefits of minimized replacement costs.
A variety of fixture types can be used to light the outside of a restaurant.
Outdoor lighting systems frequently use wall sconces, patio lights, rope lights, step lights, and path lights around the perimeter of the restaurant. These lighting fixtures save money in many cases because almost all of them are available as low voltage devices. Some use LED lamps that make them even more energy conscious and almost impossible to break.
Decorative lights such as these can create a perimeter of artistic lighting that separates dining space from the surrounding landscape. Keeping illumination to a low, ambient level eliminates glare that can interfere with a clear view of an urban landscape or scenic resort locale.
Lighting creates mood and romance around table areas.
For romantic dining at small, two-person tables, LED tea lights are becoming very popular restaurant lighting fixtures. They resemble ornate candles and can be adjusted to different lighting levels. They are perfect for romantic moments.
For larger tables made for groups, pendant lights and chandeliers can hang suspended from the patio ceiling to provide down light over the table. These lights tend to create a “wash” of light that descends gently to the table, giving everyone plenty of light to see. Some restaurants will then position LED decorations on the tables for added color. Lighted ice buckets can grab the attention of potential guests as wine is served or to announce a birthday or anniversary. Low voltage recessed lights may also be used in certain instances for feature lighting of sculptures or fountains.
In some cases, where tables remain static, well-placed pin spots can illuminate tables with attractive dots of light. This does not work in a fluid setting, but it is well worth discussing with a lighting consultant if your patio features a static table layout.
Vegetation around a restaurant is actually a key part of its outdoor lighting design.
It is absolutely necessary to pay close attention to surrounding vegetation. A great many patios are built on, or even around, large trees. Well-placed tree lights and path lights configured with lighting controls can be used to set many moods and create different layers of light for outdoor restaurant areas in conjunction to a variety of events and special occasions. This requires working with a vendor like ILD that has experience in environmentally friendly tree lighting, garden lighting, landscape lighting in Houston.
Multi-Specialization Is the Key for Outdoor Restaurant Lighting
Working with an organization like ILD can ensure that outdoor restaurant lights are not only manufactured and installed with the highest level of commercial grade quality, but also configured in a way that truly compliments every unique element of the dining area.
Click here to read about Illuminations Lighting Design and our five specialized disciplines and how each of these brings something unique to the table in the world of high-end and five star restaurant lighting. We invite you to call toll free 800-863-1184 or visit our lighting blog to see how lighting can set the mood.
Labels: Commercial Landscape Lighting, Outdoor Architectural Lighting, Outdoor Restaurant Lighting
posted by xinger at
5:04 PM
