The vintage industrial style is taking over pubs, bars and restaurants but it’s difficult to know exactly how to apply the trend to your interior. Here you’ll find advice on how to choose the right factory inspired lighting for your business.
Function
It is important that you use different lighting fixtures for different purposes, for example, brighter lighting is needed over the bar, where servers will be tasking, whereas seating areas for customers will require lower light levels to create a comfortable atmosphere. Pendants work well over counters as they provide a practical level of brightness while adding style and interest. For dining areas, wall lights are a good option as they offer focused light so that customers can read menus, without overwhelming the intimate space. Be sure to illuminate all walls evenly and keep the lighting uniform; a restaurant with consistent levels of light is much more inviting than one with dark corners and blinding bright spots.
MK1 Factory Wall Lights over seating areas in Wildwood, Bournemouth – View product in our store
Mood
Lighting is possibly the most important factor in creating the mood of your bar or restaurant. Daytime eateries should be bright and welcoming; our Prismatic Pendant Lights are great for providing the global light suitable for these casual restaurants. Wall lights are much more appropriate in quieter establishments, where customers go to unwind. Placed around the seating area, our factory wall lights can create an ambience to encourage conversation and relaxation. Alternatively, smaller pendants with a long drop can achieve the desired atmosphere when used with a warm bulb and dimmer system.
Dark Grey Coolicons hang from high ceilings in The Prince Street Social, Bristol – View product in our store
Space
High ceilings are perfect for pendant lights, as long as you get the drop length right; if a fitting is too high, the light will be lost and dining areas will not be bright enough for customers. Although pendant lights may provide the desired industrial aesthetic, they may not work in smaller venues with low ceilings. Our wall lights are a great way to incorporate the trend in limited spaces. Paired with light coloured walls and furnishings, our Dark Grey Factory Wall Lights add unique style to a modest place.
Copper Coolicon Pendant Lights combine industrial style with classic pub decor at Sketchley Grange Hotel – View product in our store
Style
Above anything else, the appeal of industrial lighting is aesthetics. Factory inspired lighting is so diverse it can complement any style of interior, from classic pubs to contemporary decor. Metallic shades, such as our Copper Coolicon Pendants, are a great addition to an industrial style restaurant or modern, minimalistic establishment. Trendy bars with muted colour schemes can often feel uninspired but with the addition of a factory style pendant or wall light in a contemporary colour, you can add character to the space, making lighting a point of interest rather than just a functional feature.
