Lighting plays a major role in a commercial setting.
It’s something that shouldn’t be left till the end of the project to decide upon.
The challenge is to understand how to use it to the best advantage.
Here’s 10 useful things to know:
- Lighting is known to affect mood and behaviour.
It’s a well-known fact from nature, that on sunny days, people are more optimistic than on darker days.
The right lighting can help boost sales and improve the overall customer experience. - A commercial setting has to be sufficiently illuminated for safety and therefore needs to meet certain levels of light.
Exit signs need to be properly positioned according to building standards to meet approvals. - When lighting a commercial setting, consider all of the following: (a) its function (b) the ambience you want to create (c) light or lux levels set down by the building code of Australia.
- Bright, uniform lighting is well suited to high traffic environments such as supermarkets.
In retail spaces like grab n go food outlets, fast food cafes, supermarkets and mini marts, use lighting to direct customers where you want them to go.
For example, take them directly to the counter to order, or past merchandise displays. Research has demonstrated that people tend to follow the brightest paths. - In retail spaces like fashion boutiques, hair salons, lifestyle or specialty stores, cafes or restaurants, use these four basic illumination types as a basis for lighting:
accent lighting, ambient lighting, shelf lighting and feature lighting.
In other words, use multiple levels of lighting, from general and ambient lighting to specific display lighting for the most effective results.
- Bar lighting should be quite warm, soft and comfortable to make clients linger and enjoy the ambience.
Accent lighting is a must to highlight the products on display and/or interior features of the bar fitout. - Use a strategic and careful combination of lighting and mirrors to enhance a product for merchandise display.
- For display lighting of small products in a showcase, for instance, jewellery items, lighting needs to be positioned so as not to cast a shadow over the merchandise.
Customers will be leaning over the display cases to view those items.
A good tip is to position lights at both the top and back of the display case for maximum effect. - It’s important to know your customers’ behaviour when considering lighting.
For instance, in certain retail spaces where they are likely to browse, use a lower light level to slow down the shopping pace and help them feel comfortable. - Knowing the demographic of your customer base is important.
In general, using color and accent lighting in retail spaces will add appeal for all shoppers, but specifically, for younger shoppers, having those accent lights bright, dazzling or colored will offer extra appeal.
In addition, dramatic and theatrical uplighting can be a great success.
Catch our next blog on 10 more useful things to know about lighting a commercial setting or contact us at shop fitters gold coast for more information.
