6 Types of Lighting a Commercial Contractor Might Recommend for a Hotel Lobby in Westchester County, NY
The lobby of a hotel speaks volumes to the quality of the stay that customers are soon to experience. Much like the entry foyer of someone’s home, the space needs to feel safe, welcoming, and beautiful. Whatever decorations are inside the hotel, the key element here is lighting. To avoid some regrettable results, use a combination of lighting strategies to create the best ambience. Here are six types of lighting a commercial contractor might recommend for a hotel lobby in Westchester County, NY.
Draw Attention to the Front Desk
Every guest that walks through those front doors of the hotel just wants to put their bags down and get to their room. A poorly lit front desk makes guests wonder where to go; and worse, once they are checking in, poor lighting can make forms difficult to read and fill out. One of the most important lighting strategies in a hotel lobby is to highlight the front desk. Place task lighting in the form of bright LEDs (light-emitting diode) fixtures around the front desk. Backlight the wall behind the front desk to make the space feel elegant and welcoming.
Showing the Right Way
Arriving guests are often tired and may miss directional cues that seem obvious to someone familiar with the hotel layout. The walkway from the front door to the front desk, then to the elevators needs to be clearly lit (and signed) so that it draws the eyes. Use LEDs near the floor to help focus energy. You could also embed LEDs in columns or other permanent furniture to enhance the lighting. This will make for a pleasing experience and first impression for your guests.
Create a Focal Point
The concept of creating a focal point can create awe in the context of the entire space. Hotel lobbies are perfect places for paintings, sculptures, or other types of artwork. Place these pieces prominently and use ceiling-mounted or floor-mounted spotlights to draw attention to them. Not only will this make people appreciate the artwork itself, but it will give them pause as they scan the surroundings and realize what a beautiful space they’re in.
Search for Dark Spots
Even if the remainder of a hotel lobby is beautifully illuminated, dark corners can be unsettling. Although these spaces may not provide much use for daily hotel operations and it may feel like lighting them is a waste of electricity, many people focus on what’s wrong rather than what’s right, so good illumination is necessary even in rarely used areas. Since the hotel lobby is crucial for first impressions, you don’t want to leave your guests feeling uneasy about a dark hallway. They may even think that the staff is trying to hide the fact they haven’t cleaned thoroughly!
Layer with Multiple Sources
There isn’t one single light source that will solve all the problems in a hotel lobby, or anywhere for that matter. The most successful lighting strategy is to combine several light sources and use professional lighting design to blend them together. The resulting effect will help to create a feeling of grandeur in the lobby, something that will add to the feeling of awe your guests will feel upon arrival or just simply returning after a long day of sightseeing or work.
The Magic of Warm Light
It’s amazing what the tone of the lights themselves can do for a lobby space. Opt for warmer lights where possible. Bright white lights can make a hotel lobby feel clinical, sterile, and unwelcoming. Warmer light temperatures will make your guests feel like they’re at home.