The ambiance is critical in any dining venue. Just as you spend time crafting the perfect food and drink menu, selecting the décor and choosing the music for your café, you also need to set the mood with the right lighting. Each café has a different desired ambiance, and this ambiance may even change depending on the time of day. There are various ways to control the intensity, type and even color of light in your café to achieve the desired results.

Choose the Right Window Coverings

You may think that window coverings are only important in the daytime, but they can also play a role in ambiance in the evening. During the day, shades from somewhere like Sylvan's & Phillip's should ideally allow enough ample sunlight to filter in the space for mood and functionality without making the space too warm from solar heating or too uncomfortable because of the glare. At night, window coverings may be closed or slanted so that passersby are not constantly gawking at your customers. Consider the overall style and location of your venue to determine if privacy is important for your café.

Add Overhead Lighting for Functionality

If your café takes on a relaxed or even romantic ambiance in the evening, you may be inclined to turn the lights down low. Having darker areas of your café is a wonderful way to create the desired mood, but remember that your patrons need to be able to read the menu. They also may prefer to see what they are eating. Overhead lights above the tables are a thoughtful touch.

Think about Colored Lighting

The intensity of light impacts the mood and ambiance, and the color of the light also has a similar effect. For example, blue lighting can give a café a chic or modern look. Red can give it a hot or romantic look. Remember that the intensity of the light must still be controlled when using colored lighting for functionality and ambiance.

Use Alternative Light Sources

Light fixtures are not the only sources of light that you can choose from. Another common lighting source is candlelight. Candles are great as a table topper if you choose to have a darker environment at night. Gas-powered sconces can also line the walls in your café. While light in a fish tank comes from a fixture, it is a unique light source that can give your café a different feel.

Whether you are decorating a new café or you are remodeling your existing space, lighting is a critical factor that you cannot overlook. A smart idea is to visit a few other restaurants or café venues to see how they use different lighting options in the day and evening.