Tips for Selecting Hotel Lighting

Don’t let poor lighting cast a shadow over your ratings! Research conducted by Osram in 2014 found that guests regularly criticized lighting quality when giving hotel feedback. For example， hotels in London were subjected to nearly 10,000 reviews specifically on lighting, with many travelers complaining about dim, bad and sparse lighting in their rooms.

In order to help you get shining reviews, hotel lighting expert Heinrich Böhm, Senior Designer and Associate at JOI-Design, shares some tips!

1. Ask a light planner

According to Mr. Böhm, when hotel lighting is done well you don’t necessarily notice it, “but when it isn’t, you most certainly do!” He explains that lighting layout and design is often left to electrical engineers, meaning style isn’t always at the forefront of plans. Having a light planner define the appearance of hotel lamp – especially in public areas – is essential to avoid negative first impressions.

2. Adapt lighting to changing hotel layouts

“Hotel foyers are changing,” explains Böhm. And with that so too is foyer lighting. The traditional format of a separate foyer, restaurant, bar and check-in area is increasingly being replaced by free-flowing spaces where different functions take place in one room. Therefore, lighting needs to be adjustable in order to fit the changing primary use of the space throughout the day. In the morning for example, cool lighting might be used during breakfast, whilst in the evening warmer lighting can create a cozier atmosphere. Other areas such as the bar might need to be zoned out using lighting contrasts when not in use.

3. Maintain your concept

There’s a fine line between standing out and looking out of place. Statement lamps can create a great focal point for guests; however, it is important that they fit the overall design concept of a hotel. This applies to hotel rooms and public areas alike. As well as being a design feature in themselves, hotel lamps should also be used to highlight architectural or decorative aspects that give hotel its individual flair or define its concept.

4. Make sure all areas have good lighting

There should be light in the tunnel, not just at the end of it! As Böhm explains: “corridors are often overlooked when it comes to lighting design.” As they form an important part of the journey from the foyer to rooms, they should link the different area of the hotel in a way that reflects the atmosphere experienced elsewhere. Whilst sufficient lighting is required to aid orientation, there shouldn’t be great differences in the temperature of lighting as you pass through different spaces.

5. Keep room lighting flexible

One room, a multitude of purposes. Hotel room lighting needs to be bright enough to work, but also cozy enough to relax. Therefore, it is important that guests have sufficient fittings. According to Böhm, one of the most important fittings is a reading lamp. His other must-have is “A master switch to turn off all the lamps in one go.”

These are the 5 items to pay attention to when selecting hotel lights. If you are worried about which hotel lamp is the best to choose, you can browse our related products for reference.