The right lighting under your patio cover is essential. Especially for the hospitality industry, states Stephen Raithel, International Sales Manager at Totallux. "At night, a terrace simply has to be well lit. For the atmosphere and so that guests can see what they are eating or drinking, of course."
Raithel sees it often: the very nicest patio covers with low-quality lighting. "That looks less attractive. Hospitality entrepreneurs often forget, but lighting is the most important thing. Don't let it be the closing item on your budget and invest in good quality lighting. You're guaranteed to benefit from that."
When you're sitting on a terrace at night, of course you want to be able to read what's on the menu. "And all the tables should also be lit the same. That's why a spotlight or LED strip must also be aimed at all the tables. That means the light has to overlap a bit. You don't want to place your spotlights three meters apart, but closer together. So that 'table 12' for example is not sitting in the dark."
Perhaps more importantly, good lighting creates atmosphere. "And you want that on your terrace, of course. Because restaurants and cafes with good lighting under their canopy are always a lot busier. That's where the atmosphere is at its best. And let people be very sensitive to that."
Raithel: "For example, light should be easily dimmable. A fluorescent tube or LED strip with cold light does not look attractive. With warm light you do create a cozy atmosphere. Think of red light, for example, which is very warm and cozy. Then it can still be so cold outside, but the terrace looks cozy. That's how you attract people."
In the Netherlands, most hospitality entrepreneurs choose warm white light for under their canopy. Raithel: "Did you know that the standard light color varies from country to country? Here, for example, we often choose light with a color temperature of 2800 Kelvin. But in Germany it's already brighter: 3,500 Kelvin. And in Greece, 5,000 or 6,000 Kelvin is even the standard. There they are more used to bright light, because the sun shines so much there."
Currently, Raithel sees many hospitality businesses opting for canopies that must be able to open and close. "You are allowed less and less fixed canopies, especially in the city center. That's why you see a lot of big umbrellas, for example. But so you have to put good lighting in those as well." Raithel concludes, "Whether you have a large fixed canopy or just a flexible one: always make sure you have the right light and choose quality. Because you can't have a terrace without experience and atmosphere."