Ambient lighting provides overall illumination to permit comfortable movement and functioning in the dining space. Ambient lighting also establishes the overall atmosphere or character of a restaurant interior. A wide selection of energy efficient LED luminaires and architectural lighting systems are available on the market to provide the lighting required for restaurant ambient illumination. A combination of direct and indirect lighting is in most cases the best choice for the dining environment. Direct lighting has a better optical efficiency than indirect lighting because the light is directly emitted by light sources whereas indirect lighting relies on the tactic of bouncing light off of ceiling surfaces. Well-shielded downlighting (e.g., recessed LED downlights with precise flood or spot beams, industrial style LED pendant lights) can create a pleasing sparkle on reflective objects such as dinnerware and provide needed light intensity for highlighting the tabletop and reading menus. Direct lighting, however, should be applied in a controlled manner otherwise it is more prone to produce glare and harsh shadows.
Ambient light may be integrated into the architecture with indirect lighting to distribute diffused light by directing the light first to wall and ceiling surfaces. The flattering effects of indirect lighting gives the dining space a quiet ambiance by delivering a uniform distribution of light with reduced shadowing and glare. Open fixtures such as decorative and lantern-style pendants, chandeliers and wall lights usually uses some sort of visible bulbs as light sources, notably LED filament bulbs which combine classic style with energy efficient LED technology, to create beautiful sparkling light that can enhance the look and feel of a dining space. Architectural cove lighting, which is one of the most widely used indirect lighting techniques, providing a complementary glow that helps overcome the negative aspects of direct downlighting by using linear LED modules or flexible LED light strips in an upwardly open channel structure built along a sidewall of a recess in the ceiling. These concealed light sources provide the ambient light level for leisurely dining, filling the nooks and crannies with soft, diffuse illumination. Some indirect lighting fixtures can also help achieve different light levels and, as is often the case with wall sconces, evokes a cozy residential elegance by casting soft patterns of light on the walls that integrate with the interior design.
In any scenario, direct and indirect lighting must work collectively to generate a lighting mix that complements the overall theme of a restaurant.