Not Just Aesthetics, The Secret Behind Remang Lighting In Restaurants

Restaurants with dimly lit lights/ILUSTRASI Freepik/Freepik

JAKARTA - Have you ever gone to dinner and realized the lights in the restaurant were so dim or dim? Not just to give a romantic impression, it turns out that there are special reasons why many restaurants choose a rather dim lighting.

interior designers who are experienced in restaurant spatial planning share their secrets. It turns out that the atmosphere that feels warm is not just a style, but a strategy that is well planned.

The following explains why restaurants often set lighting to be dim, as reported by the Reader's Digest page, Saturday, November 1, 2025.

1. Create A Comfortable And Calming Atmosphere

Restaurants are not only places to eat, but also places where people rest from their routines. The dim lighting gives a sense of relaxation and relaxation.

According to interior designer Sarah Kuchar-Parkinson, the warm light (around 2700K) gives a comfortable and familiar feeling, in contrast to the restaurant kitchen which usually uses 5000K of bright white light.

Traditionally, our bodies respond to dim light as a sign of rest, just like our ancestors who ended the day with the flames of fire.

2. Make Visitors Want To Return

As the saying goes, "People may forget what is said, but don't forget how they feel". If the restaurant atmosphere creates a sense of comfort, warmth and fun, we will tend to want to come back again. Lighting plays a big role in creating this experience.

3. Make Visitors At Home

Soft light makes the atmosphere feel relaxed, so visitors tend not to rush. They are more likely to order additional drinks or washouts.

2017 research in the Journal of Marketing Research shows people prefer sweeter foods when they are in dim light.

To achieve soft nuances such as waxy light, designers use several layers of lighting such as wall lights, hanging lights, table lights, to light directed at the walls. The goal is to create depth and light highlights that make the room feel warm and alive.

Too Redup Is Also Not Good

We all have difficulty reading the menu because the room is too dark. Apart from being uncomfortable, research from the Netherlands shows that food tastes less delicious when it is served in lighting that is too dark. Even so, some restaurants still choose a super dark atmosphere because it is considered more trendy and popular with young people.