LIGHTING TIPS FOR HOTEL ROOMS

This article on lighting for hotel bedrooms and bathrooms was written by Richard Staines, a technical consultant for Eurolux, which imports and distributes a wide range of lamps and light fittings.

Using light to create shadows and contrasts is important when lighting a room. It creates interest and helps you focus on the important aspects within a room. The basics for lighting design hold true no matter what or where you are lighting. However there are several key factors that distinguish hotel bedroom and bathroom lighting, from normal residential lighting.

Bedroom lighting in a hotel serves a dual purpose - it needs to enhance the room and make it feel warm and inviting, but it also needs to be functional, allowing guests to read comfortably, get dressed, etc. This can be achieved easily, but is dependent on the type of lights you use, their intensity, as well as the height and position of your fittings. Ideally each fitting should be independently switched, and these switches must be easily visible so as not to irritate your guests.

Let's look at some of the things that need to be considered when lighting a hotel bedroom:

  • It is a good idea to attach bedside lamps to the wall, or secure them to the table. This way you run less risk of guests damaging the lampshade and possibly starting a fire.

  • Take care to select robust light fittings - remember that people tend to mistreat what is
not their own. If you choose an adjustable fitting with tilting arms, pick a good quality one that will not break when the children of guests try to swing from it!

  • Remember that socks are often hung over lampshades to dry, so choose your fabric carefully. A patterned fabric will be better than white or cream as watermarks will not show so obviously.

  • Bedside lights often have to be positioned in such a way that either two single beds or one double bed can be used. Fix the lights to the wall so that they would sit in the middle of the single beds. This way, when you push the beds together, they will be on either side of the double bed.

  • Guests tend to leave lights on when they leave the room; so it is advisable to use energy-saving lamps, which are more cost effective than incandescent globes.

  • Guests often steal the globes, particularly the more expensive energy-savers. One option is to use unusual lamps such as a long PL lamp, however the fittings are more costly.

WALL, TABLE AND FLOOR LIGHTS

Table and floor lamps concentrate light into a small area and enhance the décor of the room by creating a bridge between the furnishings and the lighting. Lampshades also diffuse light and soften its impact thus adding to the overall ambience of the room. As with bedside lamps, remember to secure all fittings to prevent theft.

Usually there is a wall, table or floor lamp positioned near the table, which is multi-functional, serving as vanity table, writing desk, and a café with tea and coffee-making facilities. Lighting a dressing table mirror is very different from lighting a writing desk, but in the hotel room, we need to cater for an even distribution of light, as well as directional light. Some upmarket hotels have separate tables for each of these, in which case separate types of lights can be used.

Since the dressing table will likely be used for applying make-up, it is important to have an even diffused light to reduce the shadows and the glare of the light. Consider mounting two wall fittings on either side of the mirror at eye height to give an even distribution of light. A glass shade will diffuse the light and reduce any harshness.

In addition, recess a downlighter into the ceiling and angle it toward the table for an even spread of light across the area.

CENTRAL LIGHTS

The main purpose of a central light is to allow guests to see within the room and to help them get dressed, so it needs to be bright. It's best to choose a central ceiling fitting that matches the wall or vanity table lights. But first choose the wall lights most suitable for placement on either side of the dressing table, then add the matching ceiling fitting.

Remember to use energy-savers, which will reduce your lighting bill significantly as guests frequently leave on the central light, if they are planning to return when it is dark. If heavy curtains are used in the room, people are more likely to leave on lights during the day.

BATHROOM LIGHTING

Many hotel bathrooms have lights above the basin/dresser area, but no light above the bath or shower. Consider installing a sealed waterproof downlighter above the shower. Sealed downlighters are necessary because of the steam and splashing water, which can create a short circuit or possibly cause a fire.

If the bathroom has cupboards under the basin, consider using under-counter lights to illuminate an area that can be very dark.

MIRROR LIGHTING

It is important for the bathroom mirror to be well illuminated so guests can shave properly or apply make-up evenly. Correct lighting will ensure that a guest's face looks "even", and is free from shadows and bags. Instead of shining light onto the mirror (as for a painting) and straight back at the person, the light must shine towards the face. This will illuminate the image the mirror is reflecting instead of reflecting the light (or glare) of the fitting. The ideal is to light from either side, using wall lights.

If lights are used above the mirror, guests will have to tilt their faces up to remove the shadows under their eyes and nose.

Another option is to use waterproof tilting downlighters on either side of the mirror, but installing them requires precision. It is best to position them as close to the wall as possible, and to use two downlighters to light from either side.

Be sure that mirrors are fixed at an appropriate height.

MORE INFO: Richard Staines can be reached at 011 608 2970. E-mail: richard.staines@eurolux.co.za