Lighting at the bar counter is essential, but how do you choose the right lamps? Read this article and discover our advice!
When it comes to illuminating a room, the choice of lighting, like that of furnishings and accessories, is decisive in defining a certain mood and atmosphere.
All these elements, in perfect harmony, will also influence the type of customers that the venue attracts. Therefore, errors that would jeopardize the overall concept and success of the entire project are not allowed.
In fact, choosing the right bar lamps will be fundamental for making an immediate style statement, without forgetting the visual comfort that this area of the bar requires.
Finding lighting solutions capable of combining aesthetics and efficiency at the same time may seem difficult, but it is not impossible.
The aim of this article is precisely to provide architects and interior designers with advice and suggestions on how to illuminate a bar counter and how to choose the right decorative lamps.
In particular, we will take a look at:
- How to design the right bar counter lighting
- Restaurant lighting: lamps to choose from for the bar counter
- Bar counter lighting: design and functionality
How to design the right bar counter lighting
Bar counter lighting requires the perfect balance between decorative lighting and technical lighting.
Indeed, it is essential that the surfaces intended for service and the worktops enjoy optimal task lighting levels. This will allow staff to work smoothly and respond to customer needs quickly.
On the other hand, customers sitting at the counter expect to consume their drink immersed in a comfortable atmosphere.
Finding solutions that can meet these needs may seem difficult, but it is not impossible. With our advice, you will be able to select the ideal lamps for this station.
Therefore, a successful lighting design project requires you to take into consideration a series of factors, which allow you to establish how to correctly illuminate a bar counter.
- Define the atmosphere you want to set;
- Consider natural light sources so that they integrate into the lighting design project;
- Calculate how many bar lamps are needed for the project, considering both task light sources and those necessary for accent lighting.
- Consider the location's style and the target to which it is addressed.
Finally, the designer will have to carefully evaluate the materials with which the counter surface is made. If they are reflective materials, you must ensure that the lighting at the bar counter does not create annoying reflections.
How to illuminate a bar counter: the various options
The use of a specific lamp model varies depending on the design of the bar area and the type of lighting desired for the countertop. In fact, this station can be conceived in different forms, each of them designed to accommodate customers differently.
Much will depend on the style you want for the location and the target you want to address. A bar that works mainly during the day will require different stylistic and lighting choices compared to a trendy place that organizes exclusive happy hours.
It will be necessary to calculate how many lumens are needed for the venue as a whole, and the specific needs of the counter.
This station, in fact, can be conceived in different forms, each of which is designed to accommodate customers differently.
Specifically, we are talking about the countertop:
- A straight bar;
- An “L”: consisting of two shelves arranged precisely in an "L";
- A “U”: classic horseshoe shape;
- Corner bar: structure similar to the "L" with the addition of a shelf at 45° between the two main bars.
Naturally, the number of light points needed increases or decreases based on the extension of the bar’s worktop. However, this task area should enjoy distributed lighting along the entire surface.
Restaurant lighting: lamps to choose from for the bar counter
Whatever the configuration of the counter and the style of the room, a good idea is to choose suspension lamps to illuminate the bar counter. They are the perfect solution to offer the right lighting by adding an unmistakable touch of style.
This also applies to the lighting of a restaurant counter which, although used less by customers, deserves just as much attention.
Whether they are transparent and bright, minimal or opulent, based on the type of material and shapes chosen, suspension lamps furnish and illuminate, used both individually and in clusters.
In addition to being an excellent source of task light, they have the extraordinary ability to decorate and embellish any environment, filling and enriching it with fascinating and evocative luminous notes.
So let's look at some bar lamp ideas by Karman to be inspired by.
Black Out
Alì and Baba and 24 Karati: suspensions for a luminous counter
As we have said, the most used solutions for bar counter lighting are suspension lamps.
In addition to being excellent directional light sources that hang from the ceiling, they are also pleasant decorative elements. Furthermore, they are extremely versatile and adaptable to any bar furnishing configuration.
For example, a cascade of 24 Karati suspension lamps lends itself perfectly to the lighting of a straight bar counter, giving the observer a visual experience of great impact.
The different shapes of the lamps made by Matteo Ugolini, in transparent straw yellow glass, dominate the environment with elegance and create a dynamic atmosphere. The light passes through the fine vitreous matter and diffuses soft and subtle light, illuminating the workstation optimally.
Also, Alì and Babà, with its simple, material structure, is perfect for this workstation. The white ceramic lampshade with an elongated shape directs the light onto the work surface, ensuring clear and direct illumination. This suspension model, designed by Matteo Ugolini, in addition to illuminating the counter, acts as a sophisticated decorative element.
Alì e Babà
Moby Dick: a stylish choice for bars and restaurants
Now let's move on to a suspension lamp whose name evokes, not surprisingly, the character of the famous novel by Herman Melville. Moby Dick stands out for its sculptural shape with curved lines, which evoke the profile of a whale.
Made with white fiberglass, with a unique and unusual shape, it is so sinuous and fascinating that it is able to capture the observer's gaze and seduce their senses.
Thanks to its refined play of light and shadow, it adapts to both minimal environments and more decorative contexts. The lamp can both provide direct and functional lighting to the bar counter and decorate spaces while maintaining the class and refinement that distinguish it.
Moby Dick
Nando, to illuminate an industrial style bar counter
Generally, the style of lighting is decided when you start designing the lighting of a restaurant or bar counter. Industrial style lamps are very popular and can marry happily with any furnishing concept, making them extremely versatile.
For example, Nando, a suspension lamp designed by designers Luca De Bona and Dario De Meo, has an extremely minimal design. The lamp consists only of a micro-perforated tube and a metal joint.
This solution, installed individually or in a composition above the counter, provides the entire surface with functional light points, and, thanks to its inimitable decorative capacity, gives an innovative and refined look to the room.
The right choice could also be to match Nando with other creatively designed lamps, such as, Snoob. It's a chandelier for the bar counter with an impressive shape.
The chandelier, created by Matteo Ugolini, has sinuous arms but without any excess. This lamp is the product of careful stylistic research aimed at extreme cleanliness and essentiality.
Sahara: classic and innovative bar counter lighting
For those looking for classic and evocative but unpredictable shapes, the perfect solution could be Sahara. This suspension lamp has a robust, material structure that will be able to best illuminate the task surfaces of the counter.
Suspended from a broad ceiling, this lamp will be able to decorate the environment, and add an elegant touch of intense color to your room.
The shape obviously recalls that of the large desert cacti, with the lampshade available in brilliant white or emerald green ceramic. The particular process of oxidation makes each piece original and different from the others.
Sahara
Domenica, Ginger, and Ceraunavolta: light and elegance
Domenica is a suspension lamp with great aesthetic value. It has a characteristic bell shape, adapts to the "corner bar", and offers special light magic.
Warm and intense brightness escapes from the white plaster lampshade and seems to radiate along the golden metal mesh, spreading directly onto the work surface.
Domenica
For an authentic note of class and style, Cerunavolta is perfect, for example, for lighting a bar counter with a straight or "L" bar.
They are transparent blown glass clouds with an enchanting appearance, designed by Edmondo Testaguzza and Matteo Ugolini, which can be used individually or in a composition. They will sparkle like real crystals above the counter and will guarantee decorative and functional lighting to the entire area.
Ceraunavolta
With Ginger, the glass takes on shapes with a retro flavor in straw yellow.This suspension lamp ensures direct and filtered light, delineating a comfortable and ideal climate in order to spend time sitting at the counter enjoying excellent visibility.
Ginger
Bar counter lighting: design and functionality
We have seen how the counter of a bar or restaurant should enjoy optimal brightness, guaranteeing the undisturbed performance of activities and, at the same time, of a persuasive and vibrant atmosphere from an aesthetic point of view.
In this sense, we have said how suspension lamps appear to be the most valid solution for illuminating the bar counter. In fact, they fill the spaces, enriching the environment in style and taste, like real design accessories. They also guarantee essential levels of task lighting to the entire counter.
The ideal solutions for this area not only combine functionality and style but also have essential features to ensure quality interior lighting:
- They create atmosphere;
- They illuminate the entire surface;
- They guide guests to areas of interest;
- They adapt to the style of the location and its target.
To transform a lighting design project for the lighting of a bar into a successful undertaking of great technical value, the secret is to identify lamps capable of responding to the practical and stylistic needs of the entire area.
