Lighting Advice for Shops

Types of Lighting

• There are three types of lighting: task lighting, ambient lighting and accent lighting. Task lighting provides light for specific tasks such as reading, sewing or doing paperwork. Ambient lighting provides a room with light, allowing people to move around safely. Accent lighting adds drama and focus to a space. Shops should focus on ambient and accent lighting to create an inviting atmosphere. Small bulbs can highlight specific merchandise better than a brighter halogen or impersonal fluorescent bulb can.

Ambient Lighting for Shops

• If your shop or workspace has windows, make good use of natural light by keeping the windows clean and cleared of objects so that light can flow through unimpeded. Alternatively, merchandise can be placed in windows to entice shoppers into the store; window displays can be lit not only by natural light but also by appropriately placed accent lights. Natural light is a healthy form of light that produces an inviting atmosphere. Besides natural light, ambient light can come from floor and table lamps and even chandeliers placed in specific spots to light up a dark corner, highlight a specific area and offer general lighting for safety reasons.

Accent Lighting for Shops

• Accent lighting creates an air of excitement by focusing attention to a specific area or object. Torchieres are good sources of accent lighting and can make a dark corner inviting and available for displaying merchandise. Recessed lighting, wall sconces and track lights also are effective accent lights that can be used to put focus on special merchandise or individual pieces to draw customers' attention.

Creating Effects with Lighting

• Funky spotlights can be great accent lighting for shops with a more modern decorating style; chandeliers, on the other hand, create an air of romance. Ambient lighting from floor and table lamps create a homey, comfortable atmosphere that can make shoppers feel safe and at ease. Decorated table lamps, such as in the Victorian style, can also create an air of romance and history. The important point is to first consider the atmosphere you want your shop to have and then invest in the type of lighting that will create that feeling in your shop. Toiletry shops, for example, may lean towards more romantic-style lighting, while a clothing shop catering to younger people may lean towards a modern look.