When designing a hospitality space, the interplay between paint colours and lighting can make or break the atmosphere you’re trying to create. As seasoned hospitality painters, we’ve transformed countless restaurants, hotels, and cafés across Perth, and we’ve learned that even the perfect paint colour can appear dramatically different under various lighting conditions.
The Science Behind Light and Colour
Paint colours don’t actually possess colour themselves; they reflect certain wavelengths of light while absorbing others. This means the type of lighting in your space fundamentally changes how your carefully selected colours appear to guests.
Different light sources emit different colour temperatures, measured in Kelvin (K):
- Warm lighting (2700-3000K): Creates cosy, intimate atmospheres ideal for fine dining
- Natural daylight (5000-6500K): Renders colours most accurately, perfect for cafés with large windows
- Cool lighting (3100-4500K): Provides clarity and alertness, suitable for quick-service venues
Common Lighting Challenges in Hospitality Spaces
The Changing Face of Natural Light
Natural light shifts throughout the day, transforming your space from morning to evening. A soft grey that looks perfectly balanced at noon might appear flat and lifeless during sunset hours. We recommend testing paint samples at different times of day before committing to a colour scheme.
Artificial Lighting Considerations
The type of fixtures you choose dramatically impacts colour perception:
Incandescent and halogen lighting enhances warm tones like reds and oranges while softening blues and greens; ideal for creating intimate dining experiences.
LED lighting, depending on its colour temperature, can either enhance or diminish certain hues. Cool LEDs might make warm-toned walls appear dull, while warm LEDs can make cool colours look muddy.
Fluorescent lighting tends to emphasise blues and greens while flattening warmer tones; something to consider carefully in food service areas where appetising presentation is crucial.
Strategic Colour Selection for Different Hospitality Environments
Restaurants and Bars
For evening-focused venues, we often recommend deeper, richer colours that absorb some light to create intimacy. However, these same colours need careful lighting design to prevent spaces from feeling too dark or cramped.
A recent project for a Perth wine bar demonstrates this balance. We selected a deep burgundy for feature walls but paired it with strategically placed wall sconces to create pools of warm light that enhanced the colour’s richness.
Read more: What Colour to Paint a Restaurant
Hotels and Accommodation
In hotel rooms, lighting needs change throughout the day. We typically recommend versatile neutrals with subtle undertones that respond well to both natural daylight and evening lighting.
Layered lighting, combining ambient, task, and accent lighting, allows guests to adjust the atmosphere to their needs while ensuring your paint colours remain attractive in all scenarios.
Cafés and Daytime Venues
For spaces primarily used during daylight hours, colours that perform well in natural light are essential. We often select colours with a slightly higher LRV (Light Reflectance Value) to maximise brightness and energy.
Read more: The Impact of Colour Selection on Perth Hospitality Businesses
Professional Tips from Our Experience
After completing dozens of hospitality projects, we’ve developed some reliable approaches:
1. Always test large paint samples (at least 1m square) on different walls and evaluate them throughout the day and evening
2. Consider how your lighting plan and paint colours work together as a unified system
3. Remember that glossier finishes reflect more light and can appear brighter, but also show imperfections
4. Factor in how furnishings and décor will reflect coloured light onto walls
The most successful hospitality spaces create a seamless experience where lighting and colour work in harmony to support your brand identity and desired atmosphere. At Hammer and Brush, we approach every hospitality project holistically, considering how paint colours will perform under your specific lighting conditions to create spaces that delight your guests at all hours.
Get in touch for a consultation where we can explore options tailored to your unique venue.
Related posts:
